excalidraw-diagram_skill

Overview

This skill generates Obsidian-ready Excalidraw diagrams from plain text descriptions, producing a saved .md file with complete Excalidraw JSON and plugin frontmatter. It chooses an appropriate diagram type, applies consistent design rules, and auto-saves the file to the current working directory. The output is ready to open in Obsidian’s Excalidraw view.

How this skill works

The skill parses user text to identify concepts, relationships, hierarchy, and sequence, then selects a diagram type (flowchart, mind map, hierarchy, etc.). It composes a valid Excalidraw JSON payload following the design rules (fontFamily, color palette, layout constraints) and wraps it into the required Obsidian .md structure. Finally it writes the file to the detected current directory, returns the filepath, and explains the visualization choices.

When to use it

• When you need a flowchart or step-by-step process visualized from text.
• When you want a mind map or concept map generated from notes or brainstorming.
• When you need an organizational chart, relationship diagram, timeline, matrix, or comparison layout.
• When you want an Obsidian-ready Excalidraw file auto-saved for further editing.
• When you prefer consistent styling rules applied automatically to diagram text and colors.

Best practices

• Provide clear, structured input: list steps, nodes, or headings to improve layout accuracy.
• State the preferred diagram type if you have one; otherwise let the skill choose based on content.
• Keep text labels concise to fit recommended canvas bounds (0–1200 x 0–800).
• Request revisions explicitly (layout, color emphasis, font size) after the initial file is created.
• Use the generated filename convention ([topic].[type].md) to keep your vault organized.

Example use cases

• Convert a product onboarding checklist into a stepwise flowchart and save as Onboarding.flowchart.md.
• Turn a brainstorming note into a radial mind map saved as ProjectIdeas.mindmap.md for Obsidian editing.
• Visualize team structure as a hierarchy chart like TeamStructure.hierarchy.md with color-coded levels.
• Compare two solutions in a side-by-side comparison diagram saved as OptionsComparison.comparison.md.
• Create a timeline of milestones from meeting notes and save as Roadmap.timeline.md.