claude-memories-canvas

Read, edit, and create JSON Canvas files in the claude-memories Obsidian vault.

2|Updated Jul 28, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/mbadali25/useful-claude-add-ons --skill claude-memories-canvas-mbadali25
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: claude-memories-canvas
Source: https://github.com/mbadali25/useful-claude-add-ons/tree/main/skills/claude-memories-canvas
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/mbadali25/useful-claude-add-ons --skill claude-memories-canvas-mbadali25

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Editing Obsidian Canvas files in the claude-memories vault without breaking them requires knowing the vault's specific node/edge schema, colour and id conventions, column-and-group geometry, and the linking rules that keep canvases findable — mistakes like regenerating a canvas or leaving facts only in canvas JSON have already cost real time. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Schema-conformant canvas editing: Read and surgically edit .canvas files (text, file, and group nodes plus labelled edges) using plain Read/Write/Edit tools, preserving hand-tuned coordinates and the vault's 1-space-indent key order. - Vault layout and linking conventions: Apply the vault's geometry rules (320-wide nodes, 408-wide group frames, ~735px column pitch), colour strings "1"–"6", and the mandatory backlink row in the matching Project - *.md note. - Use Case: When asked to map how a sale becomes a number in the exec-insights system, read the existing exec-insights-data-flow.canvas, append new nodes and edges without disturbing existing ones, validate the JSON parses, write the underlying facts into a wiki\concepts\ note, and add the canvas row to the project note. ## Quick Start Use the claude-memories-canvas skill to add a new component node and its edges to the existing architecture canvas in the vault's wiki/maps folder.

Frequently Asked Questions about claude-memories-canvas

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I edit an Obsidian Canvas file without breaking it?

Read the .canvas file, change only the nodes and edges you mean to change, and write it back — never regenerate the whole file, since that destroys hand-tuned coordinates and silently drops nodes. Validate with python -c "import json;json.load(open(path,encoding='utf-8'))" before and after.

What is the JSON Canvas file format schema?

A .canvas file is plain JSON with exactly two top-level keys: nodes and edges. Nodes have id, type, x, y, width, height plus type-specific keys (text, file, or label for groups); edges have id, fromNode, toNode, fromSide, toSide, and an optional label.

Why is my Obsidian Canvas not showing up in search or backlinks?

Obsidian's graph and backlink panes ignore canvas nodes, and text search cannot see facts stored only in canvas JSON. Every canvas must be linked from its matching Project - *.md note, and load-bearing facts must also live in a wiki/concepts note.

When should I use obsidian-canvas instead of claude-memories-canvas?

Use the generic obsidian-canvas skill for canvases in any other vault. claude-memories-canvas only applies to the claude-memories vault, where it adds that vault's specific layout, colour, id, and linking conventions.

Can I use this skill for Excalidraw or Mermaid diagrams?

No. This skill covers only JSON Canvas files in the claude-memories vault. Excalidraw drawings, Mermaid diagrams, and Visio files are explicitly out of scope and need their own tooling.