V3.2

Vela Slides — Compact Format

Write the deck as compact JSON. The validator auto-expands compact to full format.

Format

{"n":"Deck Title","C":{color palette},"T":{themes},"S":[slides]}

Color Palette C

"C":{"$A":"#3B82F6","$B":"#E6F1FF","$C":"#8892B0","$D":"#0A0F1C","$E":"#1e293b","$F":"#3B82F620","$G":"#10B981"}

Map hex colors to $A-$Z aliases. Use aliases everywhere in the deck.

Themes T

"T":{"d":{"b":"$D","c":"$B","a":"$A","p":"36px 48px"},"a":{"b":"$E","c":"$B","a":"$A","p":"36px 48px"}}

d=dark, a=alt dark. Keys: b=bg, c=text color, a=accent, p=padding (CSS string).

Slides S

{"t":"d","n":"Slide Title","d":60,"B":[...blocks...]}

t=theme ref, n=title, d=duration in seconds (integer), B=blocks array. Cover/CTA slides add: "bgGradient":"linear-gradient(135deg, $D 0%, $E 100%)","align":"center","verticalAlign":"center" Spacers: bare integer (e.g. 8 not {"_":"spacer","h":8}).

Blocks

Keys: _=type, x=text, s=size(xs|sm|md|lg|xl|2xl|3xl|4xl), c=color, i=icon, b=bg, w=weight(int), ic=iconColor, ib=iconBg, I=items, g=gap(int), lb=label, v=variant, H=headers, R=rows

heading: {"_":"heading","x":"Text","s":"3xl","w":700} text: {"_":"text","x":"Body","s":"lg","c":"$C"} badge: {"_":"badge","x":"LABEL","c":"$A","b":"$F","i":"Star"} icon-row: {"_":"icon-row","I":[{"icon":"Zap","title":"Feature","x":"Description","ic":"$A","ib":"$F"},...]} Each item MUST have a different ic color. table: {"_":"table","H":["Col1","Col2","Col3"],"R":[["a","b","c"],["d","e","f"]],"striped":true,"headerBg":"$E","headerColor":"$B"} grid: {"_":"grid","cols":3,"g":16,"I":[{"blocks":[...block objects...],"style":{"padding":"16px","background":"rgba(255,255,255,0.05)","borderRadius":"8px"}},...]} Grid items MUST have "blocks":[...] array (not bare blocks). Style uses full CSS key names. metric: {"_":"metric","value":"42%","lb":"Label","s":"3xl","c":"$A"} flow: {"_":"flow","I":[{"i":"FileText","lb":"Step 1","sublabel":"Details"},...],"arrowColor":"$A","direction":"horizontal"} Optional: "loop":true,"loopLabel":"Repeat", item-level "gate":true steps: {"_":"steps","I":[{"title":"Step 1","x":"Description"},...],"lineColor":"$A","numberColor":"$A"} timeline: {"_":"timeline","I":[{"date":"Q1 2026","title":"Milestone","x":"Details"},...],"lineColor":"$A"} callout: {"_":"callout","x":"Key insight text","title":"Note","b":"rgba(59,130,246,0.1)","border":"$A","i":"Lightbulb"} tag-group: {"_":"tag-group","I":[{"x":"Tag 1","c":"$A","i":"Mail"},...],"v":"outline"} icon: {"_":"icon","name":"Rocket","s":"xl","c":"$A","b":"$F","circle":true} code: {"_":"code","x":"const x = 1;","lb":"JavaScript","b":"$E"} quote: {"_":"quote","x":"Quote text","author":"Person","s":"xl","c":"$B"} progress: {"_":"progress","I":[{"lb":"Skill","value":85,"c":"$A"},...],"showValue":true}

Design Rules

• Canvas 960×540. Max 5-7 blocks per slide (spacers don't count).
• Headlines: assertions with data ("AI Cuts Time 60%"), never labels ("Overview").
• Background: alternate "t":"d" and "t":"a" across slides. Cover + CTA use bgGradient.
• Every content slide starts with a badge block.
• icon-row items: each must have a distinct ic color.
• Problem slides: use grid + metric blocks with warning colors.
• Solution slides: use flow + callout.
• CTA slides: use tag-group with actionable links.
• Group slides into items (sections) when using full format. Compact S array is fine.
• Duration: title slides 15-30s, content 60-90s, dense 90-180s.
• Icons: PascalCase Lucide names (Zap, Brain, Rocket, Shield, Target, Clock, Users, Globe, Code, Database, Lightbulb, TrendingUp, BarChart, Bot, Sparkles, Mail, Play, ArrowRight).

Workflow

1. Write compact JSON to the requested file path
2. Validate: python3 /path/to/vela.py deck validate <file> The validator auto-expands compact format. You do NOT need to write lanes/items/slides structure.
3. Report: After validation, output a brief quality report for the user:
   • Slide count and total duration
   • Block types used
   • Any validation warnings (block count, missing fields)
   • Suggestions: "To improve this deck, consider: ..." (1-2 specific actionable tips) Keep the report concise (5-8 lines max).