Excalidraw

Description

Excalidraw is an open-source virtual whiteboard for sketching hand-drawn-style diagrams, and a self-hostable alternative to Miro, Mural, and FigJam. It runs entirely in the browser on an infinite canvas, supports real-time collaboration in end-to-end encrypted rooms, and stores scenes locally so it works fully offline as a PWA. The editor is also published as an npm component, so it can be embedded in other applications.

Features

• Infinite canvas: Shapes, arrows, freedraw, text, images, and frames with a sketchy aesthetic.
• Real-time collaboration: Shareable rooms with end-to-end encryption; no account required.
• Libraries: Import and share reusable shape libraries from the community.
• Export: PNG, SVG, and clipboard; save/load .excalidraw scene files.
• Local-first: Scenes persist in the browser; optional self-hosted collaboration and storage back-ends.
• Embeddable: @excalidraw/excalidraw React component for integration.

Technology Stack

• TypeScript / React
• HTML canvas rendering
• Optional Node.js collaboration server and storage back-end
• Docker image for self-hosting the client

Requirements

• Docker (single-container client) for a basic deployment
• Additional collaboration and storage services for shared rooms
• A reverse proxy with TLS for production