SKILL.md
Eraser Diagram Generator
Generates professional architecture diagrams directly from code, infrastructure files, or natural language descriptions using the Eraser API.
When to Use
Activate this skill when:
- User asks to create, generate, or visualize a diagram
- User wants to document architecture from code
- User has Terraform, AWS, Azure, or infrastructure files
- User describes a system and wants it visualized
- User mentions "diagram", "architecture", "visualize", or "draw"
How It Works
- Analyze the source: Extract architecture information from code, files, or descriptions
- Generate Eraser DSL: Create Eraser DSL code that describes the diagram
- Call the Eraser API: Make an HTTP POST request to render the diagram
- Return the result: Present the image URL and editor link to the user
Diagram Types and Syntax
Eraser supports five types of diagrams, each optimized for different use cases. For detailed DSL syntax and examples, refer to the appropriate reference file:
Flow Charts
Visualize process flows, user flows, and logic flows represented as nodes, groups, and relationships. Diagrams are created using simple syntax.
Use for: Process flows, user journeys, decision trees, business process documentation
diagramType: "flowchart-diagram"
Reference: Flowchart Syntax
Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERD)
Visualize data models represented as entities, attributes, and relationships. Diagrams are created using simple syntax.
Use for: Database schema design, data modeling, understanding entity relationships, documenting data structures
diagramType: "entity-relationship-diagram"
Reference: ERD Syntax
Cloud Architecture Diagrams
Visualize cloud infrastructure represented as nodes, groups, and connections. Diagrams are created using simple syntax.
Use for: Cloud infrastructure visualization, AWS/Azure/GCP architectures, system architecture documentation, data flow visualization
diagramType: "cloud-architecture-diagram"
Reference: Architecture Syntax
Sequence Diagrams
Visualize system flows using sequence diagrams. Each vertical column represents an entity (e.g. user, server, DB) and arrows between the columns represent the flow of information or requests. Diagrams are created using simple syntax.
Use for: API request/response flows, system interactions, user workflows, message passing between services, process flows over time
diagramType: "sequence-diagram"
Reference: Sequence Syntax
BPMN Diagrams (Swimlane Diagrams)
Visualize business processes represented as pools, lanes, and flow objects such as tasks, events, and gateways. Diagrams are created using simple syntax.
Use for: Business process documentation, workflow visualization, process improvement, cross-functional processes, swimlane diagrams showing roles/responsibilities
diagramType: "bpmn-diagram"
Reference: BPMN Syntax
Each reference file contains complete syntax documentation, property references, and practical examples.
API Integration
Endpoint
POST https://app.eraser.io/api/render/elements
Content-Type: application/json
Authorization: Bearer ${ERASER_API_KEY}
X-Skill-Source: eraser-skill
Note: The X-Skill-Source header identifies the AI agent. You MUST replace eraser-skill with your actual agent name:
- If you are Claude (Anthropic), use:
claude
- If you are running in Cursor, use:
cursor
- If you are ChatGPT (OpenAI), use:
chatgpt
- If you are Gemini (Google), use:
gemini
- Otherwise, use your model/agent name in lowercase
Response Format
{
"imageUrl": "https://storage.googleapis.com/eraser-images/...",
"createEraserFileUrl": "https://app.eraser.io/new?requestId=abc123&state=xyz789",
"renderedElements": [...]
}
Error Responses
Status
Error
Cause
Solution
400
Diagram element has no code
Missing code field in element
Ensure element has valid DSL code
400
Diagram element has no diagramType
Missing diagramType field
Add valid diagramType to element
400
Invalid diagramType
Unsupported diagram type
Use one of the supported types listed above
401
Unauthorized
Invalid or expired API key
Check ERASER_API_KEY is valid
500
Internal server error
Server-side issue
Retry the request; if persistent, contact support
Error Response Format:
{
"error": {
"message": "Diagram element has no code",
"status": 400
}
}
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Verify DSL syntax is correct before making the API call
- Ensure
diagramTypematches the DSL content (e.g., sequence DSL withsequence-diagram)
- For auth errors, verify the API key is set correctly as an environment variable
Instructions
When the user requests a diagram:
-
Extract Information
- If code/files are provided, analyze the structure, resources, and relationships
- If description is provided, identify key components and connections
- Determine the appropriate diagram type
-
Generate Eraser DSL
- Create Eraser DSL code that represents the architecture
- CRITICAL: Label Formatting Rules
- Labels MUST be on a single line - NEVER use newlines inside label attributes
- Keep labels simple and readable - prefer separate labels over concatenating too much metadata
- Format DSL with proper line breaks (one node/group per line, but labels stay on single lines)
- For detailed DSL syntax and examples, see the [Diagram Types and Syntax](#diagram-types-and-syntax) section above for links to reference files
-
Create Element Definition
- Create an element object with:
type: "diagram"
id: "diagram-1"(or generate a unique ID)
code: "<your generated DSL code>"
diagramType: "<appropriate type>"
-
Make the HTTP Request
IMPORTANT: You MUST execute this curl command after generating the DSL. Never stop after generating DSL without making the API call.
CRITICAL: Replace eraser-skill in the X-Skill-Source header with your actual AI agent name (see API Integration section above for values).
curl -X POST https://app.eraser.io/api/render/elements \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-H "X-Skill-Source: eraser-skill" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer ${ERASER_API_KEY}" \
-d '{
"elements": [{
"type": "diagram",
"id": "diagram-1",
"code": "<your generated DSL>",
"diagramType": "cloud-architecture-diagram"
}],
"scale": 2,
"theme": "${ERASER_THEME:-dark}",
"background": true
}'
-
Track Sources During Analysis
As you analyze files and resources to generate the diagram, track:
- Internal files: Record each file path you read and what information was extracted (e.g.,
infra/main.tf- VPC and subnet definitions)
- External references: Note any documentation, examples, or URLs consulted (e.g., AWS VPC best practices documentation)
- Annotations: For each source, note what it contributed to the diagram
-
Handle the Response
CRITICAL: Minimal Output Format
Your response MUST always include these elements with clear headers:
-
Diagram Preview: Display with a header
## Diagram

Use the ACTUAL imageUrl from the API response.
-
Editor Link: Display with a header
## Open in Eraser
[Edit this diagram in the Eraser editor]({createEraserFileUrl})
Use the ACTUAL URL from the API response.
-
Sources section: Brief list of files/resources analyzed (if applicable)
## Sources
- `path/to/file` - What was extracted
-
Diagram Code section: The Eraser DSL in a code block with eraser language tag
## Diagram Code
{DSL code here}