What is LixSketch?
LixSketch brings a full whiteboard canvas into VS Code. No browser needed, no context switching — just open a .lixsketch file and start drawing.
Whether you're sketching out an architecture before writing code, diagramming a flow for a pull request, or wireframing a quick UI — it all happens where you already work.
Getting Started
- Install the extension from the VS Code Marketplace
- Create a new diagram: open the Command Palette (
Ctrl+Shift+P) and run LixSketch: New Diagram
- Draw — that's it. Your file saves automatically.
Or just create any file ending in .lixsketch and it opens right up.
What You Get
|
Feature |
| :pencil2: |
Freehand drawing — pressure-sensitive strokes with a hand-drawn feel |
| :black_square_button: |
Shapes — rectangles, circles, arrows, lines, frames |
| :abc: |
Text & code blocks — with syntax highlighting |
| :framed_picture: |
Images — drag and drop or paste from clipboard |
| :mag: |
Infinite canvas — zoom from 0.4x to 30x, pan freely |
| :back: |
Undo / Redo — full history, never lose work |
| :floppy_disk: |
Auto-save — changes save to your .lixsketch file automatically |
| :scissors: |
Copy & Paste — duplicate shapes instantly |
| :wastebasket: |
Eraser — clean up with precision |
| :flashlight: |
Laser pointer — highlight things during screen shares |
How It Works
LixSketch files are simple JSON (.lixsketch). They live in your repo, version with git, and diff like any other file. Share them with your team, include them in PRs, or keep them as personal notes.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut |
Action |
V |
Select tool |
H |
Pan / Hand tool |
R |
Rectangle |
O |
Circle |
A |
Arrow |
L |
Line |
P |
Freehand pen |
T |
Text |
E |
Eraser |
Ctrl+Z |
Undo |
Ctrl+Shift+Z |
Redo |
Ctrl+C / V |
Copy / Paste |
Delete |
Delete selected |
Part of the LixSketch Ecosystem
This extension is powered by the same engine that runs sketch.elixpo.com.
|
|
| :globe_with_meridians: |
Web app — sketch.elixpo.com — full collaborative canvas in the browser |
| :package: |
NPM package — @lixsketch/engine — build your own whiteboard |
| :desktop_computer: |
VS Code extension — you're looking at it |
Open Source
LixSketch is fully open source under the MIT license. Found a bug? Have an idea?
