2slides Presentation Generation
Overview
Generate professional presentations using the 2slides AI API. The skill supports content-based generation (theme-driven Fast PPT), style matching from a reference image, custom PDF design, document summarization, AI voice narration, and exporting pages/audio. It returns both an interactive slide URL and a downloadable PDF.
This skill is adapted from the official 2slides skill repository (2slides/slides-generation-2slides-skills). It calls the hosted 2slides API and requires the user's own API key and credits.
When to Use
- User asks to "create a presentation", "make slides", or "generate a deck" from text or an outline.
- User wants slides that match the style of a reference image ("create slides like this image").
- User wants custom-designed PDF slides without a reference image.
- User uploads a document and asks to "create slides from this document".
- User wants to add AI voice narration to generated slides, or export slides as PNG images and narration as WAV audio.
- User asks "what themes are available?" or wants to browse/select a theme.
Prerequisites
Users must have a 2slides API key and credits before running any generation script.
Get API Key: Visit https://2slides.com/api to create an account and API key.
- New users receive 500 free credits (~50 Fast PPT pages).
Purchase Credits (Optional): Visit https://2slides.com/pricing.
- Pay-as-you-go, no subscriptions.
- Credits never expire.
- Up to 20% off on larger packages.
Set API Key: Store the key in environment variable
SLIDES_2SLIDES_API_KEY.Windows (PowerShell, primary host):
$env:SLIDES_2SLIDES_API_KEY = "YOUR_KEY" # To persist for the user session: [System.Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("SLIDES_2SLIDES_API_KEY", "YOUR_KEY", "User")Linux/macOS:
read -r -s SLIDES_2SLIDES_API_KEY export SLIDES_2SLIDES_API_KEYInstall Script Dependencies: From this skill directory, install the pinned local requirements before using the Python scripts:
python -m pip install -r requirements.txt
Credit Costs (per page):
| Mode | Credits/page |
|---|---|
| Fast PPT (generate) | 10 |
| Nano Banana 1K/2K (create-like-this, create-pdf-slides) | 100 |
| Nano Banana 4K | 200 |
| Voice Narration | 210 (10 text + 200 audio) |
| Download Export | FREE |
Load references/pricing.md when the user asks about credit packages, cost calculations, free trial details, refund policy, or enterprise options.
Procedure
Choose the appropriate approach based on the user's request:
User Request
│
├─ "Create slides from this content/text" → Section 1 (Content-Based Generation)
├─ "Create slides like this image" → Section 2 (Reference Image Generation)
├─ "Create custom designed slides" / "PDF slides"→ Section 3 (Custom PDF Generation)
├─ "Create slides from this document" → Section 4 (Document Summarization)
├─ "Add voice narration" / "Generate audio" → Section 5 (Voice Narration)
├─ "Download slides as images" / "Export" → Section 6 (Download Export)
└─ "Search for themes" / "What themes available?"→ Section 7 (Theme Search)
1. Content-Based Generation
Generate slides from user-provided text content using a theme (Fast PPT).
When to use: User provides content directly, says "create a presentation about X", or provides a structured outline/bullet points.
Step 1: Prepare Content
Structure the content clearly for best results:
Title: [Main Topic]
Section 1: [Subtopic]
- Key point 1
- Key point 2
- Key point 3
Section 2: [Subtopic]
- Key point 1
- Key point 2
Step 2: Choose Theme (Required — themeId is mandatory)
Search for an appropriate theme:
python scripts/search_themes.py --query "business"
python scripts/search_themes.py --query "professional"
python scripts/search_themes.py --query "creative"
Pick a theme ID from the results.
