How to Use Gemini CLI with the 2Slides MCP Server (2026 Guide)

Quick answer (≤60 words): Google's Gemini CLI can generate real PowerPoint files via the 2Slides MCP server. Get a key at 2slides.com/api, then add a

mcpServers

entry to

~/.gemini/settings.json

—

command: "npx"

,

args: ["2slides-mcp"]

,

env.API_KEY

for stdio, or

httpUrl: "https://2slides.com/api/mcp?apikey=KEY"

for Streamable HTTP. Or run

gemini mcp add

. Then ask Gemini to build a deck.

Gemini CLI is Google's open-source terminal AI agent, and it speaks the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Connect it to the 2Slides MCP server and Gemini can turn a prompt — or a file in your working directory — into a finished, editable

.

This guide gives the exact

blocks for both transports (local stdio and remote Streamable HTTP), the shortcut, and what each 2Slides tool does.

Why connect Gemini CLI to 2Slides?

Gemini is a strong multimodal reasoner, but it doesn't emit binary

files on its own. The 2Slides MCP server is the dedicated generator:

• Gemini CLI reads your source, plans the slides, and writes the copy.
• The 2Slides MCP server renders the real PowerPoint — theme-based Fast PPT, or image-designed slides with optional AI narration and an exportable bundle.

What you need first

1. Gemini CLI installed (
   gemini
   on your PATH).
2. A 2Slides API key from 2slides.com/api.
3. Node.js for the stdio transport (
   npx 2slides-mcp
   ). The HTTP transport needs nothing local.

Stdio vs Streamable HTTP: which transport?

Both expose the same tools; the difference is the config key and where the connector runs.

Key name matters: Gemini CLI uses

httpUrl

for Streamable HTTP and

url

for legacy SSE. For the 2Slides Streamable HTTP endpoint, use

httpUrl

.

Method 1: stdio in settings.json

Gemini CLI reads

(global) and (project). Add an block:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "2slides": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["2slides-mcp"],
      "env": { "API_KEY": "YOUR_2SLIDES_API_KEY" }
    }
  }
}

values can also reference shell variables (e.g. ) if you'd rather not inline the key.

Method 2: Streamable HTTP in settings.json

For the hosted endpoint, use

:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "2slides-remote": {
      "httpUrl": "https://2slides.com/api/mcp?apikey=YOUR_2SLIDES_API_KEY"
    }
  }
}

Prefer header auth? Add a

object: .

Or use the

gemini mcp add

command

# stdio (-e sets env vars)
gemini mcp add -e API_KEY=YOUR_2SLIDES_API_KEY 2slides npx 2slides-mcp

# Streamable HTTP
gemini mcp add --transport http 2slides-remote "https://2slides.com/api/mcp?apikey=YOUR_2SLIDES_API_KEY"

These write the same

entries into . Flags include (stdio | sse | http), , , and .

Verify the connection

Inside an interactive

session, run:

/mcp

It shows each server's status (CONNECTED / CONNECTING / DISCONNECTED) and the discovered tools. Use

if a remote server requires OAuth.

Generate your first deck

Just ask:

Read ./notes/market-update.md and generate a 9-slide briefing.
Find a professional theme from 2slides, build the PowerPoint,
and give me the download link.

Gemini CLI runs

→ (Fast PPT) → returns the . For custom image-designed slides it uses and polls until the deck is ready.

The 2Slides MCP tool surface

Common mistakes and troubleshooting

• Used
  url
  for the Streamable HTTP endpoint. Gemini CLI treats
  url
  as SSE. Use
  httpUrl
  for 2Slides' Streamable HTTP.
• Server shows DISCONNECTED in
  /mcp
  . Check the API key, and for stdio confirm Node.js is installed.
• No tools listed. Restart the session after editing
  settings.json
  , or re-run
  gemini mcp add
  .
• No
  .pptx
  without the tool. Gemini alone drafts an outline; 2Slides produces the file.
• Tight polling. Let Gemini poll
  jobs_get
  about every 20 seconds for async Nano Banana / narration jobs.

Frequently asked questions

Does Gemini CLI support MCP servers?

Yes. Gemini CLI is an MCP client. Configure servers under

in , or add them with . Stdio, SSE, and Streamable HTTP transports are all supported.

What's the config key for a Streamable HTTP server?

. Use only for legacy SSE servers. The 2Slides Streamable HTTP endpoint goes in .

Where does Gemini CLI store MCP config?

(global) or (project). The MCP block is the top-level key.

Does it produce a real PowerPoint?

Yes —

returns an editable . The Nano Banana tools return image-designed decks with optional AI narration.

Where do I get the key and config?

At 2slides.com/api?tab=mcp: your key, a copy-paste config, and the Streamable HTTP endpoint URL.

The takeaway

One

mcpServers

entry —

command

for local,

httpUrl

for remote — turns Gemini CLI into a slide generator. Verify with

/mcp

, then just ask for a deck.

For the wider picture, see how MCP is changing presentation workflows and the PowerPoint MCP server ecosystem map. Working in another terminal agent? See Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, and Qwen Code with the same server.

Get your key and config at 2slides.com/api?tab=mcp and generate your first deck from the Gemini CLI in under a minute.

Sources:

• Gemini CLI — MCP servers (official docs)
• 2Slides API & MCP server