Files
excalidraw-mcp-sentinel/README.md
T
newblaccandClaude Sonnet 4.6 5539235004 feat(security): harden canvas server with auth, rate-limiting, and validation
- Add security.ts: helmet, CORS allowlist, timing-safe API key auth, prototype
  pollution guard, Mermaid input limits, rate limiting (general/destructive/burst)
- WS auth challenge-response with 5 s timeout and close code 4001
- Fix sync crash: array check before logger access (500 → 400)
- Fix sync/v2: validate element type before write (invalid → 400)
- Upgrade zod 3.22.4 → 3.25.5 (fixes ERR_PACKAGE_PATH_NOT_EXPORTED on startup)
- Extract ElementSharedFieldsSchema; move VALID_ELEMENT_TYPES to module level
- Docker: resource limits, .dockerignore hardening
- Add .project-hooks/pre-commit; expand test coverage (369 tests)

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-03-29 16:06:04 +02:00

730 lines
26 KiB
Markdown

# MCP Excalidraw Local
[![CI](https://github.com/sanjibdevnathlabs/mcp-excalidraw-local/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/sanjibdevnathlabs/mcp-excalidraw-local/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
[![Release & Publish](https://github.com/sanjibdevnathlabs/mcp-excalidraw-local/actions/workflows/release.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/sanjibdevnathlabs/mcp-excalidraw-local/actions/workflows/release.yml)
[![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-MIT-blue.svg)](LICENSE)
A fully local, self-hosted Excalidraw MCP server with **SQLite persistence**, **multi-tenancy**, and **auto-sync** — designed to run entirely on your machine without depending on `excalidraw.com`.
Run a live Excalidraw canvas and control it from any AI agent. This repo provides:
- **MCP Server**: 32 tools over stdio — works with any MCP-compatible client
- **Agent Skill**: Portable skill with workflow playbooks, cheatsheets, and helper scripts
- **Live Canvas**: Real-time Excalidraw UI synced via WebSocket
- **SQLite Persistence**: Elements survive restarts, with versioning and search
- **Multi-Tenancy**: Isolated canvases per workspace, auto-detected
> **Fork notice:** This project is forked from [yctimlin/mcp_excalidraw](https://github.com/yctimlin/mcp_excalidraw) and extends it with persistence, multi-workspace support, and numerous UX improvements. Full credit to the original author for the excellent foundation. See [What Changed From Upstream](#what-changed-from-upstream) for details.
Keywords: Excalidraw MCP server, AI diagramming, local Excalidraw, self-hosted, SQLite persistence, multi-tenant, Mermaid to Excalidraw.
## Screenshots
### Canvas UI
The live Excalidraw canvas with toolbar, connection status, sync controls, and workspace badge:
![Canvas UI](docs/screenshots/canvas-ui.png)
### Workspace Switcher
Click the workspace badge to switch between isolated canvases — each workspace has its own set of diagrams:
![Workspace Switcher](docs/screenshots/workspace-switcher.png)
> For a demo of the upstream project (before persistence/multi-tenancy), see the [original video by @yctimlin](https://youtu.be/ufW78Amq5qA).
## Table of Contents
- [Screenshots](#screenshots)
- [Prerequisites](#prerequisites)
- [Quick Start](#quick-start)
- [Configuration](#configuration)
- [Verify Installation](#verify-installation)
- [Updating](#updating)
- [How We Differ from the Official Excalidraw MCP](#how-we-differ-from-the-official-excalidraw-mcp)
- [What Changed From Upstream](#what-changed-from-upstream)
- [Architecture](#architecture)
- [Environment Variables](#environment-variables)
- [Multi-Tenancy (Workspaces)](#multi-tenancy-workspaces)
- [Agent Skill (Optional)](#agent-skill-optional)
- [MCP Tools (32 Total)](#mcp-tools-32-total)
- [Testing](#testing)
- [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
- [Known Issues / TODO](#known-issues--todo)
- [Development](#development)
- [Credits](#credits)
## Prerequisites
| Requirement | Why | Check |
|---|---|---|
| **Node.js >= 20** (LTS 20 or 22 recommended) | Runtime | `node --version` |
| **C++ build tools** | `better-sqlite3` compiles native bindings | See below |
| **npm** (bundled with Node.js) | Package manager | `npm --version` |
### C++ build tools by platform
**macOS:**
```bash
xcode-select --install
```
**Ubuntu / Debian:**
```bash
sudo apt install build-essential python3
```
**Windows:**
Install "Desktop development with C++" from [Visual Studio Build Tools](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/).
> `better-sqlite3` ships prebuilt binaries for most Node LTS versions. The build tools are only needed when a prebuilt binary isn't available for your platform/Node combination.
## Quick Start
### Path A: Interactive Setup (recommended for first-time users)
The setup wizard checks your environment, optionally installs the agent skill, and configures MCP clients — all interactively. Every step is skippable.
```bash
npx @sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local setup
```
<details>
<summary>Example session</summary>
```
$ npx @sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local setup
Excalidraw MCP — Setup
[1/3] Environment
✔ Node.js v22.12.0 .................. OK
✔ better-sqlite3 bindings ........... OK
✔ Frontend build .................... OK
[2/3] Agent Skill
Install the Excalidraw agent skill? [Y/n]: Y
Detected agents:
[1] Cursor (~/.cursor)
[2] Claude Code (~/.claude)
Which agents? (comma-separated, 'all', or 'skip'): all
Cursor — scope? [G]lobal / [l]ocal: G
✔ Installed to ~/.cursor/skills/excalidraw-skill/
Claude Code — scope? [G]lobal / [l]ocal: G
✔ Installed to ~/.claude/skills/excalidraw-skill/
[3/3] MCP Configuration
Add MCP server to agent configs automatically? [Y/n]: Y
Cursor — add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json? [Y/n]: Y
✔ Added 'excalidraw-canvas' to ~/.cursor/mcp.json
Claude Code — register via CLI? [Y/n]: Y
✔ Registered 'excalidraw-canvas' via Claude Code CLI
Done! Open http://localhost:3000 to verify the canvas.
```
</details>
> **The setup is fully optional.** If you prefer to configure everything manually, skip to Path B or C below.
### Path B: From Source
```bash
git clone https://github.com/sanjibdevnathlabs/mcp-excalidraw-local.git
cd mcp-excalidraw-local
npm install
npm run build
```
Then configure your MCP client — see [Configuration](#configuration).
To run manually (outside an MCP client):
```bash
node dist/index.js
```
Open `http://localhost:3000` in your browser.
### Path C: Docker
Canvas server:
```bash
docker run -d -p 3000:3000 --name mcp-excalidraw-canvas sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local-canvas:latest
```
MCP server (stdio) is typically launched by your MCP client:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"excalidraw-canvas": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run", "-i", "--rm",
"-e", "CANVAS_PORT=3000",
"sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local:latest"
]
}
}
}
```
> **Note:** For Docker on Linux, add `--add-host=host.docker.internal:host-gateway`.
## Configuration
This is a standard MCP server communicating over **stdio**. It works with any MCP-compatible client.
### Cursor
Add to `~/.cursor/mcp.json` (global) or `.cursor/mcp.json` (per-project):
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"excalidraw-canvas": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local"],
"env": {
"CANVAS_PORT": "3000"
}
}
}
}
```
Or, if installed from source:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"excalidraw-canvas": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/absolute/path/to/mcp-excalidraw-local/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"CANVAS_PORT": "3000"
}
}
}
}
```
### Claude Desktop
Add to `claude_desktop_config.json`:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"excalidraw-canvas": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local"],
"env": {
"CANVAS_PORT": "3000"
}
}
}
}
```
### Claude Code
```bash
claude mcp add excalidraw-canvas --scope user \
-e CANVAS_PORT=3000 \
-- npx -y @sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local
```
### Codex CLI
Add to `~/.codex/mcp.json`:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"excalidraw-canvas": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local"],
"env": {
"CANVAS_PORT": "3000"
}
}
}
}
```
### Key points
- **Single process** — The canvas server is embedded. No separate terminal or process needed.