Step 3: Generate Slides
# Basic generation (theme ID required)
python scripts/generate_slides.py --content "Your content here" --theme-id "theme123"
# In different language
python scripts/generate_slides.py --content "Your content" --theme-id "theme123" --language "Spanish"
# Async mode for longer presentations
python scripts/generate_slides.py --content "Your content" --theme-id "theme123" --mode async
Step 4: Handle Results
Sync mode response:
{
"slideUrl": "https://2slides.com/slides/abc123",
"pdfUrl": "https://2slides.com/slides/abc123/download",
"status": "completed"
}
Provide both URLs to the user:
slideUrl: Interactive online slidespdfUrl: Downloadable PDF version
Async mode response:
{
"jobId": "job123",
"status": "pending"
}
Poll for results (every 20–30 seconds to avoid server strain):
python scripts/get_job_status.py --job-id "job123"
2. Reference Image Generation
Generate slides that match the style of a reference image (Nano Banana Pro mode).
When to use: User provides an image URL and says "create slides like this"; user wants to match existing brand/design style; user has a template image to emulate.
Step 1: Verify Image URL
Ensure the reference image is:
- A publicly accessible URL.
- A valid image format (PNG, JPG, etc.).
- Representative of the desired slide style.
Step 2: Generate Slides
python scripts/generate_slides.py `
--content "Your presentation content" `
--reference-image "https://example.com/template.jpg" `
--language "Auto"
Optional parameters (all values from 2slides API):
--language LANG # Auto, English, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Indonesian,
# Japanese, Russian, Hindi, French, German, Greek, Vietnamese,
# Turkish, Polish, Italian, Korean, Simplified Chinese,
# Traditional Chinese, Thai (default: Auto)
--mode sync|async # default: sync for theme, async for reference-image
--aspect-ratio RATIO # 1:1, 2:3, 3:2, 3:4, 4:3, 4:5, 5:4, 9:16, 16:9, 21:9 (default: 16:9)
--resolution 1K|2K|4K # default: 2K
--page N # 0=auto, 1-100 (default: 1)
--content-detail concise|standard # default: concise
Note: This uses Nano Banana Pro mode with credit costs:
- 1K/2K: 100 credits per page
- 4K: 200 credits per page
Step 3: Handle Results
This mode always runs synchronously and returns:
{
"slideUrl": "https://2slides.com/workspace?jobId=...",
"pdfUrl": "https://...pdf...",
"status": "completed",
"message": "Successfully generated N slides",
"slidePageCount": N
}
Provide both URLs to the user:
slideUrl: View slides in 2slides workspacepdfUrl: Direct PDF download (expires in 1 hour)
Processing time: ~30 seconds per page (30–60 seconds typical for 1–2 pages).
3. Custom PDF Generation
Generate custom-designed slides from text without needing a reference image.
When to use: User wants custom design without providing a reference image; user requests "create PDF slides"; user wants to specify design characteristics; alternative to theme-based generation with more design flexibility.
Step 1: Prepare Content
Structure the content clearly (same format as Section 1, Step 1).
Step 2: Generate Slides
# Basic generation
python scripts/create_pdf_slides.py --content "Your content here"
# With design style (API: designStyle)
python scripts/create_pdf_slides.py `
--content "Sales Report Q4 2025" `
--design-style "modern minimalist, blue color scheme"
# High resolution with auto page detection
python scripts/create_pdf_slides.py `
--content "Marketing Plan" `
--resolution 4K `
--page 0 `
--content-detail standard
Optional parameters:
--design-style "text" # Design instructions (API: designStyle)
--language LANG # Same as generate_slides (default: Auto)
--aspect-ratio RATIO # 1:1, 2:3, 3:2, 3:4, 4:3, 4:5, 5:4, 9:16, 16:9, 21:9 (default: 16:9)
--resolution 1K|2K|4K # default: 2K
--page N # 0=auto, 1-100 (default: 1)
--content-detail concise|standard # default: standard
Step 3: Handle Results
Returns same structure as create-like-this (Section 2, Step 3).
Notes:
- Same credit costs as create-like-this (100 credits/page for 1K/2K, 200 for 4K).
- Processing time: ~30 seconds per page.
