Drawnix is an open-source whiteboard tool that combines mind mapping, flowcharting, freehand drawing, and other visualization capabilities in a single unified interface.
The tool addresses the need for a free, self-contained drawing application by providing multiple diagram types within one platform. It supports creating mind maps from markdown text, converting mermaid syntax into flowcharts, and freehand drawing on an infinite canvas. The application stores work locally in the browser cache with automatic saving, and allows export to PNG or JSON formats. Core editing features include undo, redo, copy, paste, and canvas navigation through zoom and scroll. The tool is built on a plugin architecture and offers both light and dark theme modes with mobile device adaptation.
Drawnix suits teams and individuals seeking a free alternative to commercial whiteboarding tools without requiring server infrastructure or account management. It works well for knowledge workers who need to sketch ideas, create flowcharts, or build mind maps directly in the browser. The project is positioned as a ready-to-use product rather than a framework; it is built on top of Plait, a separate open-source drawing framework that represents the underlying technical foundation.
The project shows active development with ongoing feature additions, as evidenced by recent support for markdown-to-mind-map conversion marked as newly added. The codebase is maintained in TypeScript and organized as a monorepo with distinct applications. Development appears focused on expanding core functionality and improving the user experience across different device types and use cases.
