Excalidraw Studio workflow skill. Use this skill when the user needs Generate Excalidraw diagrams from natural language descriptions. Outputs .excalidraw JSON files openable in Excalidraw. Use when asked to "create a diagram", "make a flowchart", "visualize a process", "draw a system architecture", "create a mind map", "generate an Excalidraw file", "draw an ER diagram", "create a sequence diagram", or "make a class diagram". Supports flowcharts, relationship diagrams, mind maps, architecture, DFD, swimlane, class, sequence, and ER diagrams. Can use icon libraries (AWS, GCP, etc.) when set up. Do NOT use for code architecture analysis (use the architecture skills), Mermaid diagram rendering (use mermaid-studio), or non-visual documentation (use docs-writer) and the operator should preserve the upstream workflow, copied support files, and provenance before merging or handing off.
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name
excalidraw-studio
description
Excalidraw Studio workflow skill. Use this skill when the user needs Generate Excalidraw diagrams from natural language descriptions. Outputs .excalidraw JSON files openable in Excalidraw. Use when asked to "create a diagram", "make a flowchart", "visualize a process", "draw a system architecture", "create a mind map", "generate an Excalidraw file", "draw an ER diagram", "create a sequence diagram", or "make a class diagram". Supports flowcharts, relationship diagrams, mind maps, architecture, DFD, swimlane, class, sequence, and ER diagrams. Can use icon libraries (AWS, GCP, etc.) when set up. Do NOT use for code architecture analysis (use the architecture skills), Mermaid diagram rendering (use mermaid-studio), or non-visual documentation (use docs-writer) and the operator should preserve the upstream workflow, copied support files, and provenance before merging or handing off.
This public intake copy packages packages/skills-catalog/skills/(tooling)/excalidraw-studio from https://github.com/tech-leads-club/agent-skills into the native Omni Skills editorial shape without hiding its origin.
Use it when the operator needs the upstream workflow, support files, and repository context to stay intact while the public validator and private enhancer continue their normal downstream flow.
This intake keeps the copied upstream files intact and uses the external_source block in metadata.json plus ORIGIN.md as the provenance anchor for review.
Excalidraw Studio Generate Excalidraw-format diagrams from natural language descriptions. Outputs .excalidraw JSON files that can be opened directly in Excalidraw (web, VS Code extension, or Obsidian plugin).
Imported source sections that did not map cleanly to the public headings are still preserved below or in the support files. Notable imported sections: Templates, Icon Libraries, Validation Checklist, Limitations.
When to Use This Skill
Use this section as the trigger filter. It should make the activation boundary explicit before the operator loads files, runs commands, or opens a pull request.
Use when the request clearly matches the imported source intent: Generate Excalidraw diagrams from natural language descriptions. Outputs .excalidraw JSON files openable in Excalidraw. Use when asked to "create a diagram", "make a flowchart", "visualize a process", "draw a system....
Use when the operator should preserve upstream workflow detail instead of rewriting the process from scratch.
Use when provenance needs to stay visible in the answer, PR, or review packet.
Use when copied upstream references, examples, or scripts materially improve the answer.
Use when the workflow should remain reviewable in the public intake repo before the private enhancer takes over.
Operating Table
Situation
Start here
Why it matters
First-time use
metadata.json
Confirms repository, branch, commit, and imported path through the external_source block before touching the copied workflow
Provenance review
ORIGIN.md
Gives reviewers a plain-language audit trail for the imported source
Workflow execution
references/element-types.md
Starts with the smallest copied file that materially changes execution
Supporting context
references/excalidraw-schema.md
Adds the next most relevant copied source file without loading the entire package
Handoff decision
## Related Skills
Helps the operator switch to a stronger native skill when the task drifts
Workflow
This workflow is intentionally editorial and operational at the same time. It keeps the imported source useful to the operator while still satisfying the public intake standards that feed the downstream enhancer flow.
Architecture diagrams (structural zones + sketchy shapes)
Step 3: Extract Structured Information
Extract the key components based on diagram type. For each type, identify:
Nodes/entities — What are the boxes/shapes?
Connections — What connects to what, and with what label?
Hierarchy — What contains what, what comes before what?
Decision points — Where does the flow branch?
For detailed extraction guidelines per diagram type, read references/element-types.md.
Step 4: Generate the Excalidraw JSON
CRITICAL: Read references/excalidraw-schema.md before generating your first diagram. It contains the correct element format, text container model, and binding system.
Key rules for generation:
Text inside shapes — Use boundElements on the shape and a separate text element with containerId. Never use a label shorthand:
Element order for z-index — Always declare shapes first, arrows second, text elements last. This guarantees text renders on top and is never obscured by arrows or other shapes.
