Creately
Collaborative diagrams, whiteboards, databases, and project planning
The visible diagramming + whiteboard loop is buildable, but a credible replacement needs more than the first screen. Creately earns its keep through interaction polish, collaboration, so expect a weekend or multi-day build and a narrower personal scope.
Build verification: not recorded. How we judge buildability
What you give up
- large template libraries
- high-fidelity import and export
- presentation and enterprise controls
- multiplayer cursors and comments
Why people still pay
Creately: The shapes are easy; customers pay for low-friction editing, reliable exports, collaboration, and a canvas that never fights them.
Your build guide
The stack, security requirements, and agent rules for a focused replacement.
Before you start
- A supported Node release for development and a modern browser. Ship a static bundle that can work locally without an account.
- Implementation components: Vite, React and TypeScript with SVG for diagrams or a Canvas rendering adapter for raster assets. IndexedDB for projects and revisions; versioned JSON documents with stable object IDs.
- Scope boundary: large template libraries; high-fidelity import and export
Use these project rules and optional skill references alongside the prompt. Review each skill before adding it to your agent; the AGENTS.md export includes the same guidance.
Optional external skill: vercel-composition-patterns — Design reusable React components with composition, context and explicit component variants. Review its instructions and compatibility before use; it does not grant deployment, data-access or publication permission.
Optional external skill: web-design-guidelines — Review web interfaces for accessibility, keyboard focus, forms, navigation and interaction quality. Review its instructions and compatibility before use; it does not grant deployment, data-access or publication permission.
Project rule — data model: diagram nodes, ports, typed edges, external data references, layout bounds and revisions
Project rule — preserve this invariant: Moving a node preserves its edge endpoints; imported data updates require a preview and cannot erase manual diagram annotations.
Project rule — acceptance evidence: Move and resize a connected shape without dangling edges; remove a source row and retain the diagram node with a broken-reference warning.
Implementation plan
Phase 1
Scope and fixtures. Implement this bounded workflow: Create a diagram canvas with flowchart stencils, snapping connectors and editable node properties. Bind a selected node to an imported data row and show when that source row changes. Record prerequisites, select representative user-owned fixtures and document the unsupported features: large template libraries; high-fidelity import and export
Phase 2
Durable model. Model diagram nodes, ports, typed edges, external data references, layout bounds and revisions Add migrations or a versioned document format, explicit validation, stable IDs and a visible import-error report. Preserve this rule: Moving a node preserves its edge endpoints; imported data updates require a preview and cannot erase manual diagram annotations.
Phase 3
Complete the first useful path. Implement the workflow's input, review and output interface, with clear controls and explicit empty/error states. Represent edits as reversible commands, debounce autosave, and persist a complete project snapshot before destructive structural changes.
Phase 4
Permissions and integration failure. Sanitize imported SVG, reject external scripts and oversized assets, and require user selection before reading local files. Keep document contents out of telemetry. Request integration credentials and permissions only for the enabled feature; show a disconnected state instead of mock results.
Phase 5
Portable handoff. Export editable JSON with assets and an SVG or PNG rendering. Reopen the editable export to retain layers, relationships and IDs; image exports alone are not backups. Include setup, operating limits, fixture walkthrough and shutdown/restart instructions in the README.
Phase 6
Acceptance scenarios. Move and resize a connected shape without dangling edges; remove a source row and retain the diagram node with a broken-reference warning. Repeat the workflow after restart and with a denied permission or unavailable dependency; show recoverable failure rather than a success placeholder.
WORKING SLICE Create a diagram canvas with flowchart stencils, snapping connectors and editable node properties. Bind a selected node to an imported data row and show when that source row changes. Build this scoped Creately-inspired workflow with a documented data model and visible failure states. Architecture - Vite, React and TypeScript with SVG for diagrams or a Canvas rendering adapter for raster assets. - IndexedDB for projects and revisions; versioned JSON documents with stable object IDs. Prerequisites and limits A supported Node release for development and a modern browser. Ship a static bundle that can work locally without an account. Outside this release: large template libraries; high-fidelity import and export Data model and correctness diagram nodes, ports, typed edges, external data references, layout bounds and revisions Invariant: Moving a node preserves its edge endpoints; imported data updates require a preview and cannot erase manual diagram annotations. Represent edits as reversible commands, debounce autosave, and persist a complete project snapshot before destructive structural changes. Security and privacy Sanitize imported SVG, reject external scripts and oversized assets, and require user selection before reading local files. Keep document contents out of telemetry. Recovery and export Export editable JSON with assets and an SVG or PNG rendering. Reopen the editable export to retain layers, relationships and IDs; image exports alone are not backups. Implementation order 1. Phase 1 — Scope and fixtures. Implement this bounded workflow: Create a diagram canvas with flowchart stencils, snapping connectors and editable node properties. Bind a selected node to an imported data row and show when that source row changes. Record prerequisites, select representative user-owned fixtures and document the unsupported features: large template libraries; high-fidelity import and export 2. Phase 2 — Durable model. Model diagram nodes, ports, typed edges, external data references, layout bounds and revisions Add migrations or a versioned document format, explicit validation, stable IDs and a visible import-error report. Preserve this rule: Moving a node preserves its edge endpoints; imported data updates require a preview and cannot erase manual diagram annotations. 