powerpoint-mcp

PowerPoint MCP

An MCP server that lets AI assistants manipulate live, open PowerPoint presentations on macOS and PowerPoint Web via Office.js APIs.

Unlike file-based tools (python-pptx), PowerPoint MCP works with presentations that are already open — changes appear instantly, and you keep full access to PowerPoint's UI, animations, and formatting.

Installation

Claude Code Plugin (recommended)

Zero-config install from the marketplace. MCP auto-starts, add-in auto-sideloads, skill included.

/plugin marketplace add kzarzycki/powerpoint-mcp
/plugin install powerpoint-mcp@powerpoint-mcp

Then restart PowerPoint, open a presentation, and click the bridge add-in in the ribbon.

npx (any MCP client)

Run as an MCP server via npx (no install needed):

npx powerpoint-mcp --stdio --bridge

Then configure your MCP client:

Claude Desktop (~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "powerpoint-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "powerpoint-mcp", "--stdio", "--bridge"]
    }
  }
}

Claude Code (.mcp.json in project root):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "powerpoint-mcp": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "powerpoint-mcp", "--stdio", "--bridge"]
    }
  }
}

Cursor (.cursor/mcp.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "powerpoint-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "powerpoint-mcp", "--stdio", "--bridge"]
    }
  }
}

VS Code / GitHub Copilot (.vscode/mcp.json):

{
  "servers": {
    "powerpoint-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "powerpoint-mcp", "--stdio", "--bridge"]
    }
  }
}

Windsurf (~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "powerpoint-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "powerpoint-mcp", "--stdio", "--bridge"]
    }
  }
}

Note: The PowerPoint add-in must still be sideloaded separately. Run npx powerpoint-mcp --sideload or see Troubleshooting.

Claude Desktop Extension

Build and install as a one-click .mcpb extension (from source):

git clone https://github.com/kzarzycki/powerpoint-mcp.git
cd powerpoint-mcp
npm install && npm run build:mcpb
open powerpoint-mcp-*.mcpb   # opens Claude Desktop installer

The extension auto-starts the bridge and auto-sideloads the add-in. Restart PowerPoint after first install.

Known limitations:

• Chat mode only — Cowork and Code tabs don't load desktop extensions (upstream bug)
• Single instance — only one bridge can run on port 8080

From source (development)

git clone https://github.com/kzarzycki/powerpoint-mcp.git
cd powerpoint-mcp
npm install
npm run sideload     # copies manifest to PowerPoint's add-in folder
npm start            # starts MCP server (STDIO mode by default)

Then restart PowerPoint, open a presentation, and click the bridge add-in in the ribbon.

Motivation

This project was inspired by the Claude in PowerPoint add-in. The first time I tried it, I was amazed — it edits live, open decks via Office.js, and the results are far better than file-based pptx tools. But it only works inside the add-in, which means no access to CLAUDE.md, skills, or any other Claude Code features. PowerPoint MCP brings those same Office.js capabilities to Claude Code (and any MCP client) so you get live editing with the full power of your coding environment.

Architecture

AI Assistant  <--MCP STDIO/HTTP-->  Bridge Server (Node.js)  <--WS/WSS-->  PowerPoint Add-in (Office.js)
                                           |                                       |
                                     STDIO (default)                      Desktop: WKWebView sandbox
                                     or HTTP (:3001/mcp)                  Web: browser iframe
                                     localhost:8080 (HTTP)                Office.js API 1.1-1.10
                                     or :8443 (HTTPS)                    executes commands on
                                     serves add-in files + WS             live presentation

Two MCP transports are supported:

• STDIO (default) — used by plugin installs and --stdio flag; the MCP client spawns the server process directly
• HTTP — localhost:3001/mcp; used by npm start for standalone/development setups

Three components in one repo: