excalidraw - Setup Guide¶
Source: nousresearch/hermes-agent
Skill: excalidraw
Installs: 342
The excalidraw skill allows Hermes agents to create hand-drawn style diagrams, wireframes, flowcharts, and sketches directly from text descriptions. Uses the Excalidraw library for the distinctive sketch-like aesthetic that communicates "work in progress" and encourages collaboration.
Installation¶
npx skills add https://github.com/nousresearch/hermes-agent --skill excalidraw
After install, reload skills:
- Hermes CLI: /reload-skills or restart session
- Hermes gateway: /restart or hermes gateway restart
Prerequisites¶
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Hermes Agent | v0.20.0+ |
| Canvas | Diagram concept or architecture to visualize |
Capabilities¶
| Capability | Trigger | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture diagram | "Diagram the CorpusIQ MCP architecture" | Excalidraw file or exported PNG |
| Flowchart | "Map the user onboarding flow" | Process flowchart |
| Wireframe | "Wireframe a dashboard layout" | Low-fidelity UI wireframe |
| System diagram | "Show how services connect" | System architecture diagram |
| Mind map | "Map out the growth strategy" | Visual mind map |
| Sequence diagram | "Show the OAuth flow" | Sequence/timeline diagram |
Key Features¶
- Hand-drawn aesthetic: Sketch-like lines that signal draft status
- JSON-native: Excalidraw files are plain JSON - easy to version in git
- Export options: PNG, SVG, or embeddable links
- Library integration: Rich shape library with custom components
- Collaboration: Live multi-user editing via excalidraw.com
CLI/Command Reference¶
The skill integrates with Hermes' file and rendering tools:
- Diagrams are written as .excalidraw JSON files
- Export via Excalidraw API or browser automation
- Combine with browser_use to automate Excalidraw.com exports
- Embed in docs with markdown-viewer skill for rich rendering
CorpusIQ Use Cases¶
- Architecture documentation - System diagrams for corpusiq-docs
- Product specs - Wireframes for new features under development
- Client deliverables - Architecture diagrams for enterprise proposals
- Internal communication - Flowcharts for growth and product processes
- Pitch decks - Visual diagrams for investor and partner presentations
- Technical blog posts - Diagrams for the CorpusIQ engineering blog
Troubleshooting¶
| Issue | Likely Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| JSON parse errors | Malformed Excalidraw structure | Validate against Excalidraw schema |
| Export fails | Missing browser | Use browser_use or browser_navigate |
| Shapes misaligned | Coordinate overflow | Keep diagrams under 2000x2000 px |
Verification¶
After installation, verify the skill is loaded:
hermes skills list | grep excalidraw
Test with a diagram request:
"Create an Excalidraw diagram of the CorpusIQ system architecture showing MCP server, agents, and connectors"
Integration with CorpusIQ¶
CorpusIQ is the connector layer that lets AI assistants read the systems a business already runs on - accounting, payments, CRM, email, files and analytics - and answer with the source named. It is read-only by design: it retrieves data and never writes to, or acts in, a connected system, which is what makes it safe to point at live accounts.
This page is part of the CorpusIQ directory, the reference we maintain for the MCP server and agent-skill ecosystem. Run alongside CorpusIQ, a third-party server like this one can be combined with a company's own business data in a single answer.