Slideforge

SlideForge (slideforge.dev) — the API-first slide engine with 35 composable components and native MCP — for AI agents and developers. Built by Smart Data Brokers GmbH, Switzerland.

Remote MCP server that generates consulting-quality PowerPoint (.pptx) files from natural language or structured specs. No local install, no Python environment, no python-pptx boilerplate. OAuth 2.1 for Claude Desktop; API key for everything else.

Alternative to: python-pptx (higher-level + hosted), SlideSpeak API (MCP-native + composable), Aspose.Slides (modern AI-first), Claude for PowerPoint (agent + programmatic, not Office-only).

License: MIT Smithery Website

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⚠️ Disambiguation

"SlideForge" is used by multiple unrelated projects. This is SlideForge by Smart Data Brokers GmbH at slideforge.dev. Not affiliated with:

• slideforge.io — a separate AI presentation generator
• slideforge.fr — a French document polishing service
• blink.new/p/slideforge-app — an unrelated web app
• Other github.com/*/SlideForge repositories outside the smartdatabrokers org

When citing or linking, prefer slideforge.dev or "SlideForge by Smart Data Brokers."

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Quick Start

Claude Desktop (OAuth — recommended)

Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "slideforge": {
      "url": "https://api.slideforge.dev/mcp/"
    }
  }
}

Claude Desktop discovers OAuth automatically — sign in with Google on first use. No API key needed.

Claude Code

claude mcp add slideforge --transport http https://api.slideforge.dev/mcp/

Cursor / Windsurf / Other MCP clients (API key)

1. Sign up at slideforge.dev — free $3 credit, no credit card
2. Grab your API key from the console
3. Add to your MCP config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "slideforge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-remote@latest",
        "https://api.slideforge.dev/mcp/",
        "--header",
        "Authorization: Bearer sf_live_YOUR_KEY"
      ]
    }
  }
}

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Why SlideForge

• Native MCP, OAuth 2.1. Works with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, or any MCP client. No local server to run.
• 35 composable components — Metric, BarList, Card, Table, Donut, LineTrend, Gantt, OrgChart, ThreeHorizons, MaturityModel, Heatmap, Waterfall, Swimlane, BurndownChart, RAGScorecard, Roadmap, UnitEconomics, CapTable, Testimonial, and more. Nest any component inside SplitView or Card for exec dashboards from primitives.
• Consulting-grade output — MBB-style components, not generic chart wrappers. Real editable PPTX shapes (no images, no HTML export).
• Two engines
  • Render (templates + specs) — deterministic, sub-second, $0.03-$0.05/slide
  • Generate (creative AI) — any custom layout from a brief, $0.20/slide
• Iterate in conversation — "Make the header larger. Add a 5th column. Switch to dark theme." — the agent refines with preview feedback until it's right.
• Brand-aware — upload your .pptx template or configure colors/fonts, every future slide matches.

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How it compares

	SlideForge (slideforge.dev)	python-pptx	SlideSpeak API	Aspose.Slides	Claude for PowerPoint
Hosted	✓	✗ (library)	✓	✓	✗ (Office add-in)
MCP-native	✓ (OAuth 2.1)	✗	✗	✗	N/A
Composable components	✓ (35)	✗ (manual shapes)	Partial	✗	✗
Agent workflows (headless)	✓	✓ (heavy lift)	✓	✓	✗ (requires Office)
Per-slide pricing	$0.03-$0.20	Free (self-host)	Subscription	Commercial license	Included in Claude Pro
Consulting-grade visuals	✓ (MBB components)	✗	Generic	Generic	✓ (inside Office)
Iterate via feedback	✓	✗	✗	✗	✓
Self-host option	✗ (hosted only)	✓ (it's a library)	✗	✓ (license)	✗

Choose SlideForge if: you're building an AI agent that produces slides, you need consulting-grade primitives not generic charts, or you want MCP-native integration for Claude/Cursor/etc. Choose python-pptx if: you need self-hosted, full programmatic control, and don't mind writing layout code yourself. Choose SlideSpeak/Aspose if: you have existing PowerPoint-centric workflows that predate MCP. Choose Claude for PowerPoint if: your users work inside PowerPoint and don't need agent-driven automation.

