> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.perceptis.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.perceptis.ai/perceptis-mcp-server/tools.md).

# Tools reference

Full reference for all tools exposed by the Perceptis MCP server.

All tools are available once your client is connected. The AI selects the appropriate tool automatically based on your request.

Each tool description tells the AI to call `get_perceptis_guidelines` once per conversation, before its first `generate_slide`, `generate_deck` or `edit_session_slide` call.

## get\_perceptis\_guidelines

Returns the Perceptis guidelines as Markdown text. They say who decides the visual design, when the AI asks you before it generates, and which design rules Perceptis keeps fixed.

* **Cost:** Free

## generate\_slide

Generates a single PowerPoint slide from a natural-language prompt, or appends a slide to an existing session.

* **Cost:** 1 credit
* **Typical duration:** usually within 4 minutes
* **Parameters:** `instruction` (string), `template_id` (optional string), `session_id` (optional string; appends the slide to that session)

## edit\_session\_slide

Edits one slide in a session: a single-slide session, a multi-slide session, or a rendered deck.

* **Cost:** your organization's free daily edits first, then 1 credit. A failed edit is refunded.
* **Typical duration:** usually within 4 minutes
* **Parameters:** `session_id`, `slide_number` (1-based), `instruction` (string)

## generate\_deck

Starts a multi-slide deck and writes its storyline. This is phase 1 of 3: storyline (`generate_deck`), render (`render_deck`), preview and download (`show_slide_preview`). The AI chains the calls automatically.

* **Cost:** none at this step. Credits are charged when `render_deck` starts.
* **Typical duration:** usually within 18 minutes for the full deck (6 minutes for the storyline, then 12 minutes to render the slides)
* **Parameters:** `instruction` (string), `template_id` (optional string)

## render\_deck

Renders the slides of a deck whose storyline is ready (phase 2 of 3).

* **Cost:** 1 credit per slide, charged when the render starts for the first time
* **Typical duration:** usually within 12 minutes
* **Parameters:** `deck_id`

## export\_session

Merges the rendered slides of a session or deck into one `.pptx`. The download link is valid for 1 hour.

* **Cost:** Free
* **Parameters:** `session_id` or `deck_id`

## import\_pptx

Brings an existing `.pptx` into your workspace as an editable session. The tool returns a short-lived upload URL, and the AI uploads the file to it. Files must be `.pptx` and at most 200 MB.

* **Cost:** Free

## check\_generation\_status

Reports the status of a slide, deck or import without changing it. The AI calls it to poll a generation that returned `status: "processing"`. You do not need to invoke it yourself.

* **Cost:** Free
* **Parameters:** `session_id` or `deck_id`; add `slide_id` with `session_id` for one slide in a multi-slide session

## show\_slide\_preview

Shows a preview image of each slide and a download link for the merged `.pptx` (phase 3 of 3 for a deck). The AI calls it after generation completes.

* **Cost:** Free
* **Parameters:** `session_id` or `deck_id`

## get\_connected\_account

Shows which Perceptis account and organization this connection is signed in as.

* **Cost:** Free

## list\_templates

Lists PowerPoint templates available to your organization. The default template is flagged with `is_default: true`.

* **Cost:** Free
* **Parameters (all optional):**
  * `template_id` — look up a single template by id.
  * `query` — filter by template name (case-insensitive substring match).