Excalidraw Architect MCP vs Illustrator MCP Server
A side-by-side look at the Excalidraw Architect MCP and Illustrator MCP Server MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Excalidraw Architect MCP for architecture & design work as a local process; choose Illustrator MCP Server for architecture & design as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Excalidraw Architect MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
create_diagram, mermaid_to_excalidraw, modify_diagram.
Choose Illustrator MCP Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
ILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_NORMAL, ILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_HEAVY. - You want tools like
get_document_info, get_artboards, get_layers.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Architecture & Design | Architecture & Design |
| Quality signal | 64/100 · Good | 69/100 · Great |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Free | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | ILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_NORMALILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_HEAVY |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 159 | 172 |
| Directory activity | 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 6 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 26 | 66 |
| Full listing | View Excalidraw Architect MCP | View Illustrator MCP Server |
Tools & capabilities
Excalidraw Architect MCP tools 26
create_diagramCreate a new Excalidraw diagram of any supported type. Two input modes: 1. **Graph types** (``architecture``, ``flowchart``) - pass ``nodes`` and ``connections``. The tool handles layout, styling, and rendering; no coordinates needed. 2. **Typed diagrams** (every other type) - pass ``diagram_type`` and a ``spec`` object shaped for that type. Call ``list_diagram_types`` to choose a type and ``get_diagram_schema`` to see its spec shape.mermaid_to_excalidrawConvert Mermaid flowchart syntax into an Excalidraw diagram. Supports the mermaid flowchart subset that AI agents commonly generate: - Directions: graph TD, LR, BT, RL - Node shapes: [text], {text}, ((text)), ([text]) - Edge types: -->, ---, -.-> ==> with |label| - Subgraphs: subgraph Title ... end Component types are auto-detected from node labels (e.g., a node labeled "PostgreSQL DB" automatically gets database styling).modify_diagramModify an existing Excalidraw diagram created by this tool. Supports iterative editing: add components, remove nodes, update labels, and rewire connections - without recreating the entire diagram. IMPORTANT: Call get_diagram_info first to understand the current diagram state before making modifications. For **typed diagrams** (sequence, pyramid, bar, swimlane, ...) there is a single operation: {"op": "update_spec", "patch": {"tiers": [...], "title": "New title"}} The patch is deep-merged into the stored spec and the diagram re-rendered. Lists are replaced wholesale, so send the complete list to change one entry. The node/connection operations below apply to architecture and flowchart diagrams only.get_diagram_infoGet a structured summary of an existing Excalidraw diagram. Call this BEFORE modify_diagram to understand what nodes and connections currently exist. The summary includes node ids, labels, component types, and the full connection topology.export_diagramExport an .excalidraw file to SVG or PNG image. Converts an existing .excalidraw diagram into a portable image file without requiring a browser or the Excalidraw application.list_diagram_typesList every supported diagram type with guidance on when to use it. Call this BEFORE create_diagram when the right diagram type isn't obvious. Picking the wrong type is the most common way a diagram fails - a swimlane drawn as a flowchart loses the handoffs that were the point. Two rules worth applying whatever you pick: - Target density ~4/10. Above 9 nodes it is probably two diagrams. - Mark only 1-2 elements "focal": true. The accent color is a signal, and using it everywhere destroys it. Returns: A table of type -> family, when to use it, and when not to.get_diagram_schemaGet the JSON schema and selection guidance for one diagram type. Call this before passing a `spec` to create_diagram for a type you have not used yet, so the payload matches on the first attempt.kg_initCreate a new architecture knowledge graph file (markdown). The knowledge graph is the persistent source of truth for your system's services and dependencies. Diagrams are rendered *from* it.kg_add_serviceAdd or update a service in the knowledge graph.kg_remove_serviceRemove a service and all dependencies touching it.kg_linkAdd a directed dependency: ``from_id`` depends on / calls ``to_id``. Both services must already exist (add them with kg_add_service first). ``style`` is one of solid/dashed/dotted/thick.kg_unlinkRemove the dependency ``from_id`` -> ``to_id``.- +14 more on the listing page
Illustrator MCP Server tools 66
get_document_infoGet document metadataget_artboardsGet all artboard informationget_layersGet layer structure as a treeget_selectionGet detailed information about the currently selected objects. While editing text (text cursor or selected characters), the containing text frame is returned with a textSelection field (selected contents, length, start; insertionPoint: true for a bare cursor).list_text_framesList text frames with summary-level information (including orientation and threaded-frame links nextFrameUUID/previousFrameUUID). Supports reading-order sort, pagination, and a lightweight contents-only mode. layer_name includes text inside groups and sublayers of that layer.get_text_frame_detailGet detailed text frame attributes including per-character runs (font, tracking, akiLeft/akiRight, tsume, proportionalMetrics), kerning pairs with manual kerning values (1/1000 em), paragraph attributes (leading, autoLeading, paragraph style), orientation (horizontal/vertical) and threaded-frame links (nextFrameUUID/previousFrameUUID). Returns cssHints for web/CSS reproduction.get_colorsGet all color information used in the document. usedFillColors / usedStrokeColors list each distinct color once with a count of how many paths and text ranges use it (most used first).get_path_itemsGet path and shape data, including paths inside groups and compound paths (clipping: true marks a clipping-mask path). Note: fill/stroke do not include per-attribute opacity; use the item-level opacity field for transparency.get_guidelinesGet guide informationget_groupsGet structure of groups, clipping masks, and compound paths. Children of a clipping-mask group mark the mask path with clipping: true. When depth cuts the tree off, the item has childrenTruncated: true and childCount (children is empty only because of the depth limit).get_effectsGet effect and appearance informationget_imagesGet embedded and linked image information: file path, broken-link status (linkBroken: file missing on disk), pixel size, and effective resolution (ppi at the placed size; rotation-safe).- +54 more on the listing page
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Excalidraw Architect MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"bv-venky-excalidraw-architect-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"excalidraw-architect-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Illustrator MCP Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"illustrator-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"illustrator-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"ILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_NORMAL": "YOUR_ILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_NORMAL_HERE",
"ILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_HEAVY": "YOUR_ILLUSTRATOR_MCP_TIMEOUT_HEAVY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Excalidraw Architect MCP is categorized under Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Illustrator MCP Server belongs to Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Excalidraw Architect MCP for architecture & design work and Illustrator MCP Server for architecture & design.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Excalidraw Architect MCP is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Illustrator MCP Server has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add bv-venky-excalidraw-architect-mcp and illustrator-mcp-server as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Excalidraw Architect MCP has a quality signal of 64/100 (Good) with 4 views, 0 installs and 159 GitHub stars. Illustrator MCP Server has 69/100 (Great) with 6 views, 0 installs and 172 GitHub stars.