- **Browser required for screenshots** — `export_to_image` and `get_canvas_screenshot` rely on the frontend. Open `http://localhost:3000` in a browser.
## Verify Installation
After configuring your MCP client, verify everything works:
```bash
# 1. Check the canvas server is running
curl http://localhost:3000/health
# 2. Open the canvas in your browser
open http://localhost:3000
# 3. In your AI agent, ask it to:
# "Create a blue rectangle labeled 'Hello World' on the Excalidraw canvas"
```
If the health check fails, see [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting).
## Updating
Already installed a previous version? The interactive update wizard is the easiest way to update everything — MCP server **and** agent skills — in one go.
### Interactive Update (recommended)
```bash
npx @sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local@latest update
```
<details>
<summary>Example session</summary>
```
$ npx @sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local@latest update
Excalidraw MCP — Update v1.2.0
[1/2] Skill Update
Found 2 existing skill installation(s):
[1] Cursor (global) — ~/.cursor/skills/excalidraw-skill
[2] Claude Code (global) — ~/.claude/skills/excalidraw-skill
Update all 2 installation(s) to v1.2.0? [Y/n]: Y
✔ Updated Cursor (global) — ~/.cursor/skills/excalidraw-skill
✔ Updated Claude Code (global) — ~/.claude/skills/excalidraw-skill
2/2 skill(s) updated.
[2/2] MCP Configuration
Re-apply MCP server config? (overwrites existing entry) [y/N]: N
MCP config unchanged.
Update complete! Restart your MCP client to pick up changes.
```
</details>
The update wizard:
1. **Finds all existing skill installations** across Cursor, Claude Code, and Codex CLI (both global and local scopes)
2. **Updates them in-place** with the latest skill files (SKILL.md, cheatsheet, geometric-thinking reference, helper scripts)
3. **Offers to install** the skill for any detected agent that doesn't have it yet
4. **Optionally re-applies MCP config** if needed
> **Why this matters:** The agent skill contains workflow guidance, sizing rules, color palettes, and anti-patterns that evolve alongside the MCP tools. Updating the MCP server without updating the skill means your AI agent is working with stale instructions.
### Manual Update by Installation Method
If you prefer to update manually, follow the steps for your installation method, then restart your MCP client.
#### npx users
If your MCP config uses `npx -y @sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local`, npx caches the package locally and won't automatically fetch new versions.
**Option A — Clear the cache (one-time):**
```bash
npm cache clean --force
```
Then restart your MCP client. npx will download the latest version on next launch.
**Option B — Pin to `@latest` in your MCP config (permanent fix):**
Update the `args` in your MCP config to include `@latest`:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"excalidraw-canvas": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local@latest"],
"env": { "CANVAS_PORT": "3000" }
}
}
}
```
This ensures npx always checks for the newest published version.
#### From-source users
```bash
cd mcp-excalidraw-local
git pull origin main
npm install
npm run build
```
#### Docker users
```bash
docker pull sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local:latest
docker pull sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local-canvas:latest
```
Then recreate your containers (`docker compose up -d` or `docker run` again).
