diagram-design

# Diagram Design Guide for Research ## When to Create Diagrams Create a diagram when your research findings involve: - **Comparing 3+ options** — comparison table or matrix diagram - **Process with 4+ steps** — flowchart or sequence diagram - **System with multiple components** — architecture diagram - **Chronological events** — timeline - **Hierarchical relationships** — tree or mind map - **Data flows** — data flow diagram ## Excalidraw Workflow 1. **Plan the diagram** — decide type, elements, and layout before creating 2. **Create elements** — use `create_element` or `batch_create_elements` 3. **Arrange** — use `align_elements` and `distribute_elements` for clean layout 4. **Inspect** — use `describe_scene` to verify the diagram looks right 5. **Adjust** — use `update_element` to fix positioning or text 6. **Group** — use `group_elements` to lock related items together > **Note:** Do NOT export or share links — the user sees a live embedded canvas that auto-syncs. ## Color Palette Use consistent colors across diagrams: | Purpose | Color | Hex | |---------|-------|-----| | Primary concepts | Blue | #1971c2 | | Positive / supported | Green | #2f9e44 | | Negative / limitations | Red | #e03131 | | Warning / caveats | Orange | #e8590c | | Neutral / context | Gray | #868e96 | | Highlight / focus | Yellow | #f08c00 | ## Layout Patterns - **Top-to-bottom**: Process flows, decision trees, timelines - **Left-to-right**: Comparisons, before/after, pipelines - **Radial / cen...