drawio-mcp — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
Generates and edits draw.io XML files straight from natural language prompts. Helpful when you need architecture, UML, or flowchart files in .drawio format.
claude mcp add drawio-mcp -- uvx drawio-mcpWhat drawio-mcp does
The server turns text prompts into structured diagram files compatible with diagrams.net. Its interface includes five primary tools: diagram handles file lifecycle, draw manages nodes and edges, style adjusts visual themes, layout applies positioning algorithms, and inspect queries graph details. Python 3.11 or higher is strictly required in your environment.
It packs over 310 shape templates, 44 connector varieties, and 21 palette themes. Positioning engines cover Sugiyama DAG, trees, grids, and obstacle-avoiding orthogonal edge routing. You can also run layout cleanup to fix overlaps and misaligned labels. Missing a modern Python setup will prevent the server from starting.
What it helps with
- build flowcharts with conditional branching into
.drawiofiles - generate cloud infrastructure diagrams for AWS or Kubernetes
- restructure and align nodes in existing diagram files
- construct UML class structures or database ER schemas
Example prompts for the agent
- Build a user authentication flowchart with failure branches and save it as auth.drawio
- Create an AWS cloud architecture diagram with API Gateway, Lambda, and DynamoDB in aws.drawio
- Generate a UML class diagram for User, Order, and Product, then save to models.drawio
How to install drawio-mcp
Platform CLI
claude mcp add drawio-mcp -- uvx drawio-mcpuvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from drawio-mcp <command>
Platform CLI
codex mcp add drawio-mcp -- uvx drawio-mcpuvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from drawio-mcp <command>
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"drawio-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"drawio-mcp"
]
}
}
}uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from drawio-mcp <command>
Config file
{
"servers": {
"drawio-mcp": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"drawio-mcp"
]
}
}
}uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from drawio-mcp <command>
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add drawio-mcp uvx drawio-mcpuvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from drawio-mcp <command>
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about drawio-mcp
How to install drawio-mcp in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add drawio-mcp -- uvx drawio-mcp in your terminal. You will need Python 3.11+ and uv installed on your machine.
What does drawio-mcp do?
It gives your AI agent the ability to produce, restyle, and organize diagrams.net XML files programmatically from plain instructions.
Can drawio-mcp edit existing diagram files?
Yes, the tool can load an existing .drawio document, alter nodes or styles, run layout adjustments, and write the modifications back.
