Run Excalidraw locally with Claude Code (zero code)

How it works, in 30 seconds

Excalidraw is the open source whiteboard for freehand diagrams, maps and wireframes. "Locally" means it runs on your computer, not on the internet: it's free, private and yours.

Claude Code runs the project for you: you talk to it in plain English, it executes. You don't see or write a single line of code: copy the prompts below, in order, and hit enter.

What you need

A computer (Mac or Windows).
Claude Code installed and open.
10 minutes.
Zero technical skills.

Before you start

Set up the project home

A dedicated folder: it's the "home" where Excalidraw will live. Three steps:

1 Create a folder called "excalidraw" on your Desktop (lowercase, no spaces).

2 Open Claude Code.

3 Tell it to work inside that folder.

The 4 prompts (copy, paste, enter)

One at a time, in order. Wait for Claude Code to finish and reply before moving on to the next one.

Set the stage

PROMPT 1

I'm not technical and I don't want to write or see any code. I want to install the open source project Excalidraw locally, so I can use it for free from the browser without paying for the cloud. Check whether my computer already has everything it needs to run it. If something's missing, install it yourself and explain in simple words what you're doing. Stop and wait for my confirmation before moving forward.

Download and install Excalidraw

PROMPT 2

Perfect. Now download Excalidraw from its official open source page into the folder and install everything it needs to get started. Tell me when you're done.

Launch it in the browser

PROMPT 3

Now start Excalidraw locally and open it in the browser for me. Tell me the exact address (like localhost) it's running on. If an error shows up, fix it yourself and just tell me the result.

Put it to work

PROMPT 4

Excalidraw is open. I want to create [write what you need: a flowchart, a Gantt chart, a map, a wireframe...]. Generate it for me inside Excalidraw, then I'll fine-tune it by hand.

From tomorrow on

You only do the install once. After that, just one prompt reopens Excalidraw:

RESTART PROMPT

Restart Excalidraw locally like last time and open it in the browser for me.

The golden rule

If an error shows up, don't panic: you don't have to understand it. Copy the message, paste it into Claude Code and add:

WHEN SOMETHING BREAKS

Fix it yourself and explain in words what happened.

Claude Code reads the error, fixes it and explains what happened in plain words. You always stay in plain English, never code.

Excalidraw locally, zero code with Claude Code

How it works, in 30 seconds

What you need

Set up the project home

The 4 prompts (copy, paste, enter)

Set the stage

Download and install Excalidraw

Launch it in the browser

Put it to work

From tomorrow on

The golden rule

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