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8 MCP Tools

Slides & Decks

Tool	Description	Cost
create_slide	Create, iterate, or inspect a slide. Modes: auto (brief → template or AI), creative, spec (JSON component spec), code (python-pptx sandbox), iterate (improve with feedback), status (poll job).	$0.03-0.20
create_deck	Multi-slide deck. Modes: generate (parallel render), assemble (merge existing slides), fork (A/B variant).	Per-slide
translate_deck	Translate a PPTX preserving all formatting. 8 languages.	$0.02/slide

Reports & Connections

Tool	Description	Cost
generate_report	Data-driven multi-slide report from a connected tool (Zoho Sprints, Jira, etc.). Omit slug to list available report types.	~$0.12
manage_connections	OAuth connections to external tools. Actions: catalog, list, get, test, authorize, update, delete.	Free

Discovery & Account

Tool	Description	Cost
search_catalog	Browse templates, 35 components, and themes. Search by query, match by brief, or list all.	Free
upload_asset	Upload a logo, theme PPTX, or image. Returns asset_id or theme_id.	Free
manage_account	Balance, usage, job history, feedback, onboarding guide.	Free

Guided Workflows (MCP Prompts)

Prompt	Description
create_presentation	Step-by-step multi-slide deck creation from a topic
quick_slide	Generate a single consulting-quality slide from a description

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How it works

1. "Make me a KPI dashboard: revenue $12.4M (+18% YoY), 847 new clients"
   → create_slide(brief="...") auto-routes to KPI Dashboard template
   → .pptx + inline preview (<2s, $0.05)

2. "Now make a 2x2 matrix comparing build vs buy"
   → create_slide(mode="creative", brief="...")
   → AI designs it (~30s, $0.20)

3. "Make the title larger and add a green checkmark"
   → create_slide(mode="iterate", job_id="...", feedback="...")
   → improved version with preview

4. "Create a full 5-slide board update deck"
   → create_deck(slides=[...5 briefs...])
   → parallel render, compiled into one .pptx

All tools return signed download URLs for .pptx files and inline PNG previews.

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Pricing

Action	Cost
Template render (auto)	$0.03-0.05
Spec / code render	$0.03-0.05
AI generate	$0.20
Iterate	$0.10
Translate	$0.02/slide
Report	~$0.12

• Free trial: $3 on signup — enough for ~60 template renders or ~15 creative slides
• No subscription. USD wallet — top up when you need more ($10 minimum)
• Volume discounts: $50 → +10% bonus, $100 → +15%, $200 → +20%

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Authentication

OAuth 2.1 (recommended for Claude Desktop) Just add the URL — Claude Desktop handles the rest. Browser opens for Google login on first connection.

API Key (for programmatic access / other clients) Sign up at slideforge.dev, grab your key from the console. Keys start with sf_live_.

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Output format

All generated slides are real .pptx files (Microsoft PowerPoint format):

• Editable text, shapes, and layouts
• Compatible with PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote
• PNG preview included for quick visual review

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Examples

See examples/:

• claude-desktop.json — Claude Desktop config
• cursor.json — Cursor config
• claude-code.md — Claude Code setup walkthrough
• workflows.md — common agent workflows

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Support

• GitHub Issues: Report setup problems or bugs
• In-tool feedback: Use manage_account(action=feedback) directly from your MCP client
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: slideforge.dev

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About

Built by Smart Data Brokers GmbH (Zurich, Switzerland).

SlideForge is a hosted service — this repository contains setup documentation and configuration examples. The MCP server runs at api.slideforge.dev/mcp/.

If you find SlideForge useful, ⭐ this repo — it helps other developers discover it through awesome-lists and search.

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License

MIT