| name | draw-io |
| description | Generate and edit draw.io diagrams in XML format with proper font settings, arrow placement, and Japanese text support. Use when creating flowcharts, architecture diagrams, sequence diagrams, or any visual diagrams in .drawio format. Handles font family settings, arrow layering, text sizing, and PNG export validation. |
draw.io Diagram Generation Skill
Overview
This skill enables Claude Code to generate high-quality draw.io diagrams by directly editing XML. It addresses common pitfalls when generating draw.io files programmatically.
Quick Start
When creating a draw.io diagram:
- Set
defaultFontFamilyinmxGraphModel - Add
fontFamily=FontName;to ALL text element styles - Use
fontSize=18or larger for readability - Place arrows (edges) BEFORE boxes (vertices) in XML
- Allocate 30-40px width per Japanese character
- Set
page="0"for transparent background - Verify with PNG export
Core Rules
Font Settings
<!-- In mxGraphModel -->
<mxGraphModel defaultFontFamily="Noto Sans JP" page="0" ...>
<!-- In EVERY text element's style -->
<mxCell style="text;fontFamily=Noto Sans JP;fontSize=18;..." />
Arrow Placement (Z-Order)
Arrows must be declared FIRST to render behind other elements:
<root>
<mxCell id="0" />
<mxCell id="1" parent="0" />
<!-- ARROWS FIRST (renders at back) -->
<mxCell id="arrow1" edge="1" ... />
<!-- BOXES AFTER (renders in front) -->
<mxCell id="box1" vertex="1" ... />
</root>
Label-Arrow Spacing
Labels must be at least 20px away from arrow lines:
<!-- Arrow at Y=220 -->
<mxCell id="arrow">
<mxGeometry>
<mxPoint y="220" as="sourcePoint"/>
</mxGeometry>
</mxCell>
<!-- Label at Y=180 (40px above arrow) - CORRECT -->
<mxCell id="label" value="Process">
<mxGeometry y="180" width="60" height="20" />
</mxCell>
Japanese Text Width
Allocate sufficient width to prevent unwanted line breaks:
<!-- 8 Japanese characters × 35px = 280px minimum -->
<mxCell id="title" value="シンプルなフロー図">
<mxGeometry width="300" height="40" />
</mxCell>
Instruction Template
When asked to create a draw.io diagram, use this approach:
- Understand the diagram requirements
- Plan the layout (positions, connections)
- Generate XML with all rules applied
- Suggest PNG verification command
PNG Verification
Always recommend PNG export for visual verification:
# macOS
drawio -x -f png -s 2 -t -o output.png input.drawio
open output.png
# Linux
drawio -x -f png -s 2 -t -o output.png input.drawio
xdg-open output.png
Supporting Files
- reference.md - Complete XML structure reference
- examples.md - Production-ready diagram examples
- checklist.md - Pre-commit validation checklist