Vibecode Whimsical
track this build5 steps, step by step0%A constrained diagramming tool with nodes, connectors, sticky notes, and export is a very vibecodable core loop; polish and collaboration are what you lose.
You are building a lean indie version of Whimsical. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== README.md ===== # Whimsical indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Whimsical workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Create a canvas with node shapes, connectors, auto-layout hints, text editing, and PNG/SVG export. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - templates - multiplayer polish - docs integration - wireframe components - comments - sharing permissions If those capabilities are essential, use Excalidraw instead of pretending the gap is solved. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs". ===== BUILD_PLAN.md ===== # Build plan ## Original build brief Build me a single-player flowchart tool like Whimsical. Requirements: - A local web app: Vite + React, shapes rendered as SVG. No backend, runs as a static build, fully offline. - Shapes: rectangle, rounded rectangle, diamond, ellipse, sticky note, text label. Drag to move, handles to resize, double-click to edit text inline. - Connectors attach to shape anchor points, stay attached when shapes move, route orthogonally with arrowheads, and can carry a text label. - Snap-to-grid plus alignment guides while dragging; keyboard support for copy/paste, delete, arrow-key nudge, and undo/redo via a history stack. - A toolbar with the shape palette and 8 preset fill colors. No free-form style panel. - Boards autosave to IndexedDB (via localforage), with JSON import/export; export the selection or the whole board as PNG and SVG. - No accounts, no telemetry, nothing leaves the browser. - Out of scope: real-time multiplayer, comments, wireframe component kits, and mind-map mode. Flowcharts and stickies only. - README: npm install / npm run dev, plus the keyboard shortcut list. ## Required capabilities - React canvas/SVG library - local storage or backend - optional real-time sync - export library ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden. ===== .env.example ===== # Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
You are building a lean indie version of Whimsical. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== README.md ===== # Whimsical indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Whimsical workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Create a canvas with node shapes, connectors, auto-layout hints, text editing, and PNG/SVG export. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - templates - multiplayer polish - docs integration - wireframe components - comments - sharing permissions If those capabilities are essential, use Excalidraw instead of pretending the gap is solved. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs". ===== BUILD_PLAN.md ===== # Build plan ## Original build brief Build me a single-player flowchart tool like Whimsical. Requirements: - A local web app: Vite + React, shapes rendered as SVG. No backend, runs as a static build, fully offline. - Shapes: rectangle, rounded rectangle, diamond, ellipse, sticky note, text label. Drag to move, handles to resize, double-click to edit text inline. - Connectors attach to shape anchor points, stay attached when shapes move, route orthogonally with arrowheads, and can carry a text label. - Snap-to-grid plus alignment guides while dragging; keyboard support for copy/paste, delete, arrow-key nudge, and undo/redo via a history stack. - A toolbar with the shape palette and 8 preset fill colors. No free-form style panel. - Boards autosave to IndexedDB (via localforage), with JSON import/export; export the selection or the whole board as PNG and SVG. - No accounts, no telemetry, nothing leaves the browser. - Out of scope: real-time multiplayer, comments, wireframe component kits, and mind-map mode. Flowcharts and stickies only. - README: npm install / npm run dev, plus the keyboard shortcut list. ## Required capabilities - React canvas/SVG library - local storage or backend - optional real-time sync - export library ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden. ===== .env.example ===== # Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
You are building a production product version of Whimsical. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== PRODUCT.md ===== # Whimsical product brief ## Problem A constrained diagramming tool with nodes, connectors, sticky notes, and export is a very vibecodable core loop; polish and collaboration are what you lose. ## Product outcome Create a canvas with node shapes, connectors, auto-layout hints, text editing, and PNG/SVG export. ## Target user A serious builder who needs a maintainable product foundation rather than a one-off demo. ## Required capabilities - React canvas/SVG library - local storage or backend - optional real-time sync - export library ## Explicit non-goals for v1 - templates - multiplayer polish - docs integration - wireframe components - comments - sharing permissions ## Success criteria - The primary workflow is measurable end to end. - Setup is reproducible in a clean environment. - Failure, recovery, and