NotebookLM Slides Generation
Quick Start
# 1. Start browser (via browser-use skill)
bash .claude/skills/browser-use/scripts/start-server.sh
# 2. Navigate to NotebookLM
# browser_navigate to notebooklm.google.com
# 3. Create notebook, upload sources, generate slides
# Use proficiency-calibrated prompts below
Core Principles
- Proficiency-Driven: Slides match CEFR levels (A2 beginner → C1 advanced)
- Framework Alignment: Educational philosophy explicitly stated
- Visual Over Text: 3-5 bullets per slide, not paragraphs
- Narrative Arc: problem → transformation → opportunity → action
- Actionable Endings: Concrete next steps, not "Keep learning!"
Workflow (Per Chapter)
| Step | Action | Tool |
|------|--------|------|
| 1 | Navigate to notebooklm.google.com | browser_navigate |
| 2 | Create notebook: "Chapter X: Title" | browser_click |
| 3 | Upload ALL sources (lessons + README + quiz) | browser_click |
| 4 | Click "Slide Deck" in Studio panel | browser_click |
| 5 | Select "Presenter Slides" format | browser_click |
| 6 | Paste proficiency-calibrated prompt | browser_type |
| 7 | Click "Generate" (wait 5-30 min) | browser_click |
| 8 | Review with success criteria | Visual inspection |
| 9 | Download PDF | browser_click |
| 10 | Move to static/slides/chapter-{NN}-slides.pdf | Bash |
Proficiency-Calibrated Prompts
A2 (Beginners)
Create inspiring slide deck for absolute beginners (A2 proficiency).
AUDIENCE: Complete beginners with no programming experience.
FRAMEWORK TO EMPHASIZE:
• [Principle 1]: Simple, concrete explanation
• [Principle 2]: Accessible mental model
• [Principle 3]: Encouraging principle
THEMES (with specific data):
1. [Theme with concrete numbers/facts]
2. [Theme with specific example]
3. [Theme with real-world data]
TONE:
• Encouraging (not intimidating)
• Future-focused and opportunity-driven
• Simple language, no jargon
• Action-oriented
<slide_format_requirements>
Generate 12-15 slides. Each slide: 3-5 bullet points as sentences,
NOT paragraphs. Clear headings. Cover all themes.
</slide_format_requirements>
NARRATIVE: problem → transformation → opportunity → action
END WITH: Specific next steps (not "Keep learning!")
B1 (Intermediate)
Create comprehensive slide deck for intermediate learners (B1 proficiency).
AUDIENCE: Learners with [prerequisites]. Ready for [next-level challenge].
FRAMEWORK TO EMPHASIZE:
• [Intermediate concept with practical context]
• [Problem-solving approach]
• [Real-world application pattern]
THEMES (with specific data):
1-5. [Themes with concrete examples]
TONE:
• Professional yet accessible
• Balance theory with practice
• Technical terms with context
• Critical thinking encouraged
<slide_format_requirements>
Generate 15-20 slides. Each slide: 4-6 bullet points.
Include practical examples and case studies.
</slide_format_requirements>
END WITH: Implementation strategies (step-by-step)
C1 (Advanced)
Create detailed slide deck for advanced practitioners (C1 proficiency).
AUDIENCE: Experienced with [advanced prerequisites].
FRAMEWORK TO EMPHASIZE:
• [Theoretical frameworks and trade-offs]
• [Industry patterns and anti-patterns]
• [Critical analysis and decision-making]
THEMES: [5-7 themes with industry data]
TONE:
• Professional and rigorous
• Nuance and complexity
• Industry-standard terminology
• Analytical and evaluative
<slide_format_requirements>
Generate 20-25 slides. Each slide: 5-7 bullet points.
Include architecture diagrams, decision matrices.
</slide_format_requirements>
END WITH: Production deployment strategies
Success Criteria (7 Gates)
| Gate | Check | Pass | Fail | |------|-------|------|------| | 1. Title | Reflects framework? | "AI Coding Revolution" | "Introduction to AI" | | 2. Language | Matches proficiency? | A2: simple, no jargon | A2 with technical terms | | 3. Themes | All 5-7 covered? | Each theme with data | Themes missing | | 4. Tone | Matches spec? | Encouraging (not academic) | Wrong emotional framing | | 5. Count | Within range? | A2: 12-15, B1: 15-20 | Outside range | | 6. Arc | Progression clear? | problem → action | Random sequence | | 7. Ending | Actionable? | Specific tasks | "Keep learning!" |
Score: 7/7 → Deploy | <7/7 → Iterate with refined prompt
File Naming
Format: chapter-{NN}-slides.pdf (zero-padded)
# Example
mv ~/Downloads/"The-AI-Revolution.pdf" \
"apps/learn-app/static/slides/chapter-01-slides.pdf"
Integration
Add to chapter README frontmatter:
---
title: "Chapter 1: Title"
slides:
source: "slides/chapter-01-slides.pdf"
title: "Chapter 1: Title"
height: 700
---
Build-time plugin auto-injects PDFViewer before "What You'll Learn".
Batch Processing
For 3+ chapters:
- Create ALL notebooks first (before generating)
- Upload sources for all chapters
- Prepare all prompts in text editor
- Generate Chapter N → prepare N+1 prompt while waiting
- Download when ready → start next immediately
Daily limit: 3-5 chapters/day (NotebookLM enforced)
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution | |-------|----------| | Generation stuck >30 min | Check browser console, verify no daily limit message | | Text-heavy slides | Add explicit "3-5 bullets, NOT paragraphs" | | Generic title | Include example engaging title in prompt | | Missing themes | List all themes numbered with specific data | | Daily limit hit | Wait 24h (midnight PT reset), notebooks persist |
Anti-Patterns
| Don't | Why | Do Instead | |-------|-----|------------| | Vague audience | NotebookLM can't calibrate | "A2 beginners with no programming" | | Skip framework | Generic output | Explicit 3-5 principles | | Single-word tone | Ambiguous | "Encouraging (not intimidating)" | | Leave format default | Text-heavy slides | Explicit bullet count | | Vague endings | No student action | Specific next steps |