Diagrams
A Diagram document is a canvas for flowcharts and architecture sketches: nodes of different shapes, edges between them, and groups around related nodes. It lives in the same project tree as your ERDs and Markdown documents.
Create a diagram
- Open File > New Document or click the project/folder new-document action.
- Choose the target project and, if needed, a folder.
- Select Diagram as the document type.
- Enter a title and create the document.
The diagram opens in a tab. Changes are saved as you make them — Ctrl+S / Cmd+S only confirms that everything is saved.
Nodes
To add a node, press Ctrl+N, pick a shape, then click a spot on the canvas. Esc cancels. You can also right-click empty canvas and choose a shape under New Node.
| Shape | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Circle | Start |
| Rectangle | Process |
| Rounded rectangle | Activity |
| Diamond | Decision |
| Stadium | Subprocess |
| Parallelogram | Input / output |
| Cylinder | Database |
| Hexagon | Preparation |
| Double circle | End |
Select a node and press F2 to rename it in place (Ctrl+Enter saves, Esc cancels). Arrow keys move selected nodes by 8px, Shift + arrow by 40px.
Right-click a node for Edit Node, Create Edge from Node, Duplicate, Focus, Copy / Cut, Add to Group, Change Color, Change Shape, Export Node, and Delete Node.
Edges
Press Ctrl+E (or click Create Edge in the canvas toolbar), click the source node, then the target node. Esc cancels.
- Edge style — Bezier (smooth curve) or Smooth Step (right angles with rounded corners). Set the default for the whole diagram from the canvas toolbar, or override a single edge.
- Right-click an edge for Edit Edge, Change Style, Reverse Direction, and Delete Edge.
Groups
A group draws a colored box around related nodes. Select several nodes and choose Create Group from the toolbar's align menu or the right-click menu, or right-click a node and use Add to Group.
Right-click a group to edit it, change its color, auto-layout only its members, export it, or delete it.
Properties panel
Select an item and open Properties in the right rail:
| Selection | What you can edit |
|---|---|
| Node | Text, shape, fill color, border color, text color, width, height, note, group |
| Several nodes | A common shape for all of them |
| Edge | Label, style (Bezier / Smooth Step), color, line style (solid, dashed, dotted), arrow (none, arrow, open) |
| Group | Name, color, minimum width and height, member nodes |
The right rail also has Versions and Share, the same as other document types.
Canvas toolbar
The floating toolbar on the canvas (drag its handle to move it) holds:
- Grid on/off — new and dragged nodes snap to the grid while it is on
- Create Edge
- Auto Layout — Horizontal, Vertical, Balanced, Compact, or Tree
- Align — left, center, right, top, middle, bottom, distribute horizontally or vertically, and Create Group (needs a multi-selection)
- Edge Style — the default style for the diagram
- Undo / Redo
- Fit to Screen
- Export Image — PNG or SVG
- Search — find nodes, edges, and groups by their text
- Refresh
A minimap shows the whole diagram; the status bar shows the node and edge counts, zoom level, and save state.
Export
- Image — PNG or SVG, from the toolbar's Export Image button or right-click → Export Diagram.
- JSON — right-click empty canvas → Export Diagram → JSON.
A single node or group can be exported the same way from its right-click menu.
Keyboard shortcuts
Ctrl is Cmd on macOS.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+N | Add a node (pick a shape, then click the canvas) |
Ctrl+E | Create an edge |
F2 | Rename the selected node |
Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V | Copy / paste selected nodes |
Delete / Backspace | Delete the selection |
Ctrl+Z | Undo |
Ctrl+Shift+Z / Ctrl+Y | Redo |
Ctrl+F | Search |
Ctrl+0 | Fit to screen |
Ctrl+1 / Ctrl+2 | Zoom to 100% / 200% |
| Arrow keys | Move selected nodes (Shift for bigger steps) |
Esc | Cancel node placement, edge creation, or search |
Shared diagrams
A diagram shared with you as read-only can be viewed but not changed — editing shortcuts show a notice instead.
Using diagrams from MCP
Diagram documents can be created, listed, and read with the general document tools — create_documents (type diagram), list_documents, and get_document. See the MCP Tool Reference.