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D2 Render

Community
diegomarino
d2-render

Render .d2 files to SVG or PNG images

Overview

Publisherdiegomarino
Repositoryclaude-toolshed
Skill named2-render
Stars
58
Forks
5
Bundled files
Instructions only
Links
  • 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 diegomarino on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the D2 Render AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

1

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.

  1. Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
  2. Choose "Install from GitHub".
  3. Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
    https://github.com/diegomarino/claude-toolshed/tree/main/plugins/d2/skills/d2-render
  4. 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.
2

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/diegomarino/claude-toolshed.git /tmp/claude-toolshed
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/claude-toolshed/plugins/d2/skills/d2-render .claude/skills/d2-render
Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable D2 Render 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 D2 Render 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 D2 Render 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.

/d2-render

User request: "$ARGUMENTS"

Task

Render D2 diagrams from an existing .d2 file or a .md file with D2 code blocks to SVG or PNG images.

Process

Step 1: Resolve Plugin Path

bash
PLUGIN_DIR=$(find "$HOME/.claude/plugins/cache" -type d -name "d2" -path "*/skills/d2" 2>/dev/null | head -1)
[ -z "$PLUGIN_DIR" ] && PLUGIN_DIR=$(find "$HOME" -maxdepth 8 -type d -name "d2" -path "*/skills/d2" 2>/dev/null | head -1)

Step 2: Ensure D2 is installed

bash
bash "$PLUGIN_DIR/scripts/ensure-deps.sh"

If .claude/d2.json does not exist, display a one-time nudge before continuing:

First time using the d2 plugin? Run /d2-config to pick a theme and output settings. Using defaults for now (theme 0 / Neutral, ./diagrams).

Step 3: Read Config

If .claude/d2.json exists, read:

  • output_directory (default: ./diagrams)
  • output_format (default: svg)

Resolve output path:

  • If output_directory is "same" AND input file path is known: OUTPUT_DIR=$(dirname {input_file})
  • If output_directory is "same" AND no input file: OUTPUT_DIR=./diagrams
  • Otherwise: OUTPUT_DIR={output_directory}

Step 4: Determine Input

From $ARGUMENTS:

  • .d2 file → render directly
  • .md file → extract D2 blocks first: bash "$PLUGIN_DIR/scripts/extract_d2.sh" {file.md}
  • Directory → find all .d2 files: find {dir} -name "*.d2" -not -path "*/node_modules/*"
  • No argument → ask: "Which file or directory should I render?"

Step 5: Render

Run for each .d2 file:

bash
mkdir -p {OUTPUT_DIR}
d2 {input_file} {OUTPUT_DIR}/{basename}.{output_format}

For PNG output: Warn the user if PNG fails that it requires Playwright:

PNG rendering failed. Playwright is required for PNG export.
Install: npm install -g playwright && playwright install chromium
Or switch to SVG: /d2-config → option 7

Note: Generated .d2 files already contain the vars { d2-config } block with the theme and layout settings — no additional CLI flags are needed. The d2 command will use the embedded configuration automatically.

Step 6: Report

List all output files generated with full paths:

Rendered {N} diagrams:
  ✅ diagrams/architecture-services-20260310.svg
  ✅ diagrams/sequence-auth-flow-20260310.svg

If any rendering failed:

  ❌ diagrams/er-schema-20260310.svg — {error message}

Run /d2-config → health check to diagnose issues.

Output Format

Rendered {N} / {total} diagrams:

  ✅ {output_path_1}
  ✅ {output_path_2}
  ❌ {output_path_3} — {error}

Frequently asked questions

What does the D2 Render AI skill do?

Render .d2 files to SVG or PNG images

Why use D2 Render on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. D2 Render 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 D2 Render in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/diegomarino/claude-toolshed/tree/main/plugins/d2/skills/d2-render. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use D2 Render?

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 D2 Render?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use D2 Render with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the D2 Render AI skill free?

It is published on GitHub by diegomarino. Check the repository for licensing terms. 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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