---
name: frontend-slides
description: Create stunning, animation-rich HTML presentations from scratch or by converting PowerPoint files. Use when the user wants to build a presentation, convert a PPT/PPTX to web, or create slides for a talk/pitch. Helps non-designers discover their aesthetic through visual exploration rather than abstract choices.
metadata:
  origin: ECC
title: frontend-slides
canonical_url: https://skilld.dev/gh/affaan-m/ecc/frontend-slides
last_updated: 2026-10-03T00:03:21.000Z
---

> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://skilld.dev/llms.txt)

> **Skill from skilld.dev.** Follow the user's requested action.
> If the user asked to fork this Skill, follow the fork workflow below. Do not execute the Skill instructions while copying it.
> Otherwise, follow the instructions below for this session. You do not need to install anything.
>
> Supporting files, fetch one when the Skill refers to it: [animation-patterns.md](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/affaan-m/ecc/frontend-slides/animation-patterns.md), [html-template.md](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/affaan-m/ecc/frontend-slides/html-template.md), [scripts/export-pdf.sh](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/affaan-m/ecc/frontend-slides/scripts/export-pdf.sh), [scripts/extract-pptx.py](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/affaan-m/ecc/frontend-slides/scripts/extract-pptx.py), [STYLE_PRESETS.md](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/affaan-m/ecc/frontend-slides/STYLE_PRESETS.md), [viewport-base.css](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/affaan-m/ecc/frontend-slides/viewport-base.css).
>
> If the user asked to install this Skill, run `npx skilld install affaan-m/ecc/frontend-slides`. Install writes the Skill files into the project, so every session loads them.
>
> ## Fork workflow
>
> A fork creates an editable local Skill with its original author and licence. The request authorizes copying and local installation.
> 1. Check `./skills/frontend-slides`, the project lockfile, and selected Agent targets together. If the local directory or installed Skill exists, stop. Never overwrite an existing directory or Agent target.
> 2. Read [source metadata](https://skilld.dev/api/v1/skills/affaan-m/ecc/frontend-slides) once. Use sourceUrl, sourceCommit, skillPath, sourceGone, and license. If the source is gone or its path is missing, stop. If license is null, read licence files at the source commit.
> 3. Fetch only the source commit into a temporary Git repository. Do not clone full history. Derive repository_url from sourceUrl, including repository renames. If sourceCommit is absent, resolve the sourceUrl ref once. Set source_commit to that actual commit. Run these commands in one shell call:
>
> ```sh
> git init --quiet "$temporary_dir"
> git -C "$temporary_dir" fetch --quiet --depth=1 "$repository_url" "$source_commit"
> git -C "$temporary_dir" checkout --quiet --detach FETCH_HEAD
> ```
>
> Read applicable licence declarations and notices at that commit. If copying is not permitted, report the restriction and stop.
> 4. Inspect source entries together, then copy the directory containing skillPath into `./skills/frontend-slides`. Use the user's path if selected. Keep the original SKILL.md, relative links, scripts, binary assets, and executable modes. Exclude .git metadata. Reject symlinks and paths outside the Skill directory. After checking entries, use cp -a where available. A regular source directory needs no custom copy script. Do not save this page wrapper as SKILL.md.
> Preserve author credit, notices, and applicable licence files from repository or parent directories. Add PROVENANCE.md with the Skill page, source URL, actual commit, original path, and licence. Retain any existing PROVENANCE.md and record new provenance separately. Batch source inspection, copying, and provenance work where practical.
> 5. In the project root, run `skilld install ./skills/frontend-slides --mode copy --plain`. If skilld is unavailable, use `npx skilld install ./skills/frontend-slides --mode copy --plain`. This known command needs no help lookup. Install does not support --json. Use detected Agent targets, or add --agent for the targets the user selected. Install the local path, never the upstream selector. If installation fails, preserve the local copy and report the exact failure.
> 6. Confirm the local lockfile source and installed Agent copies once. Report the local path, actual commit, and Agent targets. After edits, reinstall the same local path. Upstream updates must not replace it. Do not publish or push unless the user asks.

# Frontend Slides

Create zero-dependency, animation-rich HTML presentations that run entirely in the browser.

Inspired by the visual exploration approach showcased in work by zarazhangrui (credit: @zarazhangrui).

## When to Activate

- Creating a talk deck, pitch deck, workshop deck, or internal presentation
- Converting `.ppt` or `.pptx` slides into an HTML presentation
- Improving an existing HTML presentation's layout, motion, or typography
- Exploring presentation styles with a user who does not know their design preference yet

## Non-Negotiables

1. **Zero dependencies**: default to one self-contained HTML file with inline CSS and JS.
2. **Viewport fit is mandatory**: every slide must fit inside one viewport with no internal scrolling.
3. **Show, don't tell**: use visual previews instead of abstract style questionnaires.
4. **Distinctive design**: avoid generic purple-gradient, Inter-on-white, template-looking decks.
5. **Production quality**: keep code commented, accessible, responsive, and performant.