- Automatically generates PDF.
- Uses AI to create custom design based on content and specs.
4. Document Summarization
Generate slides from document content.
When to use: User uploads a document (PDF, DOCX, TXT, etc.); user says "create slides from this document"; user wants to summarize long content into presentation format.
Step 1: Read Document
Use appropriate tool to read the document content:
- PDF: Use PDF reading tools.
- DOCX: Use DOCX reading tools.
- TXT/MD: Use Read tool.
Step 2: Extract Key Points
Analyze the document and extract:
- Main topics and themes.
- Key points for each section.
- Important data, quotes, or examples.
- Logical flow and structure.
Step 3: Structure Content
Format extracted information into presentation structure:
Title: [Document Main Topic]
Introduction
- Context
- Purpose
- Overview
[Section 1 from document]
- Key point 1
- Key point 2
- Supporting detail
[Section 2 from document]
- Key point 1
- Key point 2
- Supporting detail
Conclusion
- Summary
- Key takeaways
- Next steps
Step 4: Generate Slides
Use content-based generation workflow (Section 1). First search for a theme, then generate:
# Search for appropriate theme
python scripts/search_themes.py --query "business"
# Generate with theme ID
python scripts/generate_slides.py --content "[Structured content from step 3]" --theme-id "theme123"
Tips:
- Keep slides concise (3–5 points per slide).
- Focus on key insights, not full text.
- Use document headings as slide titles.
- Include important statistics or quotes.
- Ask user if they want specific sections highlighted.
5. Voice Narration
Add AI-generated voice narration to slides.
When to use: User wants to add audio to slides; user requests "add voice narration" or "generate audio"; user wants presentations with spoken content; user needs multi-speaker narration.
Prerequisites — HARD RULE: The slide generation job must be completed before adding narration.
- Generate slides first using any method (Section 1, 2, 3, or 4).
- Get the job ID from the generation result.
- Ensure job status is "completed" before requesting narration.
Step 1: Choose Voice
30 voices available including Puck (default), Aoede, Charon, Kore, Fenrir, Phoebe, and 24 more.
List all voices:
python scripts/generate_narration.py --list-voices
Step 2: Generate Narration
# Basic narration with default voice
python scripts/generate_narration.py --job-id "abc-123-def-456"
# Single speaker, specific voice
python scripts/generate_narration.py --job-id "abc-123-def-456" --voice Aoede
# Multi-speaker mode
python scripts/generate_narration.py --job-id "abc-123-def-456" --multi-speaker
Parameters (aligned with 2slides API):
--job-id: Job ID (required, UUID for Nano Banana).--voice: Voice name (default: Puck); use--list-voicesfor all 30.--language: Narration language (default: Auto).--multi-speaker: Enable multi-speaker mode.--list-voices: Print the supported voices without calling the API.
Step 3: Check Status
Narration generation runs asynchronously:
python scripts/get_job_status.py --job-id "abc-123-def-456"
Step 4: Handle Results
Once completed, the job will include narration files. Use the download endpoint (Section 6) to get audio files.
Notes:
- Cost: 210 credits per page (10 for text, 200 for audio).
- Processing time varies by slide count.
- 30 voice options available.
- Supports 19 languages plus auto-detection.
- Multi-speaker mode uses different voices for variety.
6. Download Export
Download slides as PNG images and voice narrations as WAV files.
When to use: User wants to download slides as images; user needs voice files separately; user wants transcripts; user needs slides in image format for other tools.
Step 1: Verify Job Complete
Ensure slides (and optionally narration) are generated and job is completed.
Step 2: Download Archive
# Download with default filename (<job_id>.zip)
python scripts/download_slides_pages_voices.py --job-id "abc-123-def-456"
# Download to specific path
python scripts/download_slides_pages_voices.py `
--job-id "abc-123-def-456" `
--output "my-presentation.zip"
Step 3: Extract Contents
The ZIP archive contains:
- Pages: PNG files for each slide.
