---
title: "Draw.io MCP Server by lgazo: Edit Live Diagrams With an AI"
url: "https://mcpshelf.co/servers/drawio-lgazo"
description: "A community server that lets an assistant draw and edit a live draw.io diagram: shapes, edges, layers, pages and Mermaid import. Built-in editor."
updated: "2026-10-27"
site: "MCP Shelf"
---

# Draw.io MCP Server (lgazo)

> Lets an assistant draw and edit a live draw.io diagram, shape by shape.

Source: https://mcpshelf.co/servers/drawio-lgazo  
Markdown: https://mcpshelf.co/servers/drawio-lgazo.md  
Generated: 2026-10-27T13:29:02.971Z

## Facts

- **Name:** Draw.io MCP Server (lgazo)
- **Tagline:** Lets an assistant draw and edit a live draw.io diagram, shape by shape.
- **Description:** Draw.io MCP Server by Ladislav Gazo is an open source server that lets an assistant read and edit a live draw.io diagram shape by shape, in a built-in editor or on app.diagrams.net.
- **Repository:** https://github.com/lgazo/drawio-mcp-server
- **Package:** drawio-mcp-server 2.3.0 (npm)
- **Install:** `npx drawio-mcp-server install claude-desktop`
- **Transport:** stdio (local)
- **Auth:** No required keys or settings listed
- **Tools exposed:** 30: `add-cell-of-shape`, `add-edge`, `add-rectangle`, `copy-page`, `create-layer`, `create-page`, `delete-cell-by-id`, `edit-cell`, `edit-edge`, `export-diagram`, `get-active-layer`, `get-current-page`, `get-selected-cell`, `get-shape-by-name`, `get-shape-categories`, `get-shapes-in-category`, `import-diagram`, `import-mermaid`, `list-documents`, `list-layers`, `list-paged-model`, `list-pages`, `move-cell-to-layer`, `rename-page`, `save-document`, `set-active-layer`, `set-cell-data`, `set-cell-parent`, `set-cell-shape`, `set-document-title`
- **Category:** Design, 3D and games (https://mcpshelf.co/categories/design-and-3d)
- **Stats:** 1.5K GitHub stars, 443 downloads a week, last commit 13 Oct 2026, 0 upvotes on MCP Shelf
- **Install check:** Needs your setup first
- **Listed:** 2026-10-27
- **Page updated:** 2026-10-27

## Full description

### What is Draw.io MCP Server (lgazo)?

**Draw.io MCP Server by Ladislav Gazo is an open source server that lets an assistant read and edit a live draw.io diagram shape by shape, in a built-in editor or on app.diagrams.net.**

Ladislav Gazo's server drives a draw.io editor that is open in your browser. With the --editor flag it hosts the editor itself on your computer, so you open a local page and watch the model add shapes, connect them, group them, sort them into layers and pages, and import Mermaid diagrams. A browser extension can connect it to the draw.io website instead.

It is a different project from draw.io's own MCP server, which is also on this shelf. That one generates a diagram from a prompt; this one edits a diagram step by step while you watch, and can read back what is already on the canvas. Cloud provider and Cisco stencils are found automatically, so the model can place real AWS, Azure or GCP icons.

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Made by | Ladislav Gazo (lgazo/drawio-mcp-server) |
| GitHub | https://github.com/lgazo/drawio-mcp-server |
| Licence | MIT |
| npm package | [drawio-mcp-server](https://www.npmjs.com/package/drawio-mcp-server) 2.3.0 (15 Sept 2026) |
| GitHub stars | 1.5K |
| Downloads | 443 a week |
| Last commit | 13 Oct 2026 |
| Tools | 30 |
| Runs on | Your computer |
| Install check | Needs your setup first |
| Category | [Design, 3D and games](https://mcpshelf.co/categories/design-and-3d) |
| Setup checked | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Page updated | 27 Oct 2026 |

**Our check:** It needs something our Linux test machine does not have (an account, a desktop app, a Mac or a running service), so on 27 Oct 2026 we read its tools from the source code instead of running this config.

#### MCP Shelf take

> Draw.io MCP Server (lgazo) needs something our Linux test machine does not have (an account, an app or a service), so on 27 Oct 2026 we read its source and counted 30 tools. 10 of the 30 only read; the other 20 can change things. It sits 14th of 14 in its category on our shelf by GitHub stars (1.5K, with 443 downloads a week).