#### Updating the agent skill manually
If you skipped the interactive update, copy the skill files yourself:
```bash
cp -R skills/excalidraw-skill ~/.cursor/skills/excalidraw-skill
cp -R skills/excalidraw-skill ~/.claude/skills/excalidraw-skill
```
### Verify the update
```bash
# Check the running version
curl -s http://localhost:3000/health
# Or check the installed package version
npx @sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local --version
```
## How We Differ from the Official Excalidraw MCP
Excalidraw now has an [official MCP](https://github.com/excalidraw/excalidraw-mcp) — it's great for quick, prompt-to-diagram generation rendered inline in chat. We solve a different problem.
| | Official Excalidraw MCP | This Project |
|---|---|---|
| **Approach** | Prompt in, diagram out (one-shot) | Programmatic element-level control (32 tools) |
| **State** | Stateless — each call is independent | Persistent live canvas with real-time sync |
| **Storage** | None | SQLite with WAL mode, versioning, element history |
| **Multi-tenancy** | No | Workspace-based isolation, auto-detected |
| **Element CRUD** | No | Full create / read / update / delete per element |
| **AI sees the canvas** | No | `describe_scene` (structured text) + `get_canvas_screenshot` (image) |
| **Iterative refinement** | No — regenerate the whole diagram | Draw → look → adjust → look again, element by element |
| **Layout tools** | No | `align_elements`, `distribute_elements`, `group / ungroup` |
| **File I/O** | No | `export_scene` / `import_scene` (.excalidraw JSON) |
| **Snapshot & rollback** | No | `snapshot_scene` / `restore_snapshot` |
| **Mermaid conversion** | No | `create_from_mermaid` |
| **Search** | No | `search_elements` — full-text search across labels |
| **Design guide** | `read_me` cheat sheet | `read_diagram_guide` (colors, sizing, layout, anti-patterns) |
| **Viewport control** | Camera animations | `set_viewport` (zoom-to-fit, center on element, manual zoom) |
| **Live canvas UI** | Rendered inline in chat | Standalone Excalidraw app synced via WebSocket |
| **Multi-agent** | Single user | Multiple agents can draw on the same canvas concurrently |
| **Works without MCP** | No | Yes — REST API fallback via agent skill |
## What Changed From Upstream
This fork extends [yctimlin/mcp_excalidraw](https://github.com/yctimlin/mcp_excalidraw) with the following enhancements:
| Area | Upstream | This Fork |
|---|---|---|
| **Storage** | In-memory (lost on restart) | SQLite with WAL mode, versioning, element history |
| **Multi-tenancy** | None | Workspace-based tenant isolation (auto-detected via `server.listRoots()`) |
| **Canvas lifecycle** | Separate process (2 terminals) | Embedded in MCP process (single `node dist/index.js`) |
| **Auto-sync** | Manual "Sync to Backend" button | Debounced auto-sync (3s idle) with manual override |
| **Canvas port** | Hardcoded 3000 | Configurable via `CANVAS_PORT` env var |
| **MCP tools** | 26 | 32 (added search, history, tenants, projects) |
| **Workspace switcher** | None | Dropdown with search in canvas UI |
| **Sync normalization** | Bound text breaks on reload | Elements normalized to MCP format before storage |
## Architecture
![Architecture](docs/screenshots/architecture.png)
- **Single process**: The MCP server embeds the canvas server. Starting the MCP starts both; stopping it stops both.
- **SQLite**: Stored at `~/.excalidraw-mcp/excalidraw.db` by default. WAL mode + `busy_timeout` for multi-process safety.
- **Multi-tenancy**: Each workspace gets an isolated tenant (SHA-256 hash of workspace path). The UI shows a workspace switcher dropdown with search.
