ARPAHLS · rosspeili · Sep 4, 2026 · Sep 3, 2026 · Sep 4, 2026
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ Contributors add user-facing entries under `[Unreleased]` in the same PR. Mainta
 ### Added
 
 - **CLI:** `skillware theme [pastel|ocean|mono]` subcommand — set or interactively choose the global presentation theme; `--help` topic index now includes Context, Chains, and Theme alongside existing groups.
+- **Skill (`creative/deck_builder` v0.1.0):** Deterministic Microsoft PowerPoint (`.pptx`) presentation assembly from structured JSON deck specifications — 10 slide layout types (title, section, bullets, two-column, image, image with caption, quote, table, chart, blank), 3 bundled 16:9 widescreen master templates (pitch, corporate, minimal), theme token customization, pre-flight validation with soft-limit truncation warnings, directory traversal defenses, and inspection actions (#276).
 
 ### Changed
 

diff --git a/docs/skills/README.md b/docs/skills/README.md
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ Skills for image processing, media editing, and creative utilities.
 | Skill | ID | Version | Issuer | Description |
 | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
 | **[Background Remover](bg_remover.md)** | `creative/bg_remover` | `0.2.0` (2 Aug 2026) | [@AyushSrivastava1818](https://github.com/AyushSrivastava1818) ([@ARPAHLS](https://github.com/ARPAHLS)) | Removes image backgrounds locally using rembg and returns transparent PNGs. |
+| **[Deck Builder](deck_builder.md)** | `creative/deck_builder` | `0.1.0` (3 Sep 2026) | [@tusharjamunkar](https://github.com/tusharjamunkar) ([@ARPAHLS](https://github.com/ARPAHLS)) | Deterministic PowerPoint (.pptx) presentation assembly from structured JSON deck specs. |
 
