Canvas Layout

Community

AgriciDaniel

canvas-layout

Re-layout existing Obsidian Canvas nodes using 6 spatial algorithms: grid (galleries, mood boards), dagre (flowcharts, org charts), radial (mind maps), force-directed (knowledge graphs), linear (timelines), and auto-detect. Preserves group membership, snaps to 20px grid, refits zones around content. Triggers on: canvas layout, re-layout canvas, arrange canvas, auto-layout, organize canvas, fix canvas layout, canvas grid, canvas dagre.

Overview

Publisher	AgriciDaniel
Repository	`claude-canvas`
Skill name	`canvas-layout`
Stars	301
Forks	27
Bundled files	Instructions only
License	MIT
Links	Skill source Repository Homepage

Markdown instructions
A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.
Works with any LLM
AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.
Self-contained
Everything the model needs lives in the instructions — no extra files to sync.
Open source
Published by AgriciDaniel on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Canvas Layout AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
Choose "Install from GitHub".
Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
https://github.com/AgriciDaniel/claude-canvas/tree/main/skills/canvas-layout
Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.

Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/AgriciDaniel/claude-canvas.git /tmp/claude-canvas
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/claude-canvas/skills/canvas-layout .claude/skills/canvas-layout

Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Canvas Layout in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Canvas Layout on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Canvas Layout is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

Loaded only when it is needed
The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.
Switch models mid-chat
Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

canvas-layout: Re-Layout Canvas Nodes

Read ../canvas/references/layout-algorithms.md for algorithm details and selection guide. Read ../canvas/references/performance-guide.md for node limits.

Workflow

Identify target canvas: Use the active canvas or ask which one (/canvas list to show options).
Select algorithm: Use the user-specified algorithm, or run auto detection.
Confirm before applying: Show what will happen: "Will apply [algorithm] layout to [canvas] ([N] nodes, [M] groups). Create backup? [Y/n]"

Run the layout script:

bash
python3 scripts/canvas_layout.py [canvas_path] [algorithm] [options]

Report results: "Moved [N] of [M] nodes. [G] groups refitted. Backup at [path].bak"
Validate: Run python3 scripts/canvas_validate.py [canvas_path] to confirm valid output.

Algorithm Selection

When the user says /canvas layout auto or doesn't specify an algorithm, use the auto-detection in the script. It analyzes edge density, node types, and connection patterns.

For explicit requests, map user intent to algorithm:

User says	Algorithm	Options
"organize these images"	grid	`--sort-by type`
"make a grid"	grid
"flowchart layout"	dagre	`--direction TB`
"left to right flow"	dagre	`--direction LR`
"mind map layout"	radial
"expand from [node]"	radial	`--center [node-id]`
"untangle this"	force
"spread out the nodes"	force
"make a timeline"	linear	`--axis horizontal`
"vertical sequence"	linear	`--axis vertical`
"auto-layout"	auto
"fix the layout"	auto

Options Forwarding

Pass algorithm-specific options to the script:

grid: --columns N (override auto-detection), --sort-by type|size
dagre: --direction TB|LR|BT|RL
radial: --center node-id (override auto-detection of hub node)
force: --iterations N (default 100, reduce to 50 for 50+ nodes)
linear: --axis horizontal|vertical

Add --dry-run to preview without writing.

For Complex Layouts (30+ Nodes)

When a canvas has more than 30 nodes, dispatch the canvas-layout agent instead of running the script directly. The agent can:

Analyze the canvas content to choose sub-groups for different algorithms
Split large canvases into zone-by-zone layouts
Handle edge crossing minimization that the basic dagre doesn't cover
Refine positions after the algorithm runs for better visual balance

Edge Cases

Empty canvas: Report "No nodes to layout" and skip.
Single node: Center it at (0, 0) and skip.
No edges + dagre requested: Warn "dagre works best with edges. Using grid instead." Fall back to grid.
100+ nodes: Warn about performance. Suggest splitting into sub-canvases.
Backup conflict: If .bak already exists, use .bak2, .bak3, etc.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Canvas Layout AI skill do?

Why use Canvas Layout on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Canvas Layout is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Canvas Layout in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/AgriciDaniel/claude-canvas/tree/main/skills/canvas-layout. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Canvas Layout?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Canvas Layout?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Canvas Layout with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Canvas Layout AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by AgriciDaniel under the MIT license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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Overview

Installation

Install in TypingMind

Install in another agent

Use it in TypingMind

Works with any AI model

Skill instructions

canvas-layout: Re-Layout Canvas Nodes

Workflow

Algorithm Selection

Options Forwarding

For Complex Layouts (30+ Nodes)

Edge Cases

Frequently asked questions

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