## Environment Variables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|----------|-------------|---------|
| `CANVAS_PORT` | Port for the embedded canvas server | `3000` |
| `EXCALIDRAW_DB_PATH` | Path to the SQLite database file | `~/.excalidraw-mcp/excalidraw.db` |
| `EXCALIDRAW_EXPORT_DIR` | Allowed directory for file exports | `process.cwd()` |
| `EXPRESS_SERVER_URL` | Canvas server URL (only if running canvas separately) | `http://localhost:3000` |
| `EXCALIDRAW_API_KEY` | Shared secret for API key auth on all `/api/*` routes. When unset, auth is disabled (dev mode). | _(unset — auth off)_ |
| `ALLOWED_ORIGINS` | Comma-separated list of allowed CORS + WebSocket origins | `http://localhost:3000,http://127.0.0.1:3000` |
| `EXCALIDRAW_RATE_LIMIT_GENERAL_MAX` | Override the general API rate-limit ceiling (requests per 15-minute window) | `100` |
| `EXCALIDRAW_RATE_LIMIT_DESTRUCTIVE_MAX` | Override the destructive-operation rate-limit ceiling (requests per 1-minute window) | `10` |
| `EXCALIDRAW_RATE_LIMIT_WRITE_BURST_MAX` | Override the sync write-burst rate-limit ceiling (requests per 1-minute window) | `10` |
### Security configuration
**Enabling API key protection** (recommended for any network-accessible deployment):
```bash
EXCALIDRAW_API_KEY=your-secret-here node dist/server.js
```
All requests to `/api/*` must then include the header `X-API-Key: your-secret-here`. The `/health` endpoint is always exempt.
When `EXCALIDRAW_API_KEY` is set, the browser canvas UI receives the key automatically: `GET /` injects `window.__EXCALIDRAW_API_KEY__` into the served HTML, so the browser's WebSocket `hello` message can include it without any manual configuration. The WebSocket handshake uses a challenge-response protocol: the server sends `{ type: "auth_required" }` immediately on connect, the client must respond with a `hello` message containing `{ apiKey: "<key>" }` within 5 seconds, or the connection is closed (code 4001).
**Restricting CORS origins** (e.g. if your canvas UI is on a custom domain):
```bash
ALLOWED_ORIGINS=https://canvas.example.com,http://localhost:3000 node dist/server.js
```
This controls both REST CORS responses and WebSocket `Origin` verification. Requests with no `Origin` header (MCP stdio, curl, server-side tools) are always allowed.
## Multi-Tenancy (Workspaces)
Each workspace (codebase) gets an isolated canvas. The tenant is identified by a SHA-256 hash of the workspace path.
### How it works
1. **Auto-detection**: When the MCP starts, it calls `server.listRoots()` to get the actual workspace path from the MCP client. This is hashed to create a unique tenant ID.
2. **Per-request scoping**: Every HTTP request includes an `X-Tenant-Id` header. The canvas server uses this to scope all CRUD operations to the correct tenant.
3. **UI switcher**: The canvas UI shows a "Workspace: &lt;name&gt;" badge. Click it to open a dropdown with all known workspaces, complete with search.
4. **Multi-instance safe**: SQLite WAL mode with `busy_timeout = 5000ms` handles concurrent access from multiple client instances.
### Projects within a tenant
Each tenant can have multiple projects (collections of elements). Use the `list_projects` and `switch_project` MCP tools, or manage via the REST API.
## Agent Skill (Optional)
This repo includes a skill at `skills/excalidraw-skill/` that provides:
- **Workflow playbook** (`SKILL.md`): step-by-step guidance for drawing, refining, and exporting diagrams — including an iterative write-check-review cycle, sizing rules, color palettes, and anti-patterns
- **Cheatsheet** (`references/cheatsheet.md`): MCP tool and REST API reference for all 32 tools
- **Helper scripts** (`scripts/*.cjs`): export, import, clear, healthcheck, CRUD operations
### Install via Setup Wizard
The easiest way to install the skill:
```bash
npx @sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local setup
```
The wizard detects your installed agents and lets you choose which ones get the skill.