support paths are documented. - Product claims match what the implementation actually guarantees. ===== ARCHITECTURE.md ===== # Architecture ## Starting brief Build me a single-player flowchart tool like Whimsical. Requirements: - A local web app: Vite + React, shapes rendered as SVG. No backend, runs as a static build, fully offline. - Shapes: rectangle, rounded rectangle, diamond, ellipse, sticky note, text label. Drag to move, handles to resize, double-click to edit text inline. - Connectors attach to shape anchor points, stay attached when shapes move, route orthogonally with arrowheads, and can carry a text label. - Snap-to-grid plus alignment guides while dragging; keyboard support for copy/paste, delete, arrow-key nudge, and undo/redo via a history stack. - A toolbar with the shape palette and 8 preset fill colors. No free-form style panel. - Boards autosave to IndexedDB (via localforage), with JSON import/export; export the selection or the whole board as PNG and SVG. - No accounts, no telemetry, nothing leaves the browser. - Out of scope: real-time multiplayer, comments, wireframe component kits, and mind-map mode. Flowcharts and stickies only. - README: npm install / npm run dev, plus the keyboard shortcut list. ## Boundaries Separate the product into replaceable modules for interface, application logic, persistence, external integrations, and operational concerns. Keep domain logic independent from delivery frameworks and vendors. ## Production baseline - Configuration: validated at startup with safe local defaults where possible. - Security: least privilege, input validation, secret redaction, rate limits on abuse-prone paths, and no invented security primitives. - Data: explicit schema and migrations, transactional writes where integrity matters, backup and restore instructions. - Integrations: adapters around third-party providers, idempotent webhook or job processing, bounded retries, and timeouts. - Observability: structured logs with request or operation IDs, an error-tracking hook, and health/readiness checks where a server exists. - Quality: unit tests for domain rules, integration tests at module boundaries, and one end-to-end critical-path test. ## Decision records For each major dependency, document why it was chosen, its failure mode, and how it can be replaced. Do not introduce infrastructure until a requirement justifies it. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Read `PRODUCT.md` and `ARCHITECTURE.md` before changing code. - Implement milestone by milestone; keep each change reviewable and leave the application runnable. - Treat authentication, payments, encryption, imports, webhooks, and destructive actions as high-risk boundaries when present. - Never invent cryptography or silently weaken a requirement to make a test pass. - Use provider interfaces for external services and deterministic fakes in tests. - Add migrations and rollback or recovery notes for persistent data changes. - Log useful operational context without credentials, tokens, passwords, or personal data. - Update documentation and run all checks before completing a milestone. ===== MILESTONES.md ===== # Delivery milestones ## M0 — Decisions and scaffold - Confirm the runtime, persistence model, threat boundaries, and deployment target. - Create a reproducible local environment and continuous checks. ## M1 — Core workflow - Implement the smallest end-to-end product path with validation and tests. - Keep integrations behind interfaces. ## M2 — Trust layer - Add secure failure behavior, recovery paths, audit-relevant events, and data safeguards. - Test abuse cases and destructive operations. ## M3 — Operability - Add structured logs, error reporting hooks, health signals, backup/restore documentation, and deployment configuration. ## M4 — Release gate - Run a clean-install test, critical-path end-to-end test, dependency review, and documented rollback exercise. - Compare the shipped behavior with `PRODUCT.md` and publish remaining limitations. ===== OPERATIONS.md ===== # Operations ## Before release - Validate configuration and secrets at startup. - Define backup, restore, and rollback procedures and test them. - Document logs, error tracking, health signals, and alert ownership. - Set dependency update and vulnerability review expectations. ## Incident checklist 1. Contain the issue without destroying evidence or user data. 2. Record the timeline and affected scope. 3. Rotate exposed secrets and revoke compromised sessions or credentials. 4. Restore from a verified source when needed. 5. Document the root cause, remediation, and regression test. ## Launch constraint Do not market omitted Whimsical capabilities as implemented. The v1 non-goals in `PRODUCT.md` remain user-visible limitations until they are deliberately delivered.
# Whimsical indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Whimsical workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Create a canvas with node shapes, connectors, auto-layout hints, text editing, and PNG/SVG export. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - templates - multiplayer polish - docs integration - wireframe components - comments - sharing permissions If those capabilities are essential, use Excalidraw instead of pretending the gap is solved.
# Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs".
# Build plan ## Original build brief Build me a single-player flowchart tool like Whimsical. Requirements: - A local web app: Vite + React, shapes rendered as SVG. No backend, runs as a static build, fully offline. - Shapes: rectangle, rounded rectangle, diamond, ellipse, sticky note, text label. Drag to move, handles to resize, double-click to edit text inline. - Connectors attach to shape anchor points, stay attached when shapes move, route orthogonally with arrowheads, and can carry a text label. - Snap-to-grid plus alignment guides while dragging; keyboard support for copy/paste, delete, arrow-key nudge, and undo/redo via a history stack. - A toolbar with the shape palette and 8 preset fill colors. No free-form style panel. - Boards autosave to IndexedDB (via localforage), with JSON import/export; export the selection or the whole board as PNG and SVG. - No accounts, no telemetry, nothing leaves the browser. - Out of scope: real-time multiplayer, comments, wireframe component kits, and mind-map mode. Flowcharts and stickies only. - README: npm install / npm run dev, plus the keyboard shortcut list. ## Required capabilities - React canvas/SVG library - local storage or backend - optional real-time sync - export library ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden.
# Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
# Whimsical product brief ## Problem A constrained diagramming tool with nodes, connectors, sticky notes, and export is a very vibecodable core loop; polish and collaboration are what you lose. ## Product outcome Create a canvas with node shapes, connectors, auto-layout hints, text editing, and PNG/SVG export. ## Target user A serious builder who needs a maintainable product foundation rather than a one-off demo. ## Required capabilities - React canvas/SVG library - local storage or backend - optional real-time sync - export library ## Explicit non-goals for v1 - templates - multiplayer polish - docs integration - wireframe components - comments - sharing permissions ## Success criteria - The primary workflow is measurable end to end. - Setup is reproducible in a clean environment. - Failure, recovery, and support paths are documented. - Product claims match what the implementation actually guarantees.
# Architecture ## Starting brief Build me a single-player flowchart tool like Whimsical. Requirements: - A local web app: Vite + React, shapes rendered as SVG. No backend, runs as a static build, fully offline. - Shapes: rectangle, rounded rectangle, diamond, ellipse, sticky note, text label. Drag to move, handles to resize, double-click to edit text inline. - Connectors attach to shape anchor points, stay attached when shapes move, route orthogonally with arrowheads, and can carry a text label. - Snap-to-grid plus alignment guides while dragging; keyboard support for copy/paste, delete, arrow-key nudge, and undo/redo via a history stack. - A toolbar with the shape palette and 8 preset fill colors. No free-form style panel. - Boards autosave to IndexedDB (via localforage), with JSON import/export; export the selection or the whole board as PNG and SVG. - No accounts, no telemetry, nothing leaves the browser. - Out of scope: real-time multiplayer, comments, wireframe component kits, and mind-map mode. Flowcharts and stickies only. - README: npm install / npm run dev, plus the keyboard shortcut list. ## Boundaries Separate the product into replaceable modules for interface, application logic, persistence, external integrations, and operational concerns. Keep domain logic independent from delivery frameworks and vendors. ## Production baseline - Configuration: validated at startup with safe local defaults where possible. - Security: least privilege, input validation, secret redaction, rate limits on abuse-prone paths, and no invented security primitives. - Data: explicit schema and migrations, transactional writes where integrity matters, backup and restore instructions. - Integrations: adapters around third-party providers, idempotent webhook or job processing, bounded retries, and timeouts. - Observability: structured logs with request or operation IDs, an error-tracking hook, and health/readiness checks where a server exists. - Quality: unit tests for domain rules, integration tests at module boundaries, and one end-to-end critical-path test. ## Decision records For each major dependency, document why it was chosen, its failure mode, and how it can be replaced. Do not introduce infrastructure until a requirement justifies it.
# Agent instructions - Read `PRODUCT.md` and `ARCHITECTURE.md` before changing code. - Implement milestone by milestone; keep each change reviewable and leave the application runnable. - Treat authentication, payments, encryption, imports, webhooks, and destructive actions as high-risk boundaries when present. - Never invent cryptography or silently weaken a requirement to make a test pass. - Use provider interfaces for external services and deterministic fakes in tests. - Add migrations and rollback or recovery notes for persistent data changes. - Log useful operational context without credentials, tokens, passwords, or personal data. - Update documentation and run all checks before completing a milestone.
