motleyai/layout-library-sync

Layout Library Import and Sync Workflow

This skill guides you through importing a Google Slides presentation as a layout library, creating a master from it, and syncing content from an existing reference master.

Overview

The workflow consists of these steps:

1. Import a Google Slides presentation as a layout library
2. Create a master from the layout library
3. Match slides between the new master and a reference master
4. For each matched slide: unhide it and copy element content from the reference
5. Resolve to populate content

---

Step 1: Import Layout Library

Use import_layout_library to import a Google Slides presentation.

Tool: import_layout_library

Parameters:

• presentation_url (required): Google Slides URL or presentation ID
• name (required): Name for the layout library

Example:

import_layout_library(
    presentation_url="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1G5UFoE9U_DMtuMqeG_WQ1oWF-I4NR5AK3koAZw1ye58/edit",
    name="Q1 Report Template"
)

Returns:

• layout_library_id: Use this to create a master
• deck_id: The underlying deck ID
• slide_count: Number of slides imported

Notes:

• The presentation is copied to the user's Google Drive
• All slides and elements are automatically named using LLM
• This may take 30-60 seconds depending on presentation size

---

Step 2: Create Master from Layout Library

Use create_master to create an editable master from the layout library.

Tool: create_master

Parameters:

• layout_library_id (required): From step 1
• name (optional): Custom name for the master

Example:

create_master(
    layout_library_id=<layout_library_id from step 1>,
    name="Q1 Report Master"
)

Returns:

• master_id: Use this for all subsequent operations
• deck_id: The master's deck ID
• All slides are created hidden by default

---

Step 3: Match Slides with Reference Master

Use match_slides to find corresponding slides between your new master and a reference master.

Tool: match_slides

Parameters:

• source_doc_id (required): The new master's deck ID from step 2
• target_doc_id (required): The reference master's deck ID with existing content
• slide_name (optional): Match only a specific slide
• include_thumbnails (optional): Use thumbnail comparison (slower)

Example:

match_slides(
    source_doc_id=<new_master_deck_id>,
    target_doc_id=<reference_deck_id>
)

Returns:

• matches: List of matched slide pairs with:
  • source_slide_name: Slide in new master
  • target_slide_name: Corresponding slide in reference
  • similarity_score: 0.0-1.0 confidence score
  • match_reason: "exact_name_match" or "element_overlap"
  • element_matches: Matched elements between slides
• unmatched_source_slides: Slides in new master with no match
• unmatched_target_slides: Slides in reference with no match

Matching Algorithm:

1. Exact name match: Slides with identical names (score=1.0)
2. Element overlap: Jaccard similarity of element names (threshold: 0.3)

---

Step 4: Process Each Matched Slide

For each match, perform these operations:

4a. Unhide the Slide

update_slide(
    doc_id=<new_master_deck_id>,
    slide_name="Intro",
    hidden=false
)

4b. Copy Element Content

For each matched element pair:

copy_block(
    source={doc_id: <reference_deck_id>, slide_name: "Intro", block_name: "title"},
    target={doc_id: <new_master_deck_id>, slide_name: "Intro", block_name: "title"}
)

Notes:

• If block types differ, the target is automatically converted to match the source type while preserving its layout properties (width, height, placeholder, description)
• Templates are always copied; child queries are never copied
• For query blocks, use parent_block_name to attach the copied query to a parent block
• Target block is marked as out-of-date after copy

---

Complete Workflow

1. Import the presentation:

   import_layout_library(presentation_url="https://docs.google.com/...", name="New Template")
   

   → Record layout_library_id

2. Create master:

   create_master(layout_library_id=<library_id>, name="New Template Master")
   

   → Record master_id and deck_id

3. Match slides with reference:

   match_slides(source_doc_id=<new_deck_id>, target_doc_id=<reference_deck_id>)
   

   → Get list of matches

4. For each match: unhide the slide and copy each matched element:

   update_slide(doc_id=<new_deck_id>, slide_name=<source_slide_name>, hidden=false)
   
   copy_block(
       source={doc_id: <reference_deck_id>, slide_name: <target_slide_name>, block_name: <target_element>},
       target={doc_id: <new_deck_id>, slide_name: <source_slide_name>, block_name: <source_element>}
   )
   

   Repeat copy_block for each element match in the slide.

5. Resolve to populate content:

   resolve_master(doc_id=<new_deck_id>)
   

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Useful Related Tools

• list_layout_libraries: List all available layout libraries
• list_masters: List all masters
• inspect_layout_library: See structure of a layout library
• inspect_document: See structure of a master or get detailed slide content
• resolve_master: Trigger resolution of outdated blocks

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Error Handling

| Error | Cause | Solution | |-------|-------|----------| | "Layout library not found" | Invalid ID or no access | Verify library ID exists | | "Slide not found" | Slide name doesn't exist | Use inspect_document(doc_id=...) to list slides | | "Block types incompatible" | Deprecated — type conversion is now automatic | Target block is converted to match source type | | "Master not found" | Invalid master ID | Use list_masters to find valid IDs |

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Best Practices

1. Always check matches first: Review match_slides results before copying
2. Handle unmatched slides: Decide what to do with slides that don't match
3. Templates are always copied: Templates are automatically preserved during copy
4. Resolve after copying: Call resolve_master to update content after all copies
5. Batch operations: Process all matched slides before resolving once