Mermaid MCP Server

AI-powered Mermaid diagram generation using Model Context Protocol (MCP)

🎯 Overview

The Mermaid MCP Server enables AI assistants like GitHub Copilot, Claude, and custom LLM applications to generate professional architecture diagrams, flowcharts, sequence diagrams, and more using natural language. It provides a Model Context Protocol interface for seamless integration with AI coding assistants.

✨ Key Features

• 🤖 AI-Powered Generation: Create diagrams using natural language with GitHub Copilot or Claude
• 🎨 Production-Ready SVGs: XML-compliant, validated SVG files ready for any use
• 📦 50+ Pre-built Templates: Architecture patterns, workflows, and data models
• 🔧 Multiple Integrations: VS Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor IDE, CLI, and custom apps
• 🚀 22+ Diagram Types: Flowcharts, sequences, ERDs, state machines, Gantt charts, and more
• ⚡ Fast & Reliable: Browser-based rendering with Puppeteer for consistent output

📋 What's Included

Mermaid/
├── mermaid-mcp-server/          # Main MCP server
│   ├── src/                     # TypeScript source code
│   ├── dist/                    # Compiled JavaScript
│   ├── examples/architectures/  # 5 production-ready SVG samples
│   ├── package.json             # Dependencies
│   └── README.md                # Server documentation
├── Setup.md                     # Complete setup guide
├── UserGuide.md                 # Comprehensive usage guide
└── *.md                         # Analysis and documentation

🚀 Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18 or higher
• npm or yarn
• GitHub Copilot (recommended) or Claude Desktop

Installation

Option 1: Install from NPM (Recommended)

# Global installation - easiest way to get started
npm install -g @narasimhaponnada/mermaid-mcp-server

# Test the installation
mermaid-mcp --version

# The server is now ready to use with Copilot/Claude!

Option 2: Install from Source

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/Narasimhaponnada/mermaid-mcp.git
cd mermaid-mcp/mermaid-mcp-server

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Build the server
npm run build

# Generate sample diagrams
node generate-svg-samples.js

Configure with GitHub Copilot

Add to your VS Code settings (Cmd+Shift+P → "Preferences: Open User Settings (JSON)"):

If installed via NPM globally:

{
  "github.copilot.mcp.servers": {
    "mermaid": {
      "command": "mermaid-mcp"
    }
  }
}

If installed from source:

{
  "github.copilot.mcp.servers": {
    "mermaid": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/mermaid-mcp-server/dist/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

Use with Copilot

Open GitHub Copilot Chat and try:

Create a microservices architecture diagram for an e-commerce platform

Generate a CI/CD pipeline flowchart showing GitHub Actions workflow

Show me a sequence diagram for user authentication with OAuth

📚 Documentation

• Setup.md - Complete installation and configuration guide (807 lines)
• UserGuide.md - Comprehensive usage guide with examples (2,349 lines)
• mermaid-mcp-server/README.md - Server-specific documentation
• mermaid-mcp-server/PROJECT-SUMMARY.md - Technical deep-dive

🎨 Diagram Types Supported

• Process Diagrams: Flowcharts, Block Diagrams
• Interactions: Sequence Diagrams, User Journeys, Timelines
• Structure: Class Diagrams, ER Diagrams, C4 Diagrams, Architecture
• Data Visualization: Pie Charts, XY Charts, Sankey, Radar, Quadrant, Treemap
• Project Management: Gantt Charts, Requirement Diagrams, Kanban Boards
• Specialized: State Diagrams, Git Flow, Mindmaps, Packet Diagrams

🔌 Integration Methods

1. GitHub Copilot in VS Code - Daily development workflow
2. Claude Desktop - Standalone diagram generation
3. Cursor IDE - AI-first development
4. Direct CLI - Automation and scripting
5. MCP Inspector - Testing and debugging
6. Custom Applications - Build your own integrations

💡 Use Cases

• 📖 Documentation: Auto-generate architecture diagrams for docs
• 🔄 Code Reviews: Include diagrams in pull requests
• 👥 Onboarding: Visual guides for new developers
• 📊 Technical Proposals: Explain changes with visuals
• 🚨 Incident Response: Document incidents with timelines
• 💼 Client Presentations: Explain technical concepts visually
• 📚 Training Materials: Create consistent learning resources

🌟 Example Output

The server generates production-ready SVG files like these (included in examples/architectures/):

• microservices-architecture.svg (27KB) - Microservices with API Gateway
• cloud-infrastructure.svg (31KB) - Cloud infrastructure components
• cicd-pipeline.svg (28KB) - Complete CI/CD workflow
• data-pipeline.svg (24KB) - ETL data processing pipeline
• serverless-architecture.svg (31KB) - Event-driven serverless

All SVGs are XML-validated and render perfectly in browsers, documentation, and presentations.

🛠️ Technology Stack

• Node.js - Server runtime
• TypeScript - Type-safe development
• Puppeteer - Browser-based rendering
• Mermaid v10 - Diagramming library (via CDN)
• MCP SDK - Model Context Protocol implementation

📈 Project Status

• ✅ Production-Ready: All core features implemented and tested
• ✅ Validated: All SVG outputs are XML-compliant
• ✅ Documented: Comprehensive guides and examples
• ✅ Clean Codebase: 43 essential files, no cruft
• ✅ Battle-Tested: Fixed HTML-to-XML tag issues, subgraph syntax, etc.

🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to:

• Report bugs and issues
• Suggest new diagram types or features
• Submit pull requests
• Share usage examples and best practices

📄 License

MIT License - see mermaid-mcp-server/LICENSE for details

🙏 Acknowledgments

• Mermaid.js - Amazing diagramming library
• Model Context Protocol - Enabling AI tool integration
• GitHub Copilot - AI-powered development
• Puppeteer - Reliable browser automation

📞 Support

• 📖 Documentation: See Setup.md and UserGuide.md
• 🐛 Issues: Open an issue on GitHub
• 💬 Discussions: Start a discussion for questions
• 📧 Contact: Via GitHub profile

🚀 Getting Started

1. Read the setup guide: Setup.md
2. Install and configure: Follow the quick start above
3. Try it out: Generate your first diagram with Copilot
4. Explore use cases: Check UserGuide.md
5. Integrate into your project: Use one of 6 integration methods

Last Updated: October 30, 2025
Author: Narasimha Rao Ponnada
Version: 1.0.0

Start creating amazing diagrams with AI! 🎨📊✨