A native Excalidraw client for macOS, iPadOS, and iOS. Powered by SwiftUI.

Excalidraw is an excellent drawing tool. ExcalidrawZ keeps the familiar Excalidraw canvas, then adds native file management, iCloud sync, history, export, AI assistance, MCP integration, and Apple-platform interaction details around it.

Download

Non-App Store version

1. Download the latest .dmg from Releases.
2. Open the .dmg and drag ExcalidrawZ into Applications.

Preview

Features

Native File Management

ExcalidrawZ manages drawings as real app documents instead of loose browser downloads.

• Organize drawings with groups and custom file sorting.
• Work with ExcalidrawZ library files, local folders, and temporary external files.
• Open and edit .excalidraw, .excalidraw.png, and .excalidraw.svg files directly.
• Sync app-managed files across macOS, iPadOS, and iOS with iCloud.
• Keep file history checkpoints so important changes can be reviewed and restored.

File History

ExcalidrawZ records checkpoints for app-managed drawings, so you can review earlier versions and restore important work when needed.

Excalidraw Editing, Native Controls

The canvas remains compatible with Excalidraw while the surrounding app is built for Apple platforms.

• Customize toolbar tool order; number shortcuts follow your configured order.
• Use Apple Pencil on iPad, including familiar undo and redo gestures.
• Use mouse and trackpad scroll and zoom gestures on iPad and iPhone.
• Import PDFs and convert Mermaid diagrams into editable Excalidraw content.

Collaboration

Use Excalidraw collaboration when you want to draw with others.

AI Drawing Assistant

ExcalidrawZ includes an AI assistant designed for canvas work.

• Ask AI to read, create, and revise drawings.
• Attach images and let AI use visual context when needed.
• Use proposal previews before applying AI-generated content to the real canvas.
• Control whether each file is visible to AI.
• Use AI from compact iPhone toolbars, iPad floating panels, or the macOS inspector.

MCP Services

ExcalidrawZ can expose the current app as an MCP server for compatible AI clients.

• Basic mode provides the familiar excalidraw-mcp drawing workflow.
• Optimized mode adds deeper ExcalidrawZ integration for current-file editing, file navigation, history, canvas inspection, export, library workflows, and math tools.
• Connect local MCP clients through the app-hosted HTTP endpoint.

Math and Diagram Tools

ExcalidrawZ includes richer tools for technical drawings and study notes.

• Insert LaTeX-rendered formulas.
• Render function graphs with configurable axes and styles.
• Use reusable math templates and AI-assisted formula generation.
• Edit inserted math images later from the canvas.

Locked Files and AI Visibility

For sensitive drawings, ExcalidrawZ adds protection around both storage and AI access.

• Lock files with local authentication.
• Encrypt locked files and their checkpoints.
• Use a Recovery Key for fallback access.
• Keep locked content hidden from AI; AI can work through proposal canvases instead.
• Use encrypted backups as an additional recovery path.

Share, Export, and Backup

ExcalidrawZ supports common export and sharing workflows.

• Export images, editable Excalidraw files, and PDF.
• Preserve editability when exporting .excalidraw.png and .excalidraw.svg.
• Share through clipboard, files, and the system share sheet.
• Archive app-managed files for backup.

Supported Formats

ExcalidrawZ can open, import, edit, or export common Excalidraw-related formats:

• .excalidraw
• .excalidraw.png
• .excalidraw.svg
• PDF import and export
• image export

Contact

Welcome to my Discord server to share suggestions or report issues for ExcalidrawZ.

Development Guide

• The Excalidraw core used by ExcalidrawZ is also open-source. You can find it here.
• Before you start coding, add your own Overrides.xcconfig in ExcalidrawZ/Config and populate it with:

DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = <YOUR_DEVELOPMENT_TEAM_FOR_DEBUG>;
ICLOUD_CONTAINER = <YOUR_ICLOUD_CONTAINER_IDENTIFIER_FOR_DEBUG>;