> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.poesius.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Templates Overview

> Understand how templates work and their structure

## What are Templates?

Templates define the visual design and layout structure of your presentation. Each template has multiple layouts (e.g., Title Slide, Content Slide, Section Header).

**Templates are created and customized visually** in the web app at `https://app.poesius.com`. When you generate slides, Poesius retrieves:

* **Color schemes** - Template-defined colors and palettes
* **Layout zones** - Defined areas for content placement
* **Typography** - Fonts, sizes, and styling rules
* **Visual elements** - Branding, graphics, and design elements
* **Layout structure** - Available slide layouts and their specifications

## Template Structure

Each template contains:

* **Template ID**: Unique identifier (UUID)
* **Template Name**: Human-readable name (e.g., "Professional Blue")
* **Layouts**: Multiple slide layouts within the template

## Layout Types

Common layout types include:

* **Title Slide**: Opening slide with title and subtitle
* **Content Slide**: Standard content with title and body
* **Section Header**: Dividers between sections
* **Two Column**: Content split into two columns
* **Image Slide**: Focused on images with captions

## Getting Template Information

### Using MCP

```json theme={null}
{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "list_templates",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

### Response Example

```json theme={null}
{
  "templates": [
    {
      "template_id": "uuid",
      "template_name": "Professional Blue",
      "layouts": [
        {
          "layout_id": "layout-1",
          "layout_name": "Title Slide",
          "master_name": "Master 1",
          "master_index": 0,
          "layout_index": 0,
          "thumbnail_url": "https://..."
        },
        {
          "layout_id": "layout-2",
          "layout_name": "Content Slide",
          "master_name": "Master 1",
          "master_index": 0,
          "layout_index": 1,
          "thumbnail_url": "https://..."
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "total": 5,
  "default_template_id": "uuid"
}
```

## Using Templates

1. **List Templates**: Call `list_templates` to see available templates
2. **Choose Template**: Select a `template_id` from the response
3. **Inspect Layouts**: Review available layouts for each template
4. **Use in Generation**: Provide `template_id` in your generation request
5. **Optional Layout Selection**: Specify `layout_name` for specific slides

## Default Templates

If your account has a default template set, you can omit `template_id` in requests. The system will use your default template automatically.

## Template Management

Template creation and visual editing are handled in the web app at `https://app.poesius.com`.

For API usage, use the template endpoints for:

* Listing templates
* Getting template details
* Setting a default template

## Template Priority in Slide Generation

When generating slides, templates are selected in this priority order:

1. **`original_slide`** (if provided) - highest priority
2. **`template_id`** (if provided in request)
3. **User's default template** (if set)
4. **No template** (system default behavior)

## Best Practices

* **Consistent Branding**: Use the same template across related presentations
* **Preview Layouts**: Check layout thumbnails to understand what's available
* **Layout Selection**: Let the system choose layouts automatically, or specify for specific slides
* **Template Caching**: Cache template lists since they don't change frequently
* **Set Default Template**: Use the API to set a default template for seamless workflow
* **Template Naming**: Use descriptive names (e.g., "Marketing Template v2", "Q4 2024 Presentation")
* **Regular Cleanup**: Remove unused templates to keep your template library organized

<Card title="Selecting Templates" icon="check-circle" href="/templates/selecting-templates">
  Learn how to choose and use templates
</Card>

<Card title="List Templates (MCP)" icon="list" href="/mcp/list-templates">
  See how to list templates using MCP
</Card>