> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.presenton.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Generation workflow
> Create a presentation in Presenton Cloud or a self-hosted open-source instance.
Use this guide to choose the right creation path, confirm the required inputs, and move from a prompt or file to a generated presentation.
Presenton has two user flows: **Cloud** for the hosted app, and **Open-source** for a self-hosted instance. The screens are similar, but Cloud also includes dashboard actions for importing PPTX files and using the API Playground.
## 1. Sign in
Open Presenton Cloud and sign in with your account.
## 2. Choose a dashboard action
After login, the dashboard shows the available creation actions.
Start a new deck from a prompt and optional source files.
Upload an existing PPTX and make it editable in Presenton.
Test presentation generation settings before using the API.
## 3. Create new Presentation
Use this path when you want Presenton to generate a new deck from a prompt, document, or other supported source material.
Select **Create new Presentation** from the dashboard, or open `/generate`.
Choose the generation mode before starting. **Standard** uses a fixed layout flow. **Smart** is shown as the flexible layout option in the product UI.
Use the slide number control to select the target deck length.
Choose the language for the generated presentation.
Open the advanced settings control when you need to adjust generation options before starting.
## 4. Edit PPTX with AI
Use this path when you already have a PPTX file and want to convert it into an editable Presenton presentation.
## 5. API Playground
Use the API Playground to test prompt, slide count, language, export, and generation settings before building an API workflow.
## Video walkthrough
The walkthrough shows the creation flow and theme/template areas in context.
## 1. Sign in to the instance
Open the self-hosted Presenton URL and enter the instance credentials configured by the deployment owner.
## 2. Start from the Generate page
After login, the open-source instance opens the Generate page. This is the main creation screen for prompts and source files.
## 3. Add prompt or source material
Type the instruction for the deck in the prompt area. Add optional source files in the attachments area when the presentation should be grounded in documents, spreadsheets, images, PDFs, or text files.
## 4. Set generation controls
Choose the slide count, language, and advanced settings before starting generation.
## 5. Review design and theme options
Use the available theme or generation settings controls in your instance before creating the deck. The exact options depend on how the open-source instance is configured.