mit-presentation

Generate academic PowerPoint decks from the official MIT Arial template using python-pptx.

Updated Sep 2, 2026

Search Tags:#template #powerpoint #presentation #pptx #slides #python-pptx #mit

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/ricfulop/cba-agentic-engineering-bootstrap --skill mit-presentation-ricfulop

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: mit-presentation
Source: https://github.com/ricfulop/cba-agentic-engineering-bootstrap/tree/main/skills/mit-presentation
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/ricfulop/cba-agentic-engineering-bootstrap --skill mit-presentation-ricfulop

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires python-pptx, and includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve? Creating MIT-affiliated talks and course slides often means manually rebuilding layouts and guessing brand rules. This Skill builds decks directly on the official MIT PowerPoint template so every slide uses the correct Arial typography, MIT red accent color, and approved layouts. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Official Template Decks: Opens the official MIT Arial template and adds title, section divider, quote, and content slides on its built-in layouts. - Brand Compliance: Enforces Arial throughout, MIT red RGB (163, 31, 52) for emphasis, and the Center for Bits and Atoms affiliation line. - Scriptable Generation: A python-pptx helper script accepts title, subtitle, affiliation, and output path arguments for repeatable deck creation. - Use Case: Prepare a CBA research talk by generating a branded .pptx skeleton with a title slide and section content slides, then fill in research results. ## Quick Start Ask the assistant to build an MIT-branded PowerPoint deck titled with your talk name using the mit-presentation skill and save it as talk.pptx.

Frequently Asked Questions about mit-presentation

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I create a PowerPoint deck from the MIT template in Python?▼

Run the mit_pptx.py script with --title, --subtitle, and --outfile arguments. It opens the official MIT Arial template and adds a title slide plus content slides using the template's built-in layouts.

How to add slides to an existing pptx with python-pptx?▼

Load the file with Presentation(path), then call prs.slides.add_slide with a slide layout index. The helper uses layout 0 for title, 3 for section dividers, and 4 for quotes, filling placeholders with Arial text.

What fonts and colors does the MIT presentation template use?▼

The template uses Arial throughout with MIT red RGB (163, 31, 52) for emphasis and black or white from the template. The default affiliation is Center for Bits and Atoms, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Why does the script fail with a template missing error?▼

The script raises FileNotFoundError when the official MIT template pptx is not present at the expected plugin path. Pass a custom path with the --template argument or restore the template file in the templates directory.

Can I use the MIT logo and template for non-MIT presentations?▼

No. The MIT marks and official template are restricted to MIT-affiliated academic use, as stated in the brand guidelines. Do not add confidential footers or third-party lockups to the decks.