Generate an Excalidraw diagram from $ARGUMENTS.

Workflow

Read $SKILL_DIR/references/EXCALIDRAW_GUIDE.md before doing layout work. For complex diagrams or exports, use the relevant sections instead of improvising structure.
Classify the request: architecture, flowchart, sequence, hub-and-spoke, hierarchy, ER-style, swimlane, or freeform concept map.
Choose a style mode:
- professional by default for architecture, systems, APIs, workflows, and most technical diagrams
- sketch only when the user explicitly asks for a whiteboard, brainstorm, rough draft, or hand-drawn look
Perform arrow-path analysis before placing components. If return arrows or non-adjacent connections would cross intermediate nodes, switch to a bypass path or 2D layout.
Generate the JSON with descriptive IDs, explicit text sizing and colors, bidirectional bindings, and containers that fully cover grouped children.
Save the result as <descriptive-name>.excalidraw.json in the active directory.
If the user asked for PNG or SVG, or a rendered preview would materially help, try an export:
- SVG via Kroki when curl is available
- PNG or SVG via excalidraw-brute-export-cli when the local CLI is available
- If export tooling is unavailable, still deliver the JSON and explain what was missing
Return the created file paths, chosen diagram type, chosen style mode, and export status.

excalidraw