### Install Manually
Copy the skill folder to your agent's skill directory:
```bash
# Cursor
cp -R skills/excalidraw-skill ~/.cursor/skills/excalidraw-skill
# Claude Code
cp -R skills/excalidraw-skill ~/.claude/skills/excalidraw-skill
# Codex CLI
cp -R skills/excalidraw-skill ~/.codex/skills/excalidraw-skill
```
## MCP Tools (32 Total)
| Category | Tools |
|---|---|
| **Element CRUD** | `create_element`, `get_element`, `update_element`, `delete_element`, `query_elements`, `batch_create_elements`, `duplicate_elements` |
| **Layout** | `align_elements`, `distribute_elements`, `group_elements`, `ungroup_elements`, `lock_elements`, `unlock_elements` |
| **Scene Awareness** | `describe_scene`, `get_canvas_screenshot` ⚠️ |
| **File I/O** | `export_scene`, `import_scene`, `export_to_image` ⚠️, `export_to_excalidraw_url`, `create_from_mermaid` |
| **State Management** | `clear_canvas`, `snapshot_scene`, `restore_snapshot` |
| **Viewport** | `set_viewport` |
| **Design Guide** | `read_diagram_guide` |
| **Resources** | `get_resource` |
| **Search & History** | `search_elements`, `element_history` |
| **Multi-Tenancy** | `list_tenants`, `switch_tenant` |
| **Projects** | `list_projects`, `switch_project` |
Full schemas are discoverable via `tools/list` or in `skills/excalidraw-skill/references/cheatsheet.md`.
> ⚠️ **Requires open browser:** `get_canvas_screenshot` and `export_to_image` rely on the frontend rendering pipeline. The canvas UI must be open in a browser tab at `http://localhost:3000` for these tools to work. They return HTTP 503 if no browser is connected.
## Testing
### Health check
```bash
curl http://localhost:3000/health
```
### MCP Inspector
List tools:
```bash
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli \
-e CANVAS_PORT=3000 -- \
node dist/index.js --method tools/list
```
Create a rectangle:
```bash
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli \
-e CANVAS_PORT=3000 -- \
node dist/index.js --method tools/call --tool-name create_element \
--tool-arg type=rectangle --tool-arg x=100 --tool-arg y=100 \
--tool-arg width=300 --tool-arg height=200
```
## Troubleshooting
### `better-sqlite3` compilation failure
This is the most common installation issue. `better-sqlite3` is a native Node.js module that requires C++ build tools.
**Symptoms:**
- `npm install` fails with `gyp ERR!` or `prebuild-install` errors
- `npx` command fails during installation
- Error: `Cannot find module 'better-sqlite3'` at runtime
**Fix:**
1. Install build tools for your platform (see [Prerequisites](#prerequisites))
2. Rebuild the module:
```bash
npm rebuild better-sqlite3
```
3. Or run the setup wizard which handles this automatically:
```bash
npx @sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local setup
```
### EADDRINUSE (port already in use)
**Symptom:** Error `listen EADDRINUSE: address already in use :::3000`
**Fix:**
```bash
# Find what's using the port
lsof -i :3000
# Either kill the process or use a different port
CANVAS_PORT=3001 node dist/index.js
```
> The MCP server automatically detects and reuses an existing healthy canvas server on the same port, so this error is rare.
### Canvas not loading / "Frontend not found"
**Symptom:** Browser shows "Frontend not found" or blank page at `http://localhost:3000`
**Fix:**
```bash
npm run build # builds both frontend and server
node dist/index.js # restart
```
### NVM / path issues with npx
**Symptom:** `npx @sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local` hangs or uses the wrong Node version.
**Fix:**
```bash
# Ensure you're using a supported Node version
nvm use 20 # or 22
# Clear npm cache if npx is stale
npm cache clean --force
# Try with explicit node path in your MCP config
which node # copy this path
```
Then use the full path in your MCP config:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"excalidraw-canvas": {
"command": "/Users/you/.nvm/versions/node/v22.12.0/bin/npx",
"args": ["-y", "@sanjibdevnath/mcp-excalidraw-local"],
"env": { "CANVAS_PORT": "3000" }
}
}
}
```
### Canvas not updating / elements not syncing
**Fix:**
- Confirm the MCP process is running and the browser is connected (check the green status dot in the header)
- Click the "Sync" button in the canvas header for a manual sync
### Wrong workspace shown
The MCP uses `server.listRoots()` to detect the workspace. Restart your MCP client if the workspace changed.
