xenodium/emacs-skills/plantuml

Create diagrams with PlantUML

Create a diagram from the most recent interaction context using PlantUML. Generate a PNG image with a transparent background and output it as a markdown image so it renders inline.

How to create a diagram

1. Extract or derive diagrammable data from the current context.
2. If the Emacs foreground color is not already known from a previous diagram in this session, query it:

``sh emacsclient --eval ' (face-foreground (quote default))' ` This returns a hex color like "#eeffff"`. Reuse it for all subsequent diagrams.

1. Write a PlantUML file to a temporary file using that color.
2. Run PlantUML on the file.
3. Output the result as a markdown image on its own line:

`` ![description](/tmp/agent-diagram-XXXX.png) ``

plantuml -tpng /tmp/agent-diagram-XXXX.puml

PlantUML template

@startuml
skinparam backgroundColor transparent
skinparam shadowing true
skinparam roundcorner 10
skinparam defaultFontName "Helvetica"
skinparam defaultFontColor #eeffff
 
' Set foreground color on all element types
skinparam titleFontColor #eeffff
skinparam sequenceLifeLineBorderColor #eeffff
skinparam sequenceArrowColor #eeffff
skinparam sequenceGroupHeaderFontColor #eeffff
skinparam sequenceGroupBorderColor #eeffff
skinparam sequenceDividerFontColor #eeffff
skinparam sequenceDividerBorderColor #eeffff
skinparam actorBorderColor #eeffff
skinparam actorFontColor #eeffff
skinparam participantFontColor #eeffff
skinparam participantBorderColor #eeffff
skinparam collectionsFontColor #eeffff
skinparam collectionsBorderColor #eeffff
skinparam noteFontColor #eeffff
skinparam noteBorderColor #eeffff
skinparam arrowFontColor #eeffff
skinparam classFontColor #eeffff
skinparam classBorderColor #eeffff
skinparam classAttributeFontColor #eeffff
skinparam packageFontColor #eeffff
skinparam packageBorderColor #eeffff
skinparam componentFontColor #eeffff
skinparam componentBorderColor #eeffff
skinparam interfaceFontColor #eeffff
skinparam interfaceBorderColor #eeffff
 
' ... diagram content ...
@enduml

Rules

• Query the Emacs foreground color once per session and reuse it for all subsequent diagrams. Only query again if the color is not already known.
• Always use skinparam backgroundColor transparent for transparent background.
• Always use a timestamp in the filename (e.g., /tmp/agent-diagram-$(date +%s).png). Never use descriptive names.
• Set the queried foreground color on defaultFontColor and all relevant skinparam entries for borders, arrows, and text so the diagram is readable on the user's Emacs background.
• After PlantUML runs successfully, output a markdown image (![description](path)) on its own line.
• Choose an appropriate diagram type for the data (sequence, class, component, activity, state, etc.).
• Include a title when it adds clarity.
• If no diagrammable data exists in the recent context, inform the user.