# AGENTS.md — Build guide for SmartDraw

## Project scope
Build a business flowchart editor with process/decision nodes, labeled connectors, alignment controls and SVG export.

Catalogue verdict: kinda. The visible business diagramming loop is buildable, but a credible replacement needs more than the first screen. SmartDraw earns its keep through interaction polish, collaboration, so expect a weekend or multi-day build and a narrower personal scope.
Use the implementation prompt below to define the deliverable. Complete each phase's acceptance checks before extending the scope.

## Working agreement
- Inspect the repository and its existing instructions before choosing paths, dependencies or commands. Keep one coherent stack and explain changes to the proposed architecture.
- Plan a vertical slice that accepts a real input and produces the useful output described below. Persist only the state the prompt calls for; respect memory-only and upstream-managed workflows. Use fixtures only when they are clearly labelled.
- After scaffolding, document the actual install, development, check and build commands in README and keep them synchronized with the package or project manifest. Do not report commands as successful unless they ran.
- Work in small steps. At handoff, list implemented flows, checks actually performed, remaining blockers, and any credentials or provider setup the owner must supply.
- Do not publish, spend money, contact customers, delete source data or run irreversible migrations without the project owner's authorization.

## Prerequisites
- Runtime and tools: TypeScript, React, SVG or Canvas and IndexedDB with a versioned JSON project format.
- Before starting: A browser with IndexedDB, licensed example assets and fonts, and an agreed output size.

## Stack and architecture
- TypeScript, React, SVG or Canvas and IndexedDB with a versioned JSON project format
- Data design: Store Diagram, NodeKind, Port, Edge and LayoutOverride; edges reference stable node ports and deleting a node requires an explicit connector cleanup action.
- Setup: A browser with IndexedDB, licensed example assets and fonts, and an agreed output size

## Security and data integrity
- Maintain one document model for preview, undo and export. Use stable element IDs; save after completed gestures, handle storage quota errors and provide explicit file backups.
- Correct the earlier workflow-engine data model: this stores diagrams, not executable jobs. Floor plans, engineering accuracy and broad template imports are separate scopes.
- Keep secrets outside client bundles and exported projects; document what leaves the device and make retention/deletion controls visible.

## Agent implementation rules
- Project rule — domain: Store Diagram, NodeKind, Port, Edge and LayoutOverride; edges reference stable node ports and deleting a node requires an explicit connector cleanup action.
- Project rule — scope and recovery: Correct the earlier workflow-engine data model: this stores diagrams, not executable jobs. Floor plans, engineering accuracy and broad template imports are separate scopes.
- Project rule — acceptance: Replace a process node with a decision and move it across the canvas; connector labels remain associated and undo restores the earlier topology.
- Project rule — delivery: document real setup commands and permissions; do not claim a build, accuracy level, performance result or security certification that has not been demonstrated.

## Optional agent skills and references
- Recommended skill: [vercel-composition-patterns](https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/blob/main/skills/composition-patterns/SKILL.md) — separate document tools, property inspectors and export controls into explicit reusable React components. Follow the maintainer's installation instructions and match its requirements to the chosen runtime.
- Recommended skill: [web-design-guidelines](https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/blob/main/skills/web-design-guidelines/SKILL.md) — review keyboard access, focus, validation, error recovery and the readable work/review interface or HTML report. Follow the maintainer's installation instructions and match its requirements to the chosen runtime.

Read the linked SKILL.md and its dependencies before adding a skill. Select only the skills matching this project's runtime and task; their documentation does not supply API access, credentials or approval to perform external actions. Pin the reviewed revision where the tool supports it. Follow the chosen agent's documented project-level installation mechanism.

## Distribution ideas
These are optional planning notes. Obtain the owner's approval before publishing or contacting anyone.
- Demonstrate this working slice using synthetic or explicitly authorized non-sensitive examples: Build a business flowchart editor with process/decision nodes, labeled connectors, alignment controls and SVG export.
- Share a synthetic example export and the acceptance walkthrough; keep real customer, health, financial and source data private: Replace a process node with a decision and move it across the canvas; connector labels remain associated and undo restores the earlier topology.
- State the limits before asking someone to replace their existing tool: Correct the earlier workflow-engine data model: this stores diagrams, not executable jobs. Floor plans, engineering accuracy and broad template imports are separate scopes.

