Get started

Create your first deck.

Build the command-line program or the macOS app. Open Studio. Choose a starter, then save the source file.

Build Rayslides

Rayslides requires Zig 0.16.x. The minimum supported version is Zig 0.16.0.

# Build an optimized executable.
zig build -Doptimize=ReleaseSafe

# Open Studio without a deck.
zig-out/bin/rayslides

The build places the executable at zig-out/bin/rayslides.

Build the macOS app

On macOS, build the Rayslides app with the macos-app step.

# Build the app bundle.
zig build -Doptimize=ReleaseSafe macos-app

# Open the app.
open zig-out/Rayslides.app

The build places the app at zig-out/Rayslides.app. It also keeps the command-line executable.

The app opens .sld files from Finder. You can also drop a deck onto its window.

The local build is not notarized. Another Mac can require one right-click and Open before normal launches work.

Read the complete macOS app notes.

Choose a starter

Rayslides opens the new-deck chooser when you omit the file name.

Rayslides new-deck chooser with Studio, Folio, Ember, and Signal starters — **Choose with the mouse or keys 1–4.** Each choice creates normal `.sld` source.

Starter	Use it when	What it creates
Studio	You want the signature Rayslides dark look.	Two cinematic navy layouts with cyan and amber accents.
Folio	You want an elegant light deck.	Two editorial ivory layouts with a cobalt publishing grid.
Ember	You want warmth and personality.	Two expressive aubergine layouts with coral and gold energy.
Signal	You want maximum graphic impact.	Two bright layouts built from acid lime, ultramarine, and ink.

Try every starter without restarting. Choose one, then press Cmd/Ctrl + Z to return to the pristine chooser. Choose a different starter, or press Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + Z before another edit to restore the deck.

Save the deck

Press Cmd/Ctrl + S.
Choose a path for the new deck.
Enter a file name.
Rayslides adds the .sld extension when it is missing.
Continue editing.
The same shortcut saves later changes with an atomic file update.

Rayslides does not overwrite an existing file during the first save. Choose another name when a file exists.

Open an existing deck

Pass the deck path to present it. Add --studio to start in the editor.

# Present the deck.
zig-out/bin/rayslides talk.sld

# Edit the deck in Studio.
zig-out/bin/rayslides --studio talk.sld

# Use the development build step.
zig build run -- talk.sld

Make a small deck by hand

Create hello.sld with this source.

@slide
@bg color=#07111fff
@box x=120 y=160 w=1680 h=160 fontsize=84 color=#f7fbffff text=Hello, Rayslides
@box x=120 y=390 w=1300 h=100 fontsize=36 color=#61dafbff text=The file is the deck.

Run zig-out/bin/rayslides hello.sld to present it.

Next guideUse Studio