Draw.io MCP server

Let's do some Vibe Diagramming with the most wide-spread diagramming tool called Draw.io (Diagrams.net).

• Import and export diagrams from/to XML, SVG (with embedded XML), or PNG (with embedded XML)
• Edge geometry control with waypoints and automatic self-connector routing
• Parent-child relationships for nested shapes and grouping
• Unified Server and Extension in the same mono-repo
• Built-in Draw.io editor - no browser extension required
• MCP server that lets AI agents control Draw.io diagrams
• Programmatic diagram creation, inspection, and modification via MCP tools
• Layer management for complex diagrams
• Works with any MCP client (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Zed, Codex, etc.)

The Draw.io MCP server brings Draw.io diagramming capabilities to AI agents. It provides MCP tools that can create, read, update, and delete diagram elements - letting AI assistants build architectural diagrams, flowcharts, and visual documentation automatically.

Two ways to use:

1. Built-in editor - Server hosts Draw.io directly, accessible in your browser
2. Browser extension - Connect to Draw.io running in your browser via extension

• Node.js (v20 or higher) - Runtime environment for the MCP server
• MCP client - Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Zed, Codex, OpenCode, or any MCP-compatible host

No additional requirements - runs out of the box with --editor flag.

• Browser extension - drawio-mcp-extension
• Draw.io open in your browser

• pnpm - Preferred package manager (npm works fine too)

Add the server to your MCP client configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "drawio": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "drawio-mcp-server", "--editor"]
    }
  }
}

claude mcp add-json drawio '{"type":"stdio","command":"npx","args":["-y","drawio-mcp-server","--editor"]}'

{
  "context_servers": {
    "drawio": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "drawio-mcp-server", "--editor"],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

[mcp_servers.drawio]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "drawio-mcp-server", "--editor"]

{
  "$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
  "mcp": {
    "drawio": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["npx", "-y", "drawio-mcp-server", "--editor"],
      "enabled": true
    }
  }
}

For other MCP clients and detailed configuration (including pnpm options), see Configuration.

After restarting your MCP host, open: http://localhost:3000/

Example prompts you can try:

"Create an event-driven architecture diagram showing a message queue with producers, consumers, and three backend services"

"Draw a CRUD API diagram with a database, API gateway, and four microservices with their endpoints"

"Add a new layer called 'Background' and move all decorative elements to it, then create a new layer for annotations"

Your AI assistant can now control the diagram using MCP tools.

The server provides MCP tools for:

• Diagram inspection - read shapes, layers, and cell properties
• Diagram modification - add/edit/delete shapes, edges, and labels
• Layer management - create, switch, and organize layers

See Tools Reference for the complete list of available tools.

The server runs as part of your MCP host. Detailed configuration for all supported clients (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Zed, Codex, oterm) including npm and pnpm options is available in Configuration.

Instead of the built-in editor, you can use the browser extension to connect to Draw.io running in your browser. This works with or without the --editor flag.

1. Open Draw.io in your browser
2. Install the Draw.io MCP Browser Extension:
   • Chrome Web Store
   • Firefox Add-ons
3. Ensure the extension is connected (green signal overlay on icon)

Configuration without --editor:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "drawio": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "drawio-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

See the extension documentation for more details.

Configuration - CLI flags and advanced options

Tools Reference - Complete MCP tools documentation

Troubleshooting

Prompt examples

Contributing

Architecture

Development