 ## Finance
 Tools for financial analysis, blockchain interaction, and regulatory compliance.

diff --git a/docs/skills/deck_builder.md b/docs/skills/deck_builder.md
@@ -0,0 +1,229 @@
+# Deck Builder
+
+**ID**: `creative/deck_builder`  
+**Issuer**: [@tusharjamunkar](https://github.com/tusharjamunkar) ([@ARPAHLS](https://github.com/ARPAHLS))  
+<!-- skill-doc-meta:begin -->
+**Version**: `0.1.0`
+<!-- skill-doc-meta:end -->
+
+**Recommended install:** `pip install "skillware[creative_deck_builder]"`. See [Install extras](../usage/install_extras.md).  
+**Category**: Creative
+
+[Skill Library](README.md) · [Testing](../TESTING.md)
+
+Deterministic, offline assembly of Microsoft PowerPoint (`.pptx`) presentations from structured JSON deck specifications. Supports multi-slide layouts (title, section, bullets, two-column, image, image with caption, quote, table, chart, blank), custom theme token overrides, speaker notes, and pre-flight validation.
+
+## Capabilities
+
+- **Deterministic Assembly**: Generates standard editable `.pptx` documents without remote network calls or image generation APIs.
+- **10 Layout Types**: Supports cover titles, section headers, bullet lists, two-column comparisons, images, image captions, pull-quotes, tables, native OpenXML charts (bar, line, pie), and blank canvases.
+- **Pre-flight Validation (`validate_spec`)**: Validates JSON specifications against strict JSON Schema and flags soft-limit warnings (e.g. text truncations, missing assets) before writing to disk.
+- **Widescreen 16:9 Templates**: Bundles 3 distinct master templates (`pitch_v1`, `corporate_v1`, `minimal_v1`) with configurable font and accent color tokens.
+- **Inspection (`inspect`)**: Examines existing `.pptx` files and extracts slide counts, layout hints, titles, and speaker notes presence.
+- **Asset Normalization**: Ingests local file paths or Base64 image payloads with Pillow validation and directory traversal defenses.
+
+## Actions
+
+| Action | Parameters | Description |
+| :--- | :--- | :--- |
+| `validate_spec` *(default)* | `deck_spec`, `strict` *(optional)* | Validates `deck_spec` against JSON schema and business rules without writing files. |
+| `render` | `deck_spec`, `output_path`, `template_id` *(optional)*, `theme` *(optional)*, `strict` *(optional)* | Assembles slides, applies theme tokens, inserts images/charts, writes `.pptx` to disk. |
+| `inspect` | `input_path` | Reads an existing `.pptx` presentation and returns slide counts, titles, layout names, and notes presence. |
+| `list_templates` | *(none)* | Enumerates bundled template IDs, names, descriptions, and aspect ratios. |
+
+## Slide Layouts
+
+| Type | Description | Key Fields |
+| :--- | :--- | :--- |
+| `title` | Cover slide | `title`, `subtitle`, optional `image`, optional `speaker_notes` |
+| `section` | Section divider | `title`, optional `subtitle`, optional `speaker_notes` |
+| `bullets` | Bulleted takeaways | `title`, `bullets` (array of strings; >120 chars emits warning), `speaker_notes` |
+| `two_column` | Comparison / two-panel layout | `title`, `left` (text/bullets), `right` (text/bullets), `speaker_notes` |
+| `image` | Visual showcase | `title`, `image` (path or base64), optional `caption`, `speaker_notes` |
+| `image_caption` | Image with side text | `title`, `image`, `body` (explanatory text), `speaker_notes` |
+| `quote` | Pull quote | `quote`, `attribution`, `speaker_notes` |
+| `table` | Tabular data grid | `title`, `columns`, `rows`, `speaker_notes` |
+| `chart` | Data visualization | `title`, `chart` (`kind`: `bar`/`line`/`pie`, `categories`, `series`), `speaker_notes` |
+| `blank` | Clean canvas | optional `speaker_notes` |
+
+## Usage Examples
+
+Guides: [Usage index](../usage/README.md) · [Agent loops](../usage/agent_loops.md)
+
+### Direct execute
+
+```python
+from skillware.core.loader import SkillLoader
+
+bundle = SkillLoader.load_skill("creative/deck_builder")
+skill = bundle["class"]()
+
+spec = {
+    "title": "Quarterly Briefing",
+    "template_id": "pitch_v1",
+    "slides": [
+        {"type": "title", "title": "Quarterly Briefing", "subtitle": "Executive Overview"},
+        {"type": "bullets", "title": "Highlights", "bullets": ["Revenue up 24%", "Shipped 12 skills"]},
+    ],
+}
+
+# Pre-flight validation
+val = skill.execute({"action": "validate_spec", "deck_spec": spec})
+print("Valid:", val["valid"])
+
+# Render presentation
+result = skill.execute({"action": "render", "deck_spec": spec, "output_path": "briefing.pptx"})
+print("Rendered:", result["output_path"], result["slide_count"], "slides")
+```
+
+### Claude (Anthropic Tool Use)
+
+```python
+import os
+import anthropic
+from skillware.core.env import load_env_file
+from skillware.core.loader import SkillLoader
+
+load_env_file()
+bundle = SkillLoader.load_skill("creative/deck_builder")
+skill = bundle["class"]()
+tool = SkillLoader.to_claude_tool(bundle)
+client = anthropic.Anthropic(api_key=os.environ.get("ANTHROPIC_API_KEY"))
+
+response = client.messages.create(
+    model="claude-3-7-sonnet-20250219",
+    max_tokens=1024,
+    tools=[tool],
+    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Assemble a 5-slide investor pitch deck for our AI platform."}],
+)
+```
+
+### OpenAI (Function Calling)
+
+```python
+import os
+from openai import OpenAI
+from skillware.core.env import load_env_file
+from skillware.core.loader import SkillLoader
+
+load_env_file()
+bundle = SkillLoader.load_skill("creative/deck_builder")
+skill = bundle["class"]()