Positioning — Use grid-aligned coordinates (multiples of 20px when gridSize: 20). Leave 200-300px horizontal gap, 100-150px vertical gap between elements.
Unique IDs — Every element must have a unique id. Use descriptive IDs like "step-1", "decision-valid", "arrow-1-to-2", "text-step-1".
Colors — Use a consistent palette:
Role
Color
Hex
Primary entities
Light blue
#a5d8ff
Process steps
Light green
#b2f2bb
Important/Central
Yellow
#ffd43b
Warnings/Errors
Light red
#ffc9c9
Secondary
Cyan
#96f2d7
Default stroke
Dark
#1e1e1e
Step 5: Save and Present
Save as <descriptive-name>.excalidraw
Provide a summary:
Created: user-workflow.excalidraw
Type: Flowchart
Elements: 7 shapes, 6 arrows, 1 title
Total: 14 elements
To view:
1. Visit https://excalidraw.com → Open → drag and drop the file
2. Or use the Excalidraw VS Code extension
3. Or open in Obsidian with the Excalidraw plugin
Imported: Templates
Pre-built templates are available in assets/ for quick starting points. Use these when the diagram type matches — they provide correct structure and styling:
Template
File
Flowchart
assets/flowchart-template.json
Relationship
assets/relationship-template.json
Mind Map
assets/mindmap-template.json
Data Flow (DFD)
assets/data-flow-diagram-template.json
Swimlane
assets/business-flow-swimlane-template.json
Class Diagram
assets/class-diagram-template.json
Sequence Diagram
assets/sequence-diagram-template.json
ER Diagram
assets/er-diagram-template.json
Read a template when creating that diagram type for the first time. Use its structure as a base, then modify elements to match the user's request.
Examples
Example 1: Ask for the upstream workflow directly
Use @excalidraw-studio to handle <task>. Start from the copied upstream workflow, load only the files that change the outcome, and keep provenance visible in the answer.
Explanation: This is the safest starting point when the operator needs the imported workflow, but not the entire repository.
Example 2: Ask for a provenance-grounded review
Review @excalidraw-studio against metadata.json and ORIGIN.md, then explain which copied upstream files you would load first and why.
Explanation: Use this before review or troubleshooting when you need a precise, auditable explanation of origin and file selection.
Example 3: Narrow the copied support files before execution
Use @excalidraw-studio for <task>. Load only the copied references, examples, or scripts that change the outcome, and name the files explicitly before proceeding.
Explanation: This keeps the skill aligned with progressive disclosure instead of loading the whole copied package by default.
Example 4: Build a reviewer packet
Review @excalidraw-studio using the copied upstream files plus provenance, then summarize any gaps before merge.
Explanation: This is useful when the PR is waiting for human review and you want a repeatable audit packet.
Best Practices
Treat the generated public skill as a reviewable packaging layer around the upstream repository. The goal is to keep provenance explicit and load only the copied source material that materially improves execution.
Diagram Type - Recommended - Maximum
Flowchart steps - 3-10 - 15
Relationship entities - 3-8 - 12
Mind map branches - 4-6 - 8
Sub-topics per branch - 2-4 - 6
Flow direction: Left-to-right for processes, top-to-bottom for hierarchies
Spacing: 200-300px horizontal, 100-150px vertical between elements
Imported Operating Notes
Imported: Best Practices
Element Count
Diagram Type
Recommended
Maximum
Flowchart steps
3-10
15
Relationship entities
3-8
12
Mind map branches
4-6
8
Sub-topics per branch
2-4
6
If the user's request exceeds maximum, suggest breaking into multiple diagrams:
"Your request includes 15 components. For clarity, I recommend: (1) High-level architecture diagram with 6 main components, (2) Detailed sub-diagrams for each subsystem. Want me to start with the high-level view?"
Layout
Flow direction: Left-to-right for processes, top-to-bottom for hierarchies
Spacing: 200-300px horizontal, 100-150px vertical between elements
Grid alignment: Position on multiples of 20px for clean alignment
Margins: Minimum 50px from canvas edge
Text sizing: 28-36px titles, 18-22px labels, 14-16px annotations
Font: Use fontFamily: 5 (Excalifont) for hand-drawn consistency. Fallback to 1 (Virgil) if 5 is not supported.
Background zones: For architecture diagrams, add semi-transparent dashed zone rectangles (opacity: 35, strokeStyle: "dashed", roughness: 0) as the first elements in the array to create visual grouping regions. See references/excalidraw-schema.md → Background Zones.
