Marp CLI

If you prefer not to install Node.js or a browser locally, you can use the official Marp CLI container images.

Docker Hub: marpteam/marp-cli GitHub Container Registry: ghcr.io/marp-team/marp-cli

By default, passing a Markdown file to Marp CLI converts it to an HTML file. Use the --output (-o) option to specify a custom output path.

To convert multiple files or directories while maintaining the original directory structure, use the --input-dir (-I) option along with --output to specify the destination directory.

By default, the incoming slide layer is always stacked on top of the outgoing slide layer. If your transition requires the incoming slide to appear behind the outgoing one, you can manipulate the z-index within your @keyframes.

Note that z-index must be an integer; interpolated values in animations will not use decimal points.

/* Send the incoming slide to the back */
@keyframes marp-incoming-transition-XXXXXXXX {
  from,
  to {
    z-index: -1;
  }
}

/* Swap layer order during animation */
@keyframes marp-incoming-transition-swap {
  from {
    z-index: -1;
  }
  to {
    z-index: 0;
  }
  0% {
    transform: translateX(0);
  }
  50% {
    transform: translateX(50%);
  }
  100% {
    transform: translateX(0);
  }
}

Server mode allows on-demand conversion via HTTP requests. Use the --server (-s) option followed by a directory to serve. In this mode, files are converted on-the-fly and served via HTTP rather than being written to disk.

To get specific formats, add a query string to the request:

• http://localhost:8080/deck-a.md?pdf returns a PDF.
• Other supported formats via query string: pdf, pptx, png, jpeg, txt.

Configuration:

• Set the server port using the PORT environment variable (e.g., PORT=5000 marp -s ./slides).
• To serve a default deck at the root (/), place a file named index.md or PITCHME.md in the served directory.

Convert Markdown to PPTX using the --pptx flag or by specifying a .pptx extension in the --output path. This requires a browser.

Experimental: Editable PPTX Use --pptx-editable alongside --pptx to generate a PPTX where text, shapes, and images can be modified in a GUI.

• Requirements: Requires both a browser and LibreOffice Impress.
• Warnings: This mode has lower reproducibility, does not support presenter notes, and may fail with complex themes (e.g., gaia).

# Standard PPTX conversion
marp --pptx slide-deck.md
marp slide-deck.md -o converted.pptx

# Experimental editable PPTX
marp --pptx --pptx-editable slide-deck.md

Marp CLI can be configured using several file formats to set project-wide settings. Supported files include:

• marp.config.js
• marp.config.mjs (ES Modules)
• marp.config.cjs (CommonJS)
• .marprc (JSON or YAML)
• The marp section within package.json

By default, Marp CLI looks for a configuration file in the current directory. You can specify a custom path using the --config-file (--config or -c) option. To prevent the CLI from looking for a configuration file, use the --no-config-file (--no-config) option.

// package.json
{
  "marp": {
    "inputDir": "./slides",
    "output": "./public",
    "themeSet": "./themes"
  }
}

Marp CLI can convert slides into images using the --images or --image options. This requires a browser.

• Multiple images: Use --images [png|jpeg] to convert every slide into a separate file (e.g., slide-deck.001.png).
• Single title slide: Use --image [png|jpeg] or specify a .png/.jpeg extension in --output to convert only the first page.
• Scale factor: Use --image-scale <number> to increase resolution (e.g., --image-scale 2). This also affects PPTX conversion quality.