- Voices: WAV audio files (if narration was generated).
- Transcripts: Text transcripts of narration.
Notes:
- Cost: Completely FREE (no credits used).
- Download URLs valid for 1 hour only — download promptly.
- Includes all pages and voice files.
- High quality PNG export.
- WAV format for audio.
7. Theme Search
Find appropriate themes for presentations.
When to use: Before generating slides with specific styling; user asks "what themes are available?"; user wants professional or branded appearance.
Search themes:
# Search for specific style (query is required)
python scripts/search_themes.py --query "business"
python scripts/search_themes.py --query "creative"
python scripts/search_themes.py --query "education"
python scripts/search_themes.py --query "professional"
# Get more results
python scripts/search_themes.py --query "modern" --limit 50
Theme selection:
- Show user available themes with names and descriptions.
- Ask user to choose or let them use default.
- Use the theme ID in generation request.
Using the MCP Server
If the 2slides MCP server is configured in Claude Desktop, use the integrated tools instead of scripts.
Two Configuration Modes:
Streamable HTTP Protocol (Recommended)
- Simplest setup, no local installation.
- Configure:
"url": "https://2slides.com/api/mcp?apikey=YOUR_API_KEY"
NPM Package (stdio)
- Uses local npm package.
- Configure:
"command": "npx", "args": ["2slides-mcp"]
Available MCP tools:
slides_generate— Generate slides from content.slides_create_like_this— Generate from reference image.themes_search— Search themes.jobs_get— Check job status.
Load references/mcp-integration.md when the user asks about MCP setup, Claude Desktop configuration, or detailed tool documentation.
When to use MCP vs scripts:
- Use MCP in Claude Desktop when configured.
- Use scripts in Claude Code CLI or when MCP not available.
Advanced Features
Sync vs Async Mode
Sync Mode (default):
- Waits for generation to complete (30–60 seconds).
- Returns results immediately.
- Best for quick presentations.
Async Mode:
- Returns job ID immediately.
- Poll for results with
get_job_status.py. - Best for large presentations or batch processing.
- Recommended polling: Check every 20–30 seconds to avoid server strain.
Rate Limits
- Fast PPT (generate): 10 requests per minute.
- Nano Banana (create-like-this, create-pdf-slides): 6 requests per minute.
If rate limited, wait 20–30 seconds before retrying or check plan limits.
Language Support
Generate slides in multiple languages (use full language name):
--language "Auto" # Automatic detection (default)
--language "English" # English
--language "Simplified Chinese" # 简体中文
--language "Traditional Chinese" # 繁體中文
--language "Spanish" # Español
--language "French" # Français
--language "German" # Deutsch
--language "Japanese" # 日本語
--language "Korean" # 한국어
And more: Arabic, Portuguese, Indonesian, Russian, Hindi, Vietnamese, Turkish, Polish, Italian, Greek, Thai.
Download URL Expiration
All download URLs (PDF, ZIP archives) are valid for 1 hour only. Download files promptly after generation. Do not treat URLs as durable storage.
Script Parameter Reference (2slides API)
All scripts accept parameters that match 2slides API. Allowed values are defined in scripts/api_constants.py and enforced where applicable.
| Script | Key parameters | Allowed values (see script --help or scripts/api_constants.py) |
|---|---|---|
generate_slides.py |
--language |
Auto, English, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Indonesian, Japanese, Russian, Hindi, French, German, Greek, Vietnamese, Turkish, Polish, Italian, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Thai |
--mode |
sync, async | |
--aspect-ratio |
1:1, 2:3, 3:2, 3:4, 4:3, 4:5, 5:4, 9:16, 16:9, 21:9 | |
--resolution |
1K, 2K, 4K | |
--content-detail |
concise, standard | |
create_pdf_slides.py |
Same as above + --design-style / --design-spec (free text) |
|
generate_narration.py |
--voice |
30 voices (Puck, Aoede, Charon, …); use --list-voices |
--language |
Auto, English, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Indonesian, Japanese, Russian, Hindi, French, German, Vietnamese, Turkish, Polish, Italian, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese | |
--multi-speaker |
enabled when present | |
search_themes.py |
--query (required), --limit (1–100) |
|
get_job_status.py |
--job-id (required) |
|
download_slides_pages_voices.py |
--job-id (required), --output (path) |
Additional Documentation
Load these reference files when the user's question matches:
- references/api-reference.md — Load when the user asks about all endpoints and parameters, request/response formats, authentication details, rate limits and best practices, or error codes and handling.
