DEDUPEDWho it is forSolo developer about to publish a repo who needs an architecture picture and does not want to open Figma or fight Mermaid
The problemREADME diagrams either look like default Mermaid output or take an hour in a drawing app.
The outcomeOne self-contained HTML file with an architecture diagram (frontend, backend, database, cache) you can open by double-clicking and export as PNG or SVG.
What you need first
- An Agent Skills compatible host such as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Qoder, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Cline, Windsurf or Amp
- Node.js for the npx install command
- A browser to open the generated HTML file
- Optional: a public website URL for brand onboarding
Steps
- Run: npx skills add cathrynlavery/diagram-design
- Ask your agent in plain words, for example: Make me an architecture diagram of my app: frontend, backend, database, Redis cache.
- Open the generated .html file in your browser and check the labels and arrows.
- Ask the agent to export a PNG or SVG and add it to your README.
Prompt for your agent
Using the diagram-design skill, draw an architecture diagram of <my project: components and how they connect> as a single HTML and SVG file. Then export it as SVG so I can embed it in the README, and tell me which diagram type you picked and why.
Caveat. The skill works from your description, so any component you forget to mention will be missing from the diagram. Check it against your real code before publishing.
About diagram-design
An agent skill that draws clean diagrams as a single HTML and SVG file in your brand. Part of this week's top 10 repos: ranked #8 on Repo Radar. View cathrynlavery/diagram-design on GitHub.
More with diagram-design
- Draw the plan before your agent writes the code Ask for a flow or sequence diagram of a proposed change and approve the design first.
- Draw your agent setup: tools, data flows and approval points Diagram which tools your AI agent can call, where data moves and where a human must approve.
- Map an unfamiliar repo's components before you change it Have your agent read a codebase and draw its parts and connections so you can orient before editing.
- Pair diagrams with a video skill to explain a GitHub repo Use the diagram skill alongside HyperFrames to turn a repo README into a short explainer video.
- Make every diagram match your website's colors and fonts Give the skill your site URL once and every later diagram uses your palette and fonts.
- Redraw an old Mermaid or draw.io diagram in a cleaner style Import an existing Mermaid, draw.io or Excalidraw file and get it back as a polished editorial diagram.
- Add light motion to a diagram that explains steps in order Turn on optional motion so a process diagram reveals its steps one after another.
Disclaimer
Deduped lists open-source repositories that belong to other people. We do not own, maintain, audit, or vouch for any of them, and a repo appearing here is not an endorsement or a safety check. The use cases, steps, and prompts are written by AI and may be incomplete, outdated, or just wrong. Where a use case is marked "Seen in the wild", we link to public posts where someone described something similar, but we have not verified those posts and the use case itself is still our AI's own write-up. Use all of this at your own risk. Only run code, commands, or agents on systems and accounts you are authorized to use, and read the code and every command before you run it, especially anything that touches credentials, files, or the network. Nothing here is professional, security, legal, or financial advice. All trademarks and project names belong to their respective owners, and their use here does not imply affiliation. Content is provided as is, without warranties of any kind. Found a mistake, a safety problem, or something you want removed? Email [email protected] and we will look at it promptly. Full disclaimer page