automating-keynote

The automating-keynote skill provides a robust framework for controlling Apple Keynote directly from Claude Code. It bridges natural language requests and the macOS automation layer by utilizing AppleScript dictionaries for object discovery and executing complex presentation logic through JXA (JavaScript for Automation) or PyXA (Python for Automation). Designed for power users and developers, this skill allows for the programmatic generation of complete slide decks, making it ideal for automating recurring report presentations, data-driven visualization, or mass-creating slide assets.

• Full document lifecycle management including opening, saving, exporting, and closing presentation files.

• Precise slide manipulation such as inserting new slides, assigning master slide templates, and arranging slide order.

• Rich content insertion capabilities covering text boxes, shapes, imported images, and data-bound tables.

• Advanced charting and graph generation based on external data inputs.

• Support for applying slide transitions and incorporating UI scripting as a fallback for complex interactions not covered by native Apple Events.

• Requires macOS with standard Apple Events permissions granted; ensure the environment is configured via the provided setup scripts before execution.

• Essential for users needing to automate slide creation; works best when combined with macOS automation foundational skills.

• The skill relies on the Path() function for file operations; ensure all image or document paths are absolute to prevent resolution errors during execution.

• While ideal for native macOS Keynote, it is not intended for web-based slide platforms like Google Slides or cross-platform applications like PowerPoint.

• For production-level reliability, utilize JXA scripts developed during the prototyping phase in Script Editor; use PyXA for Python-centric integration and analysis pipelines.

• Users should consult the bundled reference guides for specific recipes regarding chart-aware deck patterns and advanced magic move animations.