# Delivery milestones ## M0 — Decisions and scaffold - Confirm the runtime, persistence model, threat boundaries, and deployment target. - Create a reproducible local environment and continuous checks. ## M1 — Core workflow - Implement the smallest end-to-end product path with validation and tests. - Keep integrations behind interfaces. ## M2 — Trust layer - Add secure failure behavior, recovery paths, audit-relevant events, and data safeguards. - Test abuse cases and destructive operations. ## M3 — Operability - Add structured logs, error reporting hooks, health signals, backup/restore documentation, and deployment configuration. ## M4 — Release gate - Run a clean-install test, critical-path end-to-end test, dependency review, and documented rollback exercise. - Compare the shipped behavior with `PRODUCT.md` and publish remaining limitations.
# Operations ## Before release - Validate configuration and secrets at startup. - Define backup, restore, and rollback procedures and test them. - Document logs, error tracking, health signals, and alert ownership. - Set dependency update and vulnerability review expectations. ## Incident checklist 1. Contain the issue without destroying evidence or user data. 2. Record the timeline and affected scope. 3. Rotate exposed secrets and revoke compromised sessions or credentials. 4. Restore from a verified source when needed. 5. Document the root cause, remediation, and regression test. ## Launch constraint Do not market omitted Whimsical capabilities as implemented. The v1 non-goals in `PRODUCT.md` remain user-visible limitations until they are deliberately delivered.
$ choose a build depth, inspect the files, then open the complete pack in your agent · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR
They pay for speed and tidy diagrams that teammates can edit without setup.
xtemplates
xmultiplayer polish
xdocs integration
xwireframe components
xcomments
xsharing permissions
Don't feel like building it? These folks already made it free.
all 3 free alternatives to Whimsical →· no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
Whimsical pricing
| plan | monthly | annual (per mo) | what you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| free | $0/user | $0/user | Unlimited private boards and members; 3 team boards, 3 teams, 10 guests, 5MB/file, 1GB storage, 7-day history, 20 AI credits/workspace total |
| pro | $12/user | $10/user | Unlimited team boards; 6 teams, 50 guests, 1GB/file, 100GB storage and 90-day history |
| business | $24/user | $20/user | Unlimited teams; starting at 200 guests, 10GB/file, starting at 2TB storage, unlimited history, SAML SSO and SCIM |
free tierUnlimited private boards and workspace members; 3 collaborative team boards, 3 teams, 10 guests, 2 free workspaces, 5MB/file, 1GB storage, 7-day history and 20 AI credits/workspace total
billingmonthly or annual (annual saves 17% / 2 months)
hidden costsEvery editor is charged separately in each upgraded workspace; viewers are free. Additional AI credits are sold but their price is not public. Adding/removing editors creates prorated charges/credits; custom legal/security terms require sales.
verified 2026-08-12 · source ↗
Vibecode Whimsical
Yes. A competent AI coding agent (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor) can build a usable personal Whimsical replacement in one session with the prompt on this page. It runs on your own machine or server with no subscription.
How much does Whimsical cost?
Whimsical costs about $12/month (Pro, checked 2026-07-30), which is $144 per year. That's what you save by replacing it with one prompt.
What do I lose by replacing Whimsical?
Honestly: templates; multiplayer polish; docs integration; wireframe components; comments; sharing permissions. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Whimsical?
Yes: Excalidraw (Excellent collaborative flowcharts, wireframes, and loose visual thinking; it does not pretend to be a proper document editor or structured mind mapper.) CryptPad (Private collaborative docs, whiteboards, diagrams, slides, and Kanban in one suite; rougher edges, fewer tasteful shortcuts, and no native mind-map mode.) AFFiNE (Docs, whiteboards, databases, mind maps, tasks, and presentation frames in one finished app; the free hosted limits are tolerable for one person or a tiny team.) All 3 curated free alternatives are at vibecodeit.com/whimsical/alternatives. The prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.