Excalimate MCP
An Excalidraw MCP server: the agent draws a diagram and adds keyframe animation while you watch it assemble live in the browser
- 100 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- The server runs from an npm package on your computer and listens on a local port
- When exposed beyond loopback it needs a token and an allowed-hosts list, otherwise anyone on the network can reach the scene
Install
- Works in
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add mcp/excalimateDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The server runs from an npm package on your computer and listens on a local port
- When exposed beyond loopback it needs a token and an allowed-hosts list, otherwise anyone on the network can reach the scene
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
Excalimate turns Excalidraw diagrams into keyframe animations: opacity, position, scale, rotation and arrow draw-on. Results export to MP4, WebM, GIF, animated SVG, Lottie and dotLottie. The `@excalimate/mcp-server` package gives an agent 35 tools. Some create and edit scene elements, others add keyframes, camera moves and staggered element reveals. Six structured tools (`auto_animate`, `apply_animation_preset`, `upsert_action_sequence`, `create_camera_move`, `get_action_sequence`, `validate_project`) build animation from ready recipes without hand-set frames. The server runs locally over HTTP on `127.0.0.1:3001` or over stdio. In HTTP mode it prints a pairing URL: paste it into the settings of the app.excalimate.com web app, press Live, and the agent's edits show up in the editor as it works. The server sends scene content nowhere and calls no model.
Who it is for. Developers and educators who need an animated architecture or process diagram that an agent assembles from a description.
Good fit when
- An architecture diagram or call chain must be animated for docs, a README or a slide deck
- An agent should build a diagram from a text description and show it in the editor right away
- A GIF or MP4 from a hand-drawn diagram is needed for an announcement or tutorial
- Camera moves and staggered block reveals are easier to hand to an agent than to drag frame by frame
Not a fit when
- A static diagram with no animation is enough: plain Excalidraw or its MCP server will do
- Video editing with audio tracks and complex transitions is required
- The server would be exposed on a shared network without a token: without one it must stay on loopback
Example request
Draw a three-block diagram of client, API and database, animate the blocks and arrows appearing one after another, then show it in LiveMCP
- Transport
- http, stdio
- Authentication
- not required
Environment variables
EXCALIMATE_HOST- Server bind address, 127.0.0.1 by default. Network access requires a token.
Limitations
The author warns that a considerable part of the code was written with AI and cleanup and bug fixing are still under way, so use the package with care. Live preview works only in HTTP mode: in Claude Desktop (stdio) the scene is saved as a checkpoint with `save_checkpoint` and loaded into the web app by hand. State is tied to the MCP session and kept for 30 minutes of idleness, with up to 16 sessions at once. The `share_project` tool is deprecated and uploads no content. Node.js is required, and the development README names Node.js 24.
How to disable. Stop the `npx @excalimate/mcp-server` process and remove the `excalimate` entry from the client's MCP configuration. In Claude Code the command is `claude mcp remove excalimate`.
FAQ
How do I connect Excalimate to Claude Code?
Run `npx @excalimate/mcp-server` and add the server with `claude mcp add excalimate http://127.0.0.1:3001/mcp`. After the session initializes, the server prints a pairing URL for the web app.
How do I watch the agent work in real time?
Open app.excalimate.com, paste the pairing URL into File, Preferences as the MCP server URL and press Live. Each session gets its own unguessable preview URL.
Does the server work with Claude Desktop?
Yes, over stdio: add the `npx` command with the arguments `@excalimate/mcp-server` and `--stdio` to the configuration. There is no live preview in this mode, so save the scene with `save_checkpoint`.
Does the server send the scene to external services?
No, analysis and animation building run locally and deterministically. Understanding the text request stays with the connected client, and the server calls no model.
Which export formats are available?
MP4, WebM, GIF, animated SVG, Lottie and dotLottie. Export runs in the web app, while the MCP server only builds the scene and animation.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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Comparison with similar tools
Cards that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Tool | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excalimate (this card) | no | not required | 100 | |
| Excalidraw Architect MCP | no | not required | 163 | draws static architecture diagrams, whereas Excalimate animates them with keyframes and exports video |
| Excalidraw MCP | yes | not required | 5,667 | the official server creates diagrams in chat, with no timeline, camera or GIF and MP4 export |
README in short
The documentation covers a web editor built on Excalidraw with a timeline, per-element tracks, camera animation and export to several formats, plus encrypted project sharing by link. A separate part covers the MCP server: launch modes, security settings, the list of 35 tools and configurations for VS Code, Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and Windsurf.