+openai_tool = SkillLoader.to_openai_tool(bundle)
+client = OpenAI(api_key=os.environ.get("OPENAI_API_KEY"))
+
+response = client.chat.completions.create(
+    model="gpt-4o",
+    tools=[openai_tool],
+    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Build a quarterly review presentation with a revenue chart."}],
+)
+```
+
+### DeepSeek
+
+```python
+import os
+from openai import OpenAI
+from skillware.core.env import load_env_file
+from skillware.core.loader import SkillLoader
+
+load_env_file()
+bundle = SkillLoader.load_skill("creative/deck_builder")
+skill = bundle["class"]()
+deepseek_tool = SkillLoader.to_deepseek_tool(bundle)
+client = OpenAI(
+    api_key=os.environ.get("DEEPSEEK_API_KEY"),
+    base_url="https://api.deepseek.com",
+)
+
+response = client.chat.completions.create(
+    model="deepseek-chat",
+    tools=[deepseek_tool],
+    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Validate and render a technical architecture deck."}],
+)
+```
+
+### Ollama (Local LLMs)
+
+Prompt-based tool calling or system prompt injection. Pull a model such as `gemma3` or `qwen3.5`, then follow [Ollama usage](../usage/ollama.md):
+
+```python
+from skillware.core.loader import SkillLoader
+
+bundle = SkillLoader.load_skill("creative/deck_builder")
+system_tool_prompt = SkillLoader.to_ollama_prompt(bundle)
+```
+
+### Gemini
+
+```python
+import os
+import google.genai as genai
+from skillware.core.loader import SkillLoader
+from skillware.core.env import load_env_file
+
+load_env_file()
+bundle = SkillLoader.load_skill("creative/deck_builder")
+tool = SkillLoader.to_gemini_tool(bundle)
+skill = bundle["class"]()
+client = genai.Client(api_key=os.environ["GOOGLE_API_KEY"])
+
+response = client.models.generate_content(
+    model="gemini-2.5-flash",
+    contents="Assemble a deck specification into a presentation.",
+    config=genai.types.GenerateContentConfig(tools=[tool]),
+)
+```
+
+### Skill Chaining (with `creative/bg_remover`)
+
+Compose with other skills using host orchestration or `SkillContext` (see [Skill chaining](../usage/skill_chaining.md)). For example, remove backgrounds from brand logos or product photos with [`creative/bg_remover`](bg_remover.md) before passing the transparent PNG into `creative/deck_builder`:
+
+```python
+from skillware import SkillContext
+
+ctx = SkillContext(skills=["creative/bg_remover", "creative/deck_builder"])
+
+# Step 1: Strip background from raw logo or product image
+bg_res = ctx.execute("creative/bg_remover", {"input_path": "assets/raw_logo.jpg"})
+
+# Step 2: Assemble presentation using the transparent PNG
+deck_spec = {
+    "title": "Product Launch",
+    "template_id": "pitch_v1",
+    "slides": [
+        {
+            "type": "title",
+            "title": "Autonomous Infrastructure",
+            "subtitle": "Q4 Executive Review",
+            "image": {"base64": bg_res["image_base64"], "mime_type": "image/png"},
+        },
+        {
+            "type": "bullets",
+            "title": "Highlights",
+            "bullets": ["100% offline assembly", "Deterministic slide layout"],
+        },
+    ],
+}
+render_res = ctx.execute(
+    "creative/deck_builder",
+    {"action": "render", "deck_spec": deck_spec, "output_path": "launch_deck.pptx"},
+)
+print("Rendered:", render_res["output_path"], "with", render_res["slide_count"], "slides")
+```
+
+---
+
+<!-- skill-history:begin -->
+## Skill history
+
+Commits that touched this skill bundle or its catalog page ([`creative/deck_builder`](https://github.com/ARPAHLS/skillware/tree/main/skills/creative/deck_builder)).
+
+| Commit | Description | Date | Version | Contributors |
+| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
+| [`a66e76e`](https://github.com/ARPAHLS/skillware/commit/a66e76e) | feat(creative): add deck_builder skill for deterministic PPTX assembly (#276) | 4 Sep 2026 | 0.1.0 | [@tusharjamunkar](https://github.com/tusharjamunkar) |
+<!-- skill-history:end -->
+
+## Enterprise disclaimer
+
+This skill is provided for demonstration and integration purposes. It is intended as a starting point that you can adapt to your own data, schemas, and operational requirements. For an enterprise-grade version of this skill with dedicated support, SLAs, and customization, contact skills@arpacorp.net.
diff --git a/docs/usage/agent_loops.md b/docs/usage/agent_loops.md
@@ -146,6 +146,7 @@ skills in one harness.
 | `security/prompt_injection_firewall` | `prompt_injection_firewall_demo.py`, `sanitize_input_chain_demo.py` (local execute) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) |
 | `security/deceptive_ui_guard` | `deceptive_ui_guard_demo.py` (local execute) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) |
 | `creative/bg_remover` | `bg_remover_demo.py` (local execute) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) |
+| `creative/deck_builder` | `deck_builder_demo.py` (local execute) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) |
 | `optimization/prompt_rewriter` | `prompt_compression_demo.py`, `sanitize_input_chain_demo.py` (local execute) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | `ollama_skills_test.py` (multi-skill) |
 | `data_engineering/synthetic_generator` | `build_dataset_demo.py` (local execute, Gemini backend) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) |
 | `data_engineering/novelty_extractor` | `novelty_extractor_demo.py` (local execute) | `gemini_novelty_extractor.py` | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | (catalog page) | `ollama_novelty_extractor.py` |

