# Diagram Design Installation Requirements: Complete Setup Guide for 2024 > Diagram Design installation requirements: Get the complete 2024 setup guide. Discover supported AI assistants, network access, and optional Python 3 for PNG exports. - Repository: [Cathryn Lavery/diagram-design](https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design) - Tags: getting-started - Published: 2026-08-20 --- **You need a supported AI assistant platform (Claude Code, Codex, Factory Droid, or Pi), network access to GitHub, and optionally Python 3 with Playwright for PNG export capabilities.** Diagram Design is an open-source plugin distributed through multiple AI-assistant marketplaces. Whether you're adding diagram generation to your Claude Code workflow or integrating with Codex, this guide covers every installation requirement based on the [cathrynlavery/diagram-design](https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design) source code. ## Supported Agent Platforms Diagram Design installs as a **skill plugin** rather than a standalone application. Each platform uses its own marketplace CLI: - **Claude Code** – uses `/plugin` commands - **Codex** – uses `codex plugin` commands - **Factory Droid** – uses `droid plugin` commands - **Pi** – uses `pi install` commands The [`README.md`](https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design/blob/main/README.md) file contains platform-specific instructions for each marketplace. No single universal installer exists—you must use the CLI native to your assistant. ## Standard Installation by Platform ### Claude Code ```text /plugin marketplace add cathrynlavery/diagram-design /plugin install diagram-design@diagram-design ``` ### Codex ```bash codex plugin marketplace add cathrynlavery/diagram-design codex plugin add diagram-design@diagram-design ``` ### Factory Droid ```bash droid plugin marketplace add https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design droid plugin install diagram-design@diagram-design --scope user ``` ### Pi ```bash pi install https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design ``` These commands contact the **public GitHub marketplace** to fetch the plugin. No private repository access is required for standard installation. ## Network and Access Requirements - **Internet connectivity** – All installation commands pull from `https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design` - **GitHub reachability** – The marketplace endpoints must be accessible from your environment - **No VPN/proxy exceptions** – Unless your organization mirrors the marketplace (see below) Per the [`README.md`](https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design/blob/main/README.md) "Claude Cowork" section, organizations can host **mirrored copies** in private marketplaces. This requires additional repository configuration but is optional for most users. ## Optional: Editable/Local Development Install To customize style guides or modify skill sources, clone the repository and install from local checkout: ```bash git clone git@github.com:cathrynlavery/diagram-design.git ~/code/diagram-design ``` Then install via your platform's local path command: **Pi:** ```bash pi install ~/code/diagram-design ``` **Claude Code:** ```bash ln -s ~/code/diagram-design/skills/diagram-design ~/.claude/skills/diagram-design ``` This requires: - **Git** – for cloning the repository - **Local filesystem access** – to the `skills/diagram-design/` directory containing core plugin sources After local installation, use [`scripts/lint-skin.py`](https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design/blob/main/scripts/lint-skin.py) and [`scripts/self_check.py`](https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design/blob/main/scripts/self_check.py) to validate your customization. ## PNG Export Requirements Diagram Design generates **SVG diagrams by default**. For **PNG raster export**, you need additional dependencies: ```bash pip install playwright && playwright install chromium ``` **Python 3** is required, and Playwright handles HTML-to-image rendering. Install this **once before your first PNG export**—it is not needed for standard diagram generation or SVG output. The [`README.md`](https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design/blob/main/README.md) "Export to PNG / SVG" section documents this prerequisite explicitly. No other Python dependencies are mandatory for core functionality. ## Key Files Controlling Installation | File | Purpose | |------|---------| | [`README.md`](https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design/blob/main/README.md) | Primary installation guide with platform commands | | `skills/diagram-design/` | Core plugin source installed by marketplace commands | | [`commands/install-diagram-design.md`](https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design/blob/main/commands/install-diagram-design.md) | Generated CLI reference from README | | [`scripts/lint-skin.py`](https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design/blob/main/scripts/lint-skin.py) | Style validation for customized installs | | [`scripts/self_check.py`](https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design/blob/main/scripts/self_check.py) | Post-installation verification | ## Summary - **Mandatory**: Claude Code, Codex, Factory Droid, or Pi platform access - **Mandatory**: Network connectivity to GitHub marketplace - **Optional**: Git + local clone for editable development install - **Optional**: Python 3 + Playwright + Chromium for PNG export only - **Source location**: `cathrynlavery/diagram-design` repository - **Entry point**: `skills/diagram-design/` directory ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Does Diagram Design work without an AI assistant platform? No. Diagram Design is architected as a **skill plugin**, not a standalone tool. It requires Claude Code, Codex, Factory Droid, or Pi to function. The [`README.md`](https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design/blob/main/README.md) does not document headless or API-only usage. ### Can I install Diagram Design offline or in an air-gapped environment? Standard installation requires internet access to GitHub. However, the [`README.md`](https://github.com/cathrynlavery/diagram-design/blob/main/README.md) "Claude Cowork" section describes **organization marketplace mirroring**—clone the repository internally and point your platform's marketplace to the mirrored copy. Local editable install also works fully offline after initial clone. ### Is Playwright required for all Diagram Design features? No. Playwright is **only for PNG export**. SVG generation, diagram editing, and all core features work without Python or Playwright installed. Add the dependency only if your workflow requires raster image output. ### What permissions does the Factory Droid `--scope user` flag provide? The `--scope user` flag installs Diagram Design for your user account only, rather than system-wide. This matches the repository's recommended installation pattern and avoids requiring elevated privileges in the `droid plugin install` command.