Claude Code or Codex creates slides through MCP.
Edit the exact HTML and CSS on a visual canvas.
Ship HTML, PDF, or PPTX when the deck is ready.
#The practical split
Tome is closer to an AI storytelling product. Variant is closer to a presentation editor with an agent API and a code-native slide format.
#When Tome makes sense
Use Tome when you want a guided storytelling experience and don't care much about owning the slide source.
#When Variant makes sense
Use Variant when you want decks that can be edited by an agent, touched up by a person, and exported as portable files.
| Need | Variant | Tome |
|---|---|---|
| Source control | Slides are readable HTML and CSS | Not the core workflow |
| Agent edits | Built around MCP tools | AI features live in product |
| Visual editing | Canvas and inspector | Story-focused editor |
| Exports | HTML, PDF, PPTX | Depends on Tome workflow |
#Common questions
Is Variant an alternative to Tome?
Yes, when you want AI-generated decks that stay editable as HTML and CSS. Tome is more story-product oriented; Variant is more agent-and-code oriented.
Is Variant more technical than Tome?
A bit, but not in a bad way. You can use the visual canvas, and the code is there when you or an agent need precision.
Can Variant generate a first draft?
Yes. Claude Code or Codex can generate a deck through Variant's MCP tools.