diff --git a/docs/usage/install_extras.md b/docs/usage/install_extras.md
@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ One extra per bundled registry skill. Naming: `{category}_{skill_name}` (registr
 | `compliance_pii_masker` | `compliance/pii_masker` | *(none today)* | Use this extra in docs and installs |
 | `compliance_tos_evaluator` | `compliance/tos_evaluator` | *(none today)* | Use this extra in docs and installs |
 | `creative_bg_remover` | `creative/bg_remover` | `rembg`, `pillow`, `onnxruntime` | |
+| `creative_deck_builder` | `creative/deck_builder` | `python-pptx>=1.0.0`, `pillow` | Editable PowerPoint presentation assembly |
 | `data_engineering_novelty_extractor` | `data_engineering/novelty_extractor` | `fastembed`, `numpy` | |
 | `data_engineering_synthetic_generator` | `data_engineering/synthetic_generator` | *(none today)* | Use this extra in docs and installs |
 | `defi_evm_tx_handler` | `defi/evm_tx_handler` | `web3>=6.0.0` | |

diff --git a/examples/README.md b/examples/README.md
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ pip install -e ".[dev,all,agents]"
 | `gemini_uk_companies_house_handler.py` | `finance/uk_companies_house_handler` | Gemini | `[finance_uk_companies_house_handler]`, `[gemini]` | `GOOGLE_API_KEY`, `COMPANIES_HOUSE_API_KEY` | Interactive v2b loop: composites, pipelines, disambiguation, partial previews. |
 | `uk_companies_house_handler_demo.py` | `finance/uk_companies_house_handler` | Local execute | `[finance_uk_companies_house_handler]` | None | Mocked v2b flows: composite, run_pipeline, disambiguation resume, partial officers preview. |
 | `bg_remover_demo.py` | `creative/bg_remover` | Local execute | `[creative_bg_remover]` | None | Demonstrates offline background removal from a local image and optionally writes a transparent PNG. |
+| `deck_builder_demo.py` | `creative/deck_builder` | Local execute | `[creative_deck_builder]` | None | Demonstrates offline presentation assembly from JSON deck specs with charts, tables, bullets, and speaker notes. |
 | `gmail_handler_demo.py` | `office/gmail_handler` | Local execute | `[office_gmail_handler]` | None | Mocked resolve, preview/send gate, search, and read flow (no Gmail credentials). |
 | `gmail_signature_test_send.py` | `office/gmail_handler` | Local execute | `[office_gmail_handler]` | `GMAIL_ADDRESS`, `GMAIL_APP_PASSWORD`; run `skillware mail signature init` first | Preview or send one test message to verify plain + HTML signature. |
 | `gemini_gmail_handler.py` | `office/gmail_handler` | Gemini | `[office_gmail_handler]`, `[gemini]` | `GOOGLE_API_KEY`, `GMAIL_ADDRESS`, `GMAIL_APP_PASSWORD` (dedicated agent mailbox; demo: `GMAIL_HANDLER_EXAMPLE_DEMO=1`) | Interactive Gemini loop for resolve, search, read, preview/send mail. |