# draw.io — Self-Hosted Diagramming and Whiteboarding Platform

> An open-source diagramming tool for flowcharts, network diagrams, UML, and more that runs entirely in the browser with optional self-hosting.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# draw.io — Self-Hosted Diagramming and Whiteboarding Platform

## Quick Use
```bash
docker run -d --name drawio -p 8080:8080 jgraph/drawio
# Open http://localhost:8080 in your browser
```

## Introduction
draw.io is a free, open-source diagramming application that runs entirely in the browser. It supports flowcharts, network diagrams, UML, ER diagrams, and more with no account required and no data leaving your machine.

## What draw.io Does
- Creates professional diagrams with a drag-and-drop visual editor
- Supports dozens of diagram types including flowcharts, UML, ER, network, and org charts
- Stores files locally, on Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or GitHub
- Exports to PNG, SVG, PDF, VSDX, and XML formats
- Integrates with Confluence, Jira, Notion, and VS Code

## Architecture Overview
draw.io is a client-side JavaScript application. The editor runs entirely in the browser using mxGraph as the rendering engine. The Docker image bundles a Tomcat server that serves the static frontend. No server-side processing of diagram data occurs, making it privacy-friendly by design.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Deploy via Docker: `docker run -d -p 8080:8080 jgraph/drawio`
- Configure with environment variables for CSP headers and export settings
- Set DRAWIO_SELF_CONTAINED=true to disable external resource loading
- Use DRAWIO_SERVER_URL for custom domain configuration
- Supports HTTPS via reverse proxy with Nginx or Traefik

## Key Features
- Fully offline capable with no data sent to external servers
- Over 100 built-in shape libraries covering AWS, Azure, GCP, Cisco, and UML
- Desktop versions available for Windows, macOS, and Linux via Electron
- Plugins for VS Code, Confluence, Jira, and Google Workspace
- Import and export Visio (.vsdx) files directly

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Excalidraw** — Hand-drawn style whiteboarding; draw.io offers more formal diagram types and shape libraries
- **Lucidchart** — Commercial SaaS with collaboration; draw.io is free and fully self-hostable
- **Mermaid** — Text-based diagram generation; draw.io provides a visual WYSIWYG editor
- **yEd** — Desktop-only diagramming tool; draw.io runs in any browser with cloud storage options
- **PlantUML** — Code-to-diagram for UML; draw.io covers broader diagram types with a visual interface

## FAQ
**Q: Is draw.io truly free?**
A: Yes. The core application is free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license with no usage limits or premium tiers.

**Q: Can I use draw.io without an internet connection?**
A: Yes. The desktop app works fully offline, and the self-hosted Docker version requires no external connectivity.

**Q: Does draw.io store my data on its servers?**
A: No. Diagrams are processed entirely in the browser. Storage is handled by your chosen backend such as local disk, Google Drive, or GitHub.

**Q: How do I migrate from Visio?**
A: draw.io can import .vsdx files directly. Open the file via the import menu and the diagram will be converted automatically.

## Sources
- https://github.com/jgraph/drawio-desktop
- https://www.drawio.com/

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/9ff6404d-3eef-11f1-9bc6-00163e2b0d79
Author: Script Depot