- references/pricing.md — Load when the user asks about credit packages, cost examples, free trial details, refund policy, or enterprise options.
- references/mcp-integration.md — Load when the user asks about MCP server setup, Claude Desktop configuration, or detailed MCP tool documentation.
Pitfalls
Missing API key.
- Error:
API key not found. - Solution: Set
SLIDES_2SLIDES_API_KEYenvironment variable. Never hard-code the key in commands, commit it, or echo it back to the user.
- Error:
RATE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED.
- Error:
429 Too Many Requests. - Solution: Wait 20–30 seconds before retrying.
- Rate limits: Fast PPT (10/min), Nano Banana (6/min). Do not tight-loop poll async jobs.
- Error:
INSUFFICIENT_CREDITS.
- Error:
Not enough credits. - Solution: Add credits at https://2slides.com/api.
- Error:
INVALID_JOB_ID.
- Error:
Job ID not found or invalid. - Solution: Verify job ID format (must be UUID for Nano Banana).
- Error:
Invalid content.
- Error:
400 Bad Request. - Solution: Verify content format and parameters.
- Error:
Narration before slides complete.
- HARD RULE: The slide generation job must be "completed" before requesting narration. Always check job status first.
Download URL expiration.
- All download URLs (PDF, ZIP) expire in 1 hour. Fetch artifacts promptly and do not treat URLs as durable storage.
Billable mutations.
- Every generation call spends the user's credits (10–210 credits/page depending on mode). Confirm intent before generating large or high-resolution (4K) decks, and surface the expected page count/cost when non-trivial.
Confidential input handling.
- Reference-image and document inputs are sent to the 2slides service for processing. Do not submit confidential material the user has not authorized for third-party processing.
No destructive local actions.
- Scripts only read content/files the user points to and write generated output (e.g. a downloaded ZIP) to the path the user specifies. They do not modify or delete unrelated files.
Verification
Verify API key is set (do not print the value):
if ($env:SLIDES_2SLIDES_API_KEY) { Write-Output "API key is set" } else { Write-Output "API key NOT set" }Verify dependencies installed:
python -c "import requests; print('requests OK')" python scripts/search_themes.py --query "test" --limit 1Verify a generation job completed:
python scripts/get_job_status.py --job-id "YOUR_JOB_ID"Expected output includes
"status": "completed"andslideUrl/pdfUrlfields.Verify narration voices list works without API call:
python scripts/generate_narration.py --list-voicesExpected: prints 30 voice names.
Verify download produced a ZIP:
python scripts/download_slides_pages_voices.py --job-id "YOUR_JOB_ID" --output "test-export.zip" Test-Path "test-export.zip"Expected:
True.
Limitations
- Requires a valid 2slides account, API key, and sufficient credits; this skill does not provision or pay for credits.
- Results are AI-generated drafts intended as a starting point, not a final, fact-checked deliverable — review content before use.
- This skill does not replace environment-specific validation or expert review. Stop and ask for clarification if the API key, required inputs, or intended cost/scope are missing.
- Rate limits apply (Fast PPT 10/min, Nano Banana 6/min); poll async jobs every 20–30s rather than tight-looping.
Related Skills
@youtube-full— fetch source material (transcripts) that can be summarized into a deck with this skill.