Files take a manual round trip
A repository diagram must be downloaded, opened in Excalidraw, exported again, replaced in the project, and committed manually.
VISUAL COLLABORATION FOR ENGINEERING TEAMS
Open Excalidraw from Git. Edit together. Commit it back.
Sketchblock opens existing .excalidraw files from a connected GitHub repository directly in the browser. Work on the diagram alone or in a live session, then save the reviewed file back to the project as a commit.
One repository file. One visual workspace. One traceable history.
$ git clone https://github.com/mimeonline/sketchblock.git
$ ./scripts/start.sh
$ ./scripts/start.sh
THE GAP SKETCHBLOCK CLOSES
Updating a diagram in Git takes too many manual steps.
A repository-backed Excalidraw file usually travels through downloads, exports, file replacement, and a separate commit. Shared sessions add another place where the latest result can live. Sketchblock connects these steps in one browser workflow.
Collaboration leaves Git behind
A shared whiteboard session creates a useful result, but the repository file does not update with it.
Guests need focused access
Customers and reviewers should be able to work on one diagram without receiving access to the entire repository.
Open from Git
Select an existing .excalidraw file from a connected GitHub repository and open it in the browser.
Edit together
Work on the same diagram in a focused live session with collaborator and viewer roles.
Commit it back
Save the reviewed file directly to its repository as a traceable Git commit.
FROM REPOSITORY TO LIVE ROOM AND BACK
One file.
One continuous workflow.
Product context
Shared understanding
MMAK2 live
BUILT FOR TECHNICAL CONVERSATIONS
Some decisions need a canvas.
Every result needs a home.
Sketchblock connects the moment when a team thinks together with the place where its technical work already lives.
Architecture decisions
Turn a technical conversation into a versioned artifact that stays beside the code.
System maps
Explore relationships visually while keeping every reviewed result inspectable in Git.
Focused workshops
Invite collaborators for the working session and viewers for the shared understanding.
FIVE MINUTES TO FIRST VALUE
Start with no credentials.
Start locally
One script launches Postgres, migrations, the web app, and collaboration runtime.
Try the demo
Edit the included board and open a live session without creating credentials.
Connect GitHub
Switch to your repositories when you are ready to work with real project artifacts.
WHY I BUILT SKETCHBLOCK
The diagram belonged in the project. Updating it kept pulling the work out of the project.
I’m Michael Meierhoff, a software architect, systems thinker, and independent builder. For more than two decades I have worked with software systems, architecture, and the difficult space between technical detail and shared understanding.
Sketchblock grew from a recurring frustration: editing a repository-backed diagram meant moving the file between Git, Excalidraw, exports, and commits. Live collaboration created another disconnected workspace. Sketchblock turns that round trip into one self-hosted, traceable workflow.