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@drawx/mcp-server

npm version CI license: MIT

Generate draw.io diagrams and architecture designs from inside Claude, Cursor, or VS Code.

DrawX MCP is a Model Context Protocol server that gives your AI assistant three tools:

  • generate_diagram — one-shot: natural-language prompt → complete draw.io XML.

  • architect_design — from a brief, produce a High-Level Design diagram (optionally an LLD + design doc).

  • whoami — verify your API key + see remaining quota.

Behind the scenes it calls the DrawX public API, so output matches the DrawX web app exactly.


Requirements

  • Node.js 18+

  • A DrawX API key — create one in DrawX → Settings → API keys. Keys start with drawx_live_. API access is a paid feature (bundled with the DrawX Pro plan).

Related MCP server: draw-io-mcp

Install

npm install -g @drawx/mcp-server

Or, if your MCP client supports npx, no install is needed — reference npx @drawx/mcp-server directly.

Configure your MCP client

Claude Desktop

Edit ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) or %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "drawx": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@drawx/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "DRAWX_API_KEY": "drawx_live_..."
      }
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop. In a new chat, ask "Draw me a microservices checkout flow" — Claude will call generate_diagram and show the resulting XML.

Cursor

Edit ~/.cursor/mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "drawx": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@drawx/mcp-server"],
      "env": { "DRAWX_API_KEY": "drawx_live_..." }
    }
  }
}

VS Code (Copilot MCP)

Add to your workspace or user settings.json:

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "drawx": {
        "command": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "@drawx/mcp-server"],
        "env": { "DRAWX_API_KEY": "drawx_live_..." }
      }
    }
  }
}

Environment variables

Variable

Required

Purpose

DRAWX_API_KEY

yes

Your DrawX API key (drawx_live_...).

DRAWX_API_BASE

no

Override the API base URL (default https://getdrawx.com/api/v1). Useful for staging.

Tools reference

generate_diagram

Turn a description into draw.io XML.

Inputs

  • prompt (string, required) — what to draw.

  • mode"flash" (default), "pro", or "ultra". Trades speed for quality.

  • previousXml — an existing mxfile to modify.

Output — assistant text: a summary line (model, tokens, cost) followed by the full <mxfile>...</mxfile> XML in a fenced code block. Paste the XML into diagrams.net or save as .drawio.

architect_design

Run the DrawX Architect Co-Pilot on a brief. Streams intermediate progress; returns a JSON payload with hld (and optional lld, doc).

Inputs

  • brief (string, required, ≥ 20 chars) — what to design.

  • depth"hld", "hld_lld" (default), or "hld_lld_doc".

  • style"cloud_agnostic" (default), "aws", "azure", or "gcp".

  • mode"flash" (default), "pro", or "ultra".

whoami

No inputs. Returns your email, plan, API tier, and remaining monthly API quota.

Quota + rate limits

API usage is metered on a separate tier from your in-app usage. Pro subscribers get 200 API calls / month. The rate limit is 60 requests / minute. On the free plan, API access is not enabled — upgrade at getdrawx.com.

Local development

git clone https://github.com/SaharshPamecha/drawx-mcp-server
cd drawx-mcp-server
npm install
npm run build
DRAWX_API_KEY=drawx_live_... node dist/index.js  # runs over stdio; use an MCP inspector
npm test

License

MIT © 2026 DrawX

Available Tools

3 tools
architect_designDesign a system architectureA

Run the DrawX Architect Co-Pilot: from a brief, produce a High-Level Design diagram (optionally a Low-Level Design and a written design document). Returns the diagram XML and rationale. Best for 'design me an architecture for X' requests.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
modeNoQuality/speed tier. Default flash.
briefYesThe architecture brief / requirements.
depthNoHow deep to go. Default hld_lld.
styleNoCloud/icon style. Default cloud_agnostic.