— MCP Shelf tests (numbers from our own runs), tested on 27 Oct 2026

### What tools does Draw.io MCP Server (lgazo) have?

We listed 30 tools on 27 Oct 2026. 10 only read; the rest can change things or run commands.

| Tool | Kind | What it is for |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `add-cell-of-shape` | changes | Adds any library shape, such as a database or an AWS icon. |
| `add-edge` | changes | Connects two shapes, with optional waypoints and style. |
| `add-rectangle` | changes | Adds a rectangle with text, position, size and style. |
| `copy-page` | changes | Duplicates a page. |
| `create-layer` | changes | Adds a layer. |
| `create-page` | changes | Adds a blank page. |
| `delete-cell-by-id` | changes | Deletes a shape or connector. |
| `edit-cell` | changes | Changes a shape's text, position, size or style. |
| `edit-edge` | changes | Changes a connector's text, ends, waypoints or style. |
| `export-diagram` | changes | Exports a page as SVG, PNG or draw.io XML. |
| `get-active-layer` | reads | Shows which layer new shapes go into. |
| `get-current-page` | reads | Shows which page is visible. |
| `get-selected-cell` | reads | Returns the shape or connector you have selected. |
| `get-shape-by-name` | reads | Finds a shape by its name. |
| `get-shape-categories` | reads | Lists the shape libraries available, including cloud and Cisco stencils. |
| `get-shapes-in-category` | reads | Lists the shapes in one library. |
| `import-diagram` | changes | Imports draw.io XML, or an SVG or PNG with the diagram embedded. |
| `import-mermaid` | changes | Converts Mermaid code into draw.io shapes on a page. |
| `list-documents` | reads | Lists the draw.io documents connected to the server, so later calls can target one. |
| `list-layers` | reads | Lists the layers on a page. |
| `list-paged-model` | reads | Lists the shapes and connectors on a page, a batch at a time. |
| `list-pages` | reads | Lists the pages in the document. |
| `move-cell-to-layer` | changes | Moves a shape to another layer. |
| `rename-page` | changes | Renames a page. |
| `save-document` | changes | Runs draw.io's own File > Save. |
| `set-active-layer` | changes | Chooses the layer for new shapes. |
| `set-cell-data` | changes | Sets a custom attribute on a shape. |
| `set-cell-parent` | changes | Nests a shape inside another, for groups and containers. |
| `set-cell-shape` | changes | Restyles a shape to look like a library shape. |
| `set-document-title` | changes | Renames the open document. |

### How do I install Draw.io MCP Server (lgazo)?

#### What you need first

- Node.js 22 or newer
- A browser to open the local editor

#### Fastest way: one command

```bash
npx drawio-mcp-server install claude-desktop
```

Swap claude-desktop for claude-code, codex, zed, opencode or all, and it writes the config for that app. In Claude Code you can also use the plugin: /plugin marketplace add lgazo/drawio-mcp-server, then /plugin install drawio.

#### Claude Code

Where: Your terminal, in the project folder

```bash
claude mcp add drawio-lgazo -- npx -y drawio-mcp-server --editor
```

Or use the plugin: run /plugin marketplace add lgazo/drawio-mcp-server, then /plugin install drawio. Once the server is running, open http://localhost:3000/ to watch the diagram change.

#### Cursor

Where: ~/.cursor/mcp.json, or .cursor/mcp.json in a project

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "drawio-lgazo": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "drawio-mcp-server",
        "--editor"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

#### Claude Desktop

Where: claude_desktop_config.json (Settings → Developer → Edit Config)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "drawio-lgazo": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "drawio-mcp-server",
        "--editor"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

Quicker: run npx drawio-mcp-server install claude-desktop and it writes this entry for you. Restart Claude, then open http://localhost:3000/ in your browser to see the editor.

#### VS Code

Where: .vscode/mcp.json in your project

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "drawio-lgazo": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "drawio-mcp-server",
        "--editor"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

#### Windsurf

Where: ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "drawio-lgazo": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "drawio-mcp-server",
        "--editor"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

#### ChatGPT

Where: Not supported

ChatGPT only connects to remote servers by URL. This one runs on your computer, so use Claude, Cursor or VS Code.

After your client starts the server, open http://localhost:3000/ to see the editor. Leave out "--editor" if you use the browser extension with app.diagrams.net instead. Running npx drawio-mcp-server install claude-desktop (or claude-code, codex, zed, opencode) writes this config for you.