3. Phase 3 — Complete the first useful path. Implement the workflow's input, review and output interface, with clear controls and explicit empty/error states. Represent edits as reversible commands, debounce autosave, and persist a complete project snapshot before destructive structural changes. 4. Phase 4 — Permissions and integration failure. Sanitize imported SVG, reject external scripts and oversized assets, and require user selection before reading local files. Keep document contents out of telemetry. Request integration credentials and permissions only for the enabled feature; show a disconnected state instead of mock results. 5. Phase 5 — Portable handoff. Export editable JSON with assets and an SVG or PNG rendering. Reopen the editable export to retain layers, relationships and IDs; image exports alone are not backups. Include setup, operating limits, fixture walkthrough and shutdown/restart instructions in the README. 6. Phase 6 — Acceptance scenarios. Move and resize a connected shape without dangling edges; remove a source row and retain the diagram node with a broken-reference warning. Repeat the workflow after restart and with a denied permission or unavailable dependency; show recoverable failure rather than a success placeholder. Acceptance Move and resize a connected shape without dangling edges; remove a source row and retain the diagram node with a broken-reference warning. Use real source data or clearly labeled fixtures. Explain unsupported input and provider failures; do not fabricate analytics, delivery receipts, accuracy claims or security guarantees. Optional agent guidance Optional external skill: [vercel-composition-patterns](https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/blob/main/skills/composition-patterns/SKILL.md) — Design reusable React components with composition, context and explicit component variants. Review its instructions and compatibility before use; it does not grant deployment, data-access or publication permission. Optional external skill: [web-design-guidelines](https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/blob/main/skills/web-design-guidelines/SKILL.md) — Review web interfaces for accessibility, keyboard focus, forms, navigation and interaction quality. Review its instructions and compatibility before use; it does not grant deployment, data-access or publication permission. Project rule — data model: diagram nodes, ports, typed edges, external data references, layout bounds and revisions Project rule — preserve this invariant: Moving a node preserves its edge endpoints; imported data updates require a preview and cannot erase manual diagram annotations. Project rule — acceptance evidence: Move and resize a connected shape without dangling edges; remove a source row and retain the diagram node with a broken-reference warning.
$ open in your agent (prompt prefilled, you press enter), copy the prompt or copy or download AGENTS.md
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Creately pricing
| plan | monthly | annual (per mo) | what you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| free | $0/workspace | $0/workspace | 3 infinite workspaces; unlimited canvases and collaborators; 45 items per canvas; 1 folder; 2 importsThe current comparison table does not publish a numeric storage allowance for Free. |
| starter | $8/workspace | $5/workspace | Unlimited canvases; 1,000 items per canvas; 20 active folders; 5 GB storage; unlimited imports; 30-day version historySelf-serve individual/workspace tier. |
| team | $8/user | $5/user | Unlimited canvases; 1,500 items per canvas; 30 active folders; 10 GB storage per user; unlimited imports; 30-day version historySeat-based. |
| business | $149/workspace | $89/workspace | Unlimited users; up to 3,000 items per canvas; 100 active folders; 30 GB storage; 50 databases with 500 items each; 1-year version historyFlat workspace price; 7-day trial. |
| enterprise | — | — | Custom users and deployment; unlimited storage, folders and canvas items; permanent version history; SSO, SCIM, audit and admin controlsCustom quote; cloud and on-premise arrangements are handled by sales. |
free tier3 infinite workspaces, unlimited canvases/collaborators, 45 items per canvas, 1 folder and 2 imports; numeric storage cap not published
billingfree + monthly and annual self-serve plans; annual Starter/Team are $5 versus $8 monthly, and Business is $89 versus $149 monthly
hidden costsTeam is per user; Enterprise-only capabilities can be sold as Business add-ons; AI usage allowances and add-on prices are not numerically published; taxes may apply
pricing sources checked 2026-08-14 · pricing source ↗
Questions about Creately
Can you build your own Creately with AI?
Partly. The visible diagramming + whiteboard loop is buildable, but a credible replacement needs more than the first screen. Creately earns its keep through interaction polish, collaboration, so expect a weekend or multi-day build and a narrower personal scope.
What does the Creately build prompt cover?
The prompt starts with this scope: Create a diagram canvas with flowchart stencils, snapping connectors and editable node properties. Bind a selected node to an imported data row and show when that source row changes. Full-product capabilities excluded from the comparison include: large template libraries; high-fidelity import and export; presentation and enterprise controls. Follow the implementation plan and its prerequisites before expanding the build.
How do I use the prompt, AGENTS.md and agent skills?
Start with the Creately prerequisites and stack, then copy the prompt into your coding agent. Save the project rules as AGENTS.md in the project root. Linked skills are optional packages or source instructions for specific tasks; review their current contents and install only those matching the chosen stack. A skill does not supply API credentials or verify the finished app.
How long will this Creately project take?
The catalogue estimate is multi-day for the limited scope. Setup, integration approvals, debugging, deployment and ongoing maintenance can add time. This is an estimate, not a delivery guarantee.
What would I give up by replacing Creately?
large template libraries; high-fidelity import and export; presentation and enterprise controls; multiplayer cursors and comments. Creately: The shapes are easy; customers pay for low-friction editing, reliable exports, collaboration, and a canvas that never fights them.
What can I use instead of building Creately?
AFFiNE: Notion and Miro sharing one canvas: collaborative docs, databases, diagrams, whiteboards, and planning views; dedicated PM automation is thinner. Check each option's license, hosting needs and feature limits.