About drawx-mcp-server
drawx-mcp-server connects AI assistants in Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to DrawX for creating draw.io diagrams and architecture designs. It supports one-shot diagram generation, architecture design outputs, and API quota checks.
Key features
- 01Generate diagrams from natural language
- 02Modify existing draw.io XML
- 03Create HLD and optional LLD designs
- 04Choose cloud-agnostic or cloud-specific styles
- 05Check API plan and remaining quota
Use cases
- 01Draft a diagram from a text description
- 02Revise an existing draw.io diagram
- 03Create architecture designs from a brief
- 04Check API quota before further work
MCP support
Exposes generate_diagram, architect_design, and whoami tools to MCP clients. It calls the DrawX public API and requires a DrawX API key.
Configuration
Local server config is the same for every client. Copy it into your client’s MCP config file.
npx -y @drawx/mcp-serverDRAWX_API_KEYSecretYour DrawX API key (create one at https://getdrawx.com → Settings → API keys; starts with drawx_live_).DRAWX_API_BASEOverride the DrawX API base URL (defaults to https://getdrawx.com/api/v1).Local servers need a runtime on your machine (e.g. Node.js 18+). Config file locations differ by client; see your client’s docs.
Tools
3Saved tool list · updated 2w ago
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| mode | enum | No | Quality/speed tier. Default flash.flash | pro | ultra |
| prompt | string | Yes | What to draw, in plain language. |
| previousXml | string | No | Existing mxfile XML to modify (full updated document is returned). |
Details
From the project README@drawx/mcp-server
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).
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
Comments
New to MCP?
From what the protocol is to installing your first server, these answers cover most first questions.
An open protocol that defines how AI applications connect to external tools and data in a uniform way. Clients talk to the model; MCP servers provide tools, resources and prompt templates. They exchange standard messages, so one server can be reused by many clients.