Checked against the project's own install docs on 27 Oct 2026: https://github.com/lgazo/drawio-mcp-server#readme, https://github.com/lgazo/drawio-mcp-server/blob/main/CONFIG.md

### How do I configure Draw.io MCP Server (lgazo)?

| Setting | Kind | Required | What it does |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `--editor` | flag | no | Hosts a draw.io editor on your computer at http://localhost:3000/. Without it, the server waits for the browser extension. |
| `--http-port` | flag | no | Moves the built-in editor to another port, if 3000 is taken. Example: `--http-port 4000` |
| `--extension-port` | flag | no | WebSocket port the browser extension connects to. Default 3333. Example: `--extension-port 3334` |
| `--transport` | flag | no | stdio (the default), http, or both, for clients that connect over the network. Example: `--transport stdio,http` |

### What can Draw.io MCP Server (lgazo) read and change?

**It can read**

- The diagrams open in the connected editor or browser tab

**It can change**

- Shapes, connectors, layers and pages in those diagrams
- The saved file, when the model calls save-document

**Safer setup:** Work on a copy of an important diagram, and save it yourself after checking the changes.

### Good for

- Building an architecture diagram with real cloud icons
- Tidying or extending a diagram that already exists
- Turning a Mermaid sketch into an editable draw.io file

### Draw.io MCP Server (lgazo) not working? Common fixes

**The tools say no document is connected**
Open http://localhost:3000/ after the client starts the server, or make sure the browser extension shows a green signal.

**Port 3000 is already in use**
Another app has it. Add --http-port 4000 to the arguments and open that port instead.

**The server will not start**
It needs Node.js 22 or newer. Check with node --version.

**Firefox will not connect to the server**
Firefox needs the TLS mode. Turn it on as described in CONFIG.md; the server can make a local certificate for you.

### What are the alternatives to Draw.io MCP Server (lgazo)?

| Server | What it does | Tools | Runs on | Licence | Stars |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Draw.io MCP Server (lgazo)](https://mcpshelf.co/servers/drawio-lgazo) | Lets an assistant draw and edit a live draw.io diagram, shape by shape. | 30 | Your computer | MIT | 1.5K |
| [Blender MCP](https://mcpshelf.co/servers/blender) | Prompt-driven modelling in a running copy of Blender. | 9 | Your computer | MIT | 32.5K |
| [Framelink Figma MCP](https://mcpshelf.co/servers/framelink-figma) | Feeds Figma layout and styling to coding agents so the UI matches the design. | 2 | Your computer | MIT | 16.1K |
| [Talk to Figma](https://mcpshelf.co/servers/talk-to-figma) | Read and edit Figma documents from an agent, through a Figma plugin. | 40 | Your computer | MIT | 7.1K |
| [Godot MCP](https://mcpshelf.co/servers/godot) | Launch, run and debug Godot projects, and read the output. | 14 | Your computer | MIT | 6.4K |
| [KiCad MCP](https://mcpshelf.co/servers/kicad) | Create boards, place footprints and route traces in KiCad from an assistant. | 247 | Your computer | MIT | 3K |

### Draw.io MCP Server (lgazo) FAQ

#### How do I add Draw.io MCP Server to Claude Code?

Install the plugin with /plugin marketplace add lgazo/drawio-mcp-server and then /plugin install drawio, or run npx drawio-mcp-server install claude-code. Open http://localhost:3000/ to see the editor.

#### How do I use it with Claude Desktop?

Run npx drawio-mcp-server install claude-desktop, or add an entry that runs npx -y drawio-mcp-server --editor. Restart Claude and open the local editor in your browser.

#### How is this different from the official draw.io MCP server?

draw.io's own server builds a diagram from a prompt in one go. This one controls a live editor shape by shape, so it can read and change a diagram you already have.

#### Do I need the browser extension?

No. With --editor the server hosts the editor itself on port 3000. The extension is only for working on the draw.io website instead.

#### Does the draw.io desktop app work?

Not yet. The author says a security policy in the desktop app blocks the connection, so use the built-in editor or the website with the extension.

#### Why do the tools say no document is connected?

The server needs an open editor to work on. Open http://localhost:3000/ in a browser, or open app.diagrams.net with the extension installed, before asking for changes.

#### Does it work with ChatGPT?

No. It runs on your computer next to the editor, and ChatGPT only connects to remote servers by URL. Use Claude, Codex, Zed or OpenCode.

#### Is Draw.io MCP Server free?

Yes. It is MIT licensed, needs Node.js 22 or newer, and draw.io itself is free.

Full docs on GitHub: https://github.com/lgazo/drawio-mcp-server

## Notes for agents

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- llms-full.txt: https://mcpshelf.co/llms-full.txt
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- MCP server: https://mcpshelf.co/mcp
- MCP manifest: https://mcpshelf.co/.well-known/mcp.json
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