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It mentions outputs (diagram XML and rationale) but does not disclose safety aspects, side effects, authentication needs, or whether the tool is read-only. This is insufficient for a tool with no annotations.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is two sentences long, front-loading the core action and followed by a use case. No superfluous words; every sentence adds value.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool's complexity (4 parameters, no output schema), the description explains the primary output and scope. It lacks details on return format or error handling, but for a design tool with schema-enriched parameters, it is largely complete.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3. The description adds context that the brief is central and that depth controls output types, but it does not provide additional meaning beyond what the schema already offers for each parameter.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool produces a High-Level Design diagram from a brief, optionally including Low-Level Design and a written document. It explicitly targets 'design me an architecture for X' requests, distinguishing it from siblings like generate_diagram.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides explicit context for when to use the tool ('Best for design me an architecture for X requests'). However, it does not mention when not to use it or suggest alternatives, though siblings are listed in context.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

generate_diagramGenerate a draw.io diagramA

Generate a draw.io (diagrams.net) diagram from a natural-language description. Returns complete mxfile XML you can save as a .drawio file or paste into diagrams.net. Pass previousXml to modify an existing diagram.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
modeNoQuality/speed tier. Default flash.
promptYesWhat to draw, in plain language.
previousXmlNoExisting mxfile XML to modify (full updated document is returned).

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations provided, so description carries full burden. Mentions return type and modify capability, but lacks detail on destructiveness, rate limits, auth needs, or any side effects.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Two sentences, front-loaded with key info, no fluff. Efficient and clear.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Explains output format (mxfile XML) and modify scenario, which compensates for missing output schema. Lacks some behavioral context, but overall covers essential usage.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100%, with each parameter described. Description adds minimal extra value (e.g., 'pass previousXml to modify'), but does not significantly extend understanding beyond schema.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

Description clearly states verb (generate), resource (draw.io diagram), and output format (mxfile XML). Distinguishes from sibling tools like 'architect_design' and 'whoami' which are unrelated.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

Provides guidance for modifying existing diagrams via previousXml. Lacks explicit when-not-to-use or alternatives, but context is clear for its intended use.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

whoamiShow DrawX account + API quotaA

Show the DrawX account tied to the configured API key, its plan, API tier, and remaining monthly API quota. Useful to confirm the key works before generating.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No parameters

TDQS

A4.5/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description bears full burden. It discloses the output: account, plan, tier, quota. No side effects are mentioned, but for a read-only query tool, this is sufficient.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Two sentences, front-loaded with action, no redundancy. Every sentence adds value.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool's simplicity (no params, no output schema), the description fully covers purpose and usage context. It is complete for its scope.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

No parameters exist (0 params), so schema coverage is 100%. The description adds no parameter info, but baseline is 4 for 0-param tools.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly identifies the tool's purpose: showing the DrawX account, plan, API tier, and quota. It distinguishes itself from siblings (generate_diagram, architect_design) by being a diagnostic tool.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides explicit usage context: useful to confirm the key works before generating. It does not explicitly mention when not to use or alternatives, but the context is clear.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.

  1. 3 tool updatesv0.1.1
    • First observedarchitect_design
    • First observedgenerate_diagram
    • First observedwhoami

TDQS

A3.9/5.0
Disambiguation4/5

The tools 'generate_diagram' and 'architect_design' both generate diagrams but serve distinct purposes: general diagram creation vs. architectural design with documentation. 'whoami' is unrelated. Descriptions clearly differentiate the two diagram tools, though some overlap remains for architecture diagram requests.

Naming Consistency3/5

Tool names are all lowercase with underscores, but patterns differ: 'generate_diagram' (verb_noun), 'architect_design' (noun_noun or unusual verb_noun), and 'whoami' (standalone command). The mix of conventions makes the set less predictable.

Tool Count5/5

With 3 tools, the surface is minimal but well-scoped for the server's purpose of generating diagrams from natural language. Each tool serves a core function: general generation, architectural design with documentation, and account verification. No tool feels redundant or missing.

Completeness4/5

The server covers diagram generation and modification (via previousXml) and includes architectural design with written output. It lacks tools for listing, deleting, or converting diagrams, which is acceptable given the focus on generation. Minor gap in retrieving non-XML outputs.

Maintenance

ActivityStale
ResponsivenessSyncing

Resources

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