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.
Non-App Store version
- Download the latest
.dmgfrom Releases. - Open the
.dmgand drag ExcalidrawZ into Applications.
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.svgfiles directly. - Sync app-managed files across macOS, iPadOS, and iOS with iCloud.
- Keep file history checkpoints so important changes can be reviewed and restored.
ExcalidrawZ records checkpoints for app-managed drawings, so you can review earlier versions and restore important work when needed.
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.
Use Excalidraw collaboration when you want to draw with others.
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.
ExcalidrawZ can expose the current app as an MCP server for compatible AI clients.
- Basic mode provides the familiar
excalidraw-mcpdrawing 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.
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.
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.
ExcalidrawZ supports common export and sharing workflows.
- Export images, editable Excalidraw files, and PDF.
- Preserve editability when exporting
.excalidraw.pngand.excalidraw.svg. - Share through clipboard, files, and the system share sheet.
- Archive app-managed files for backup.
ExcalidrawZ can open, import, edit, or export common Excalidraw-related formats:
.excalidraw.excalidraw.png.excalidraw.svg- PDF import and export
- image export
Welcome to my Discord server to share suggestions or report issues for ExcalidrawZ.
- The Excalidraw core used by ExcalidrawZ is also open-source. You can find it here.
- Before you start coding, add your own
Overrides.xcconfiginExcalidrawZ/Configand populate it with:
DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = <YOUR_DEVELOPMENT_TEAM_FOR_DEBUG>;
ICLOUD_CONTAINER = <YOUR_ICLOUD_CONTAINER_IDENTIFIER_FOR_DEBUG>;