Draw.io Implementation: Mind Maps

Purpose

This skill teaches how to create mind maps, concept maps, and radial hierarchy diagrams in Draw.io mxGraph XML. It covers central topic design, branch shapes at multiple levels, curved organic connectors, color coding strategies, and the differences between mind maps and concept maps.

Critical Rules (Memorize These)

1. ALWAYS use curved connectors — Set curved=1 on every branch edge. NEVER use edgeStyle=orthogonalEdgeStyle.
2. ALWAYS use endArrow=none on mind map connectors. Mind map branches are NOT directional.
3. ALWAYS center the root topic and spread branches radially (top, bottom, left, right).
4. ALWAYS color each branch family consistently — All children of a branch share the parent branch's color family.
5. NEVER use orthogonal (right-angle) connectors in mind maps — they destroy the organic visual style.
6. NEVER use directed arrows (endArrow=classic) on mind map branches.
7. ALWAYS include whiteSpace=wrap;html=1; in every shape style.
8. ALWAYS use relative="1" on every edge <mxGeometry>.

Mind Map Anatomy