## Known Issues / TODO
- [ ] **Image export requires a browser**: `export_to_image` and `get_canvas_screenshot` rely on the frontend rendering. The canvas UI must be open in a browser.
- [ ] **`export_to_excalidraw_url` blocked**: Organizations that block `excalidraw.com` cannot use shareable URL export. Use `export_scene` for local `.excalidraw` files instead.
Contributions welcome!
## Development
```bash
# Type check
npm run type-check
# Full build (frontend + server)
npm run build
# Dev mode (watch)
npm run dev
```
### Database
SQLite database: `~/.excalidraw-mcp/excalidraw.db`
Override with `EXCALIDRAW_DB_PATH` environment variable.
### REST API
The canvas server exposes a REST API alongside the WebSocket interface:
| Method | Endpoint | Description |
|--------|----------|-------------|
| GET | `/health` | Health check (auth-exempt) |
| GET | `/api/elements` | List all elements |
| POST | `/api/elements` | Create an element |
| GET | `/api/elements/search` | Search elements (`?q=term` for FTS, `?type=rectangle` for filter) |
| GET | `/api/elements/:id` | Get element by ID |
| PUT | `/api/elements/:id` | Update an element |
| DELETE | `/api/elements/:id` | Delete an element |
| DELETE | `/api/elements/clear` | Clear all elements (requires `?confirm=true`) |
| POST | `/api/elements/batch` | Batch create elements |
| POST | `/api/elements/from-mermaid` | Convert Mermaid diagram and broadcast to canvas |
| POST | `/api/elements/sync` | Bulk-replace all elements (canvas → server) |
| POST | `/api/elements/sync/v2` | Delta sync (changes since `lastSyncVersion`) |
| GET | `/api/sync/version` | Current sync version for a project |
| GET | `/api/sync/status` | Sync status (element count, memory usage) |
| GET | `/api/files` | List image files (in-memory) |
| POST | `/api/files` | Add image files |
| DELETE | `/api/files/:id` | Delete an image file |
| POST | `/api/export/image` | Request image export (requires open browser tab) |
| POST | `/api/export/image/result` | Deliver export result from frontend |
| POST | `/api/viewport` | Set canvas viewport (requires open browser tab) |
| POST | `/api/viewport/result` | Deliver viewport result from frontend |
| POST | `/api/snapshots` | Save a named snapshot |
| GET | `/api/snapshots` | List snapshots |
| GET | `/api/snapshots/:name` | Get snapshot by name |
| GET | `/api/tenants` | List all tenants |
| GET | `/api/tenant/active` | Get the active tenant |
| PUT | `/api/tenant/active` | Set the active tenant |
| GET | `/api/settings/:key` | Read a setting |
| PUT | `/api/settings/:key` | Write a setting |
All endpoints accept an `X-Tenant-Id` header for per-request tenant scoping. When `EXCALIDRAW_API_KEY` is set, all `/api/*` endpoints require `X-API-Key: <key>` (see [Security configuration](#security-configuration)).
## Credits
This project is forked from [yctimlin/mcp_excalidraw](https://github.com/yctimlin/mcp_excalidraw) — an excellent Excalidraw MCP server with a live canvas, 26 tools, real-time WebSocket sync, Mermaid conversion, and a comprehensive agent skill. Full credit to [@yctimlin](https://github.com/yctimlin) for the original design and implementation.
This fork adds SQLite persistence, multi-tenancy, auto-sync, embedded canvas lifecycle, and workspace management on top of that foundation.
Licensed under [MIT](LICENSE).