Element order: zones first → shapes → arrows → text elements (ensures correct z-index and text always renders on top)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using label: { text: "..." } shorthand on shapes or arrows — not supported by the Excalidraw parser
❌ Putting text directly on shape elements without containerId
❌ Using start/end for arrow bindings — use startBinding/endBinding with elementId/focus/gap
❌ Forgetting to add arrows to their connected shapes' boundElements arrays
❌ Omitting originalText, lineHeight, autoResize, or backgroundColor: "transparent" from text elements inside containers
❌ Omitting required base properties (angle, strokeStyle, opacity, groupIds, frameId, index, isDeleted, seed, version, versionNonce, updated, link, locked) — elements will not render
❌ Missing "files": {} at the top level of the JSON
❌ Using roundness: { "type": 3 } on ellipses — ellipses must use roundness: null
❌ Missing lastCommittedPoint, startArrowhead, endArrowhead on arrows
❌ Declaring text elements before arrows — text renders underneath and gets obscured
❌ Floating arrows without bindings (won't move with shapes)
❌ Overlapping elements (increase spacing)
❌ Inconsistent color usage (define palette upfront)
❌ Too many elements on one diagram (break into sub-diagrams)
Troubleshooting
Problem: The operator skipped the imported context and answered too generically
Symptoms: The result ignores the upstream workflow in packages/skills-catalog/skills/(tooling)/excalidraw-studio, fails to mention provenance, or does not use any copied source files at all.
Solution: Re-open metadata.json, ORIGIN.md, and the most relevant copied upstream files. Check the external_source block first, then restate the provenance before continuing.
Problem: The imported workflow feels incomplete during review
Symptoms: Reviewers can see the generated SKILL.md, but they cannot quickly tell which references, examples, or scripts matter for the current task.
Solution: Point at the exact copied references, examples, scripts, or assets that justify the path you took. If the gap is still real, record it in the PR instead of hiding it.
Problem: The task drifted into a different specialization
Symptoms: The imported skill starts in the right place, but the work turns into debugging, architecture, design, security, or release orchestration that a native skill handles better.
Solution: Use the related skills section to hand off deliberately. Keep the imported provenance visible so the next skill inherits the right context instead of starting blind.
Imported Troubleshooting Notes
Imported: Troubleshooting
Issue
Solution
Text not showing in shapes
Use boundElements + separate text element with containerId, originalText, lineHeight
Text hidden behind arrows
Move text elements to end of elements array (after all arrows)
Arrows don't move with shapes
Use startBinding/endBinding with elementId, focus: 0, gap: 1
Shape not moving with arrows
Add the arrow to the shape's boundElements array
Elements overlap
Increase spacing between coordinates
Text doesn't fit
Increase shape width or reduce font size
Too many elements
Break into multiple diagrams
Colors look inconsistent
Define color palette upfront, apply consistently
Related Skills
@accessibility - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
@ai-cold-outreach - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
@ai-pricing - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
@ai-sdr - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
Additional Resources
Use this support matrix and the linked files below as the operator packet for this imported skill. They should reflect real copied source material, not generic scaffolding.
Resource family
What it gives the reviewer
Example path
references
copied reference notes, guides, or background material from upstream
references/element-types.md
examples
worked examples or reusable prompts copied from upstream
examples/n/a
scripts
upstream helper scripts that change execution or validation
scripts/.gitignore
agents
routing or delegation notes that are genuinely part of the imported package
agents/n/a
assets
supporting assets or schemas copied from the source package
For professional architecture diagrams with service icons (AWS, GCP, Azure, etc.), icon libraries can be set up. Read references/icon-libraries.md when:
User requests an AWS/cloud architecture diagram
User mentions wanting specific service icons
You need to check if icon libraries are available
Imported: Validation Checklist
Before delivering the diagram, verify:
All elements have unique IDs
Every element has ALL required base properties: angle, strokeStyle, opacity, groupIds, frameId, index, isDeleted, link, locked, seed, version, versionNonce, updated
index values are assigned in order ("a0", "a1", …) with text elements getting higher values than shapes/arrows
Top-level JSON includes "files": {}
Shapes with text use boundElements + separate text element with containerId
Text elements inside containers have containerId, originalText, lineHeight: 1.25, autoResize: true, roundness: null, backgroundColor: "transparent"
Arrows use startBinding/endBinding (with elementId, focus, gap) when connecting shapes, plus lastCommittedPoint: null, startArrowhead: null, endArrowhead: "arrow"
Connected shapes list the arrow in their boundElements arrays
Element order: shapes → arrows → text elements (text always on top)
Ellipses use roundness: null (not { "type": 3 })
Coordinates prevent overlapping (check spacing)
Text is readable (font size 16+)
Colors follow consistent scheme
File is valid JSON
Element count is reasonable (<20 for clarity)
Imported: Limitations
Complex curves are simplified to straight/basic curved lines
Hand-drawn roughness is set to default (1)
No embedded images in auto-generation (use icon libraries for service icons)
Maximum recommended: 20 elements per diagram for clarity
No automatic collision detection — use spacing guidelines