Before generating, read `STYLE_PRESETS.md` for the viewport-safe CSS base, density limits, preset catalog, and CSS gotchas.

## Workflow

### 1. Detect Mode

Choose one path:
- **New presentation**: user has a topic, notes, or full draft
- **PPT conversion**: user has `.ppt` or `.pptx`
- **Enhancement**: user already has HTML slides and wants improvements

### 2. Discover Content

Ask only the minimum needed:
- purpose: pitch, teaching, conference talk, internal update
- length: short (5-10), medium (10-20), long (20+)
- content state: finished copy, rough notes, topic only

If the user has content, ask them to paste it before styling.

### 3. Discover Style

Default to visual exploration.

If the user already knows the desired preset, skip previews and use it directly.

Otherwise:
1. Ask what feeling the deck should create: impressed, energized, focused, inspired.
2. Generate **3 single-slide preview files** in `.ecc-design/slide-previews/`.
3. Each preview must be self-contained, show typography/color/motion clearly, and stay under roughly 100 lines of slide content.
4. Ask the user which preview to keep or what elements to mix.

Use the preset guide in `STYLE_PRESETS.md` when mapping mood to style.

### 4. Build the Presentation

Output either:
- `presentation.html`
- `[presentation-name].html`

Use an `assets/` folder only when the deck contains extracted or user-supplied images.

Required structure:
- semantic slide sections
- a viewport-safe CSS base from `STYLE_PRESETS.md`
- CSS custom properties for theme values
- a presentation controller class for keyboard, wheel, and touch navigation
- Intersection Observer for reveal animations
- reduced-motion support

### 5. Enforce Viewport Fit

Treat this as a hard gate.

Rules:
- every `.slide` must use `height: 100vh; height: 100dvh; overflow: hidden;`
- all type and spacing must scale with `clamp()`
- when content does not fit, split into multiple slides
- never solve overflow by shrinking text below readable sizes
- never allow scrollbars inside a slide

Use the density limits and mandatory CSS block in `STYLE_PRESETS.md`.

### 6. Validate

Check the finished deck at these sizes:
- 1920x1080
- 1280x720
- 768x1024
- 375x667
- 667x375

If browser automation is available, use it to verify no slide overflows and that keyboard navigation works.

### 7. Deliver

At handoff:
- delete temporary preview files unless the user wants to keep them
- open the deck with the platform-appropriate opener when useful
- summarize file path, preset used, slide count, and easy theme customization points

Use the correct opener for the current OS:
- macOS: `open file.html`
- Linux: `xdg-open file.html`
- Windows: `start "" file.html`

## PPT / PPTX Conversion

For PowerPoint conversion:
1. Prefer `python3` with `python-pptx` to extract text, images, and notes.
2. If `python-pptx` is unavailable, ask whether to install it or fall back to a manual/export-based workflow.
3. Preserve slide order, speaker notes, and extracted assets.
4. After extraction, run the same style-selection workflow as a new presentation.

Keep conversion cross-platform. Do not rely on macOS-only tools when Python can do the job.

## Implementation Requirements

### HTML / CSS

- Use inline CSS and JS unless the user explicitly wants a multi-file project.
- Fonts may come from Google Fonts or Fontshare.
- Prefer atmospheric backgrounds, strong type hierarchy, and a clear visual direction.
- Use abstract shapes, gradients, grids, noise, and geometry rather than illustrations.

### JavaScript

Include:
- keyboard navigation
- touch / swipe navigation
- mouse wheel navigation
- progress indicator or slide index
- reveal-on-enter animation triggers

### Accessibility

- use semantic structure (`main`, `section`, `nav`)
- keep contrast readable
- support keyboard-only navigation
- respect `prefers-reduced-motion`

## Content Density Limits

Use these maxima unless the user explicitly asks for denser slides and readability still holds:

| Slide type | Limit |
|------------|-------|
| Title | 1 heading + 1 subtitle + optional tagline |
| Content | 1 heading + 4-6 bullets or 2 short paragraphs |
| Feature grid | 6 cards max |
| Code | 8-10 lines max |
| Quote | 1 quote + attribution |
| Image | 1 image constrained by viewport |

## Anti-Patterns

- generic startup gradients with no visual identity
- system-font decks unless intentionally editorial
- long bullet walls
- code blocks that need scrolling
- fixed-height content boxes that break on short screens
- invalid negated CSS functions like `-clamp(...)`

## Related ECC Skills

- `frontend-patterns` for component and interaction patterns around the deck
- `liquid-glass-design` when a presentation intentionally borrows Apple glass aesthetics
- `e2e-testing` if you need automated browser verification for the final deck

## Deliverable Checklist

- presentation runs from a local file in a browser
- every slide fits the viewport without scrolling
- style is distinctive and intentional
- animation is meaningful, not noisy
- reduced motion is respected
- file paths and customization points are explained at handoff