## Engineering roadmap
1. Phase 1 — Pin the working slice and create its example input: Build a business flowchart editor with process/decision nodes, labeled connectors, alignment controls and SVG export. Confirm setup: A browser with IndexedDB, licensed example assets and fonts, and an agreed output size.
2. Phase 2 — Implement persistence and write-time invariants before decorating the UI: Store Diagram, NodeKind, Port, Edge and LayoutOverride; edges reference stable node ports and deleting a node requires an explicit connector cleanup action.
3. Phase 3 — Connect the working view to real saved state. Maintain one document model for preview, undo and export. Use stable element IDs; save after completed gestures, handle storage quota errors and provide explicit file backups.
4. Phase 4 — Expose the app-specific limits and recovery path in context: Correct the earlier workflow-engine data model: this stores diagrams, not executable jobs. Floor plans, engineering accuracy and broad template imports are separate scopes.
5. Phase 5 — Walk through this concrete acceptance case and preserve its exported evidence: Replace a process node with a decision and move it across the canvas; connector labels remain associated and undo restores the earlier topology. Finish the README and backup/restore instructions; report unfinished capabilities explicitly.

## Paid-product capabilities outside this build
- large template libraries
- high-fidelity import and export
- presentation and enterprise controls
- multiplayer cursors and comments

## Implementation prompt
Build the following focused alternative to SmartDraw. This is a deliberately limited personal or small-team substitute, not parity with the paid service.

WORKING SLICE
Build a business flowchart editor with process/decision nodes, labeled connectors, alignment controls and SVG export.

SETUP AND ARCHITECTURE
Use TypeScript, React, SVG or Canvas and IndexedDB with a versioned JSON project format. Prerequisites: A browser with IndexedDB, licensed example assets and fonts, and an agreed output size. Before integrating anything, record actual versions and permissions, plus model files or provider limits only where used, in the README; make unavailable dependencies visible rather than simulating success.

DOMAIN MODEL AND INVARIANTS
Store Diagram, NodeKind, Port, Edge and LayoutOverride; edges reference stable node ports and deleting a node requires an explicit connector cleanup action.

IMPLEMENTATION CONTRACT
Maintain one document model for preview, undo and export. Use stable element IDs; save after completed gestures, handle storage quota errors and provide explicit file backups. Provide an input/setup view, the main work view, and a review/export view appropriate to this workflow. Preserve the last saved state if a job or save fails. Include empty, loading, permission-denied, partial and retryable-error states. Log identifiers and error categories without secret values or unnecessary private content.

APP-SPECIFIC BOUNDARY AND RECOVERY
Correct the earlier workflow-engine data model: this stores diagrams, not executable jobs. Floor plans, engineering accuracy and broad template imports are separate scopes.

ACCEPTANCE SCENARIO
Replace a process node with a decision and move it across the canvas; connector labels remain associated and undo restores the earlier topology. Also reopen the app after an interrupted operation, confirm the saved record/export remains inspectable, and document the recovery action. These are implementation acceptance requirements, not a claim that this guide has been tested.

DELIVERY
Deliver a runnable repository with migrations or project-format versioning, a non-sensitive example, environment/permission setup, the exact manual acceptance steps, and a backup/export-and-restore walkthrough. Implement the working slice before optional integrations; list any deferred paid-product capabilities honestly. Do not add capabilities outside the working slice just to resemble the original product.

PROJECT RULES FOR AGENTS.md
Keep the domain invariants above executable at the write boundary. Propose scope changes before adding providers or permissions. Never fabricate source evidence, publish results, identity matches or successful delivery. Preserve user originals and require an explicit confirmation for destructive changes or external publication.

## Completion evidence
Demonstrate the prompt's acceptance scenarios against the scoped workflow. Include setup from a clean checkout and failure recovery. Check persistence across restart and export/restore only for the state the prompt says to store; for memory-only tools, confirm that temporary content is discarded as specified. Record actual results and remaining limitations. A detailed plan alone does not establish a working replacement.