Agent skill

canvas-layout

Re-layout existing Obsidian Canvas nodes using 6 spatial algorithms: grid (galleries, mood boards), dagre (flowcharts, org charts), radial (mind maps), force-directed (knowledge graphs), linear (timelines), and auto-detect. Preserves group membership, snaps to 20px grid, refits zones around content. Triggers on: canvas layout, re-layout canvas, arrange canvas, auto-layout, organize canvas, fix canvas layout, canvas grid, canvas dagre.

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Install this agent skill to your Project

npx add-skill https://github.com/AgriciDaniel/claude-canvas/tree/main/skills/canvas-layout

SKILL.md

canvas-layout: Re-Layout Canvas Nodes

Read ../canvas/references/layout-algorithms.md for algorithm details and selection guide. Read ../canvas/references/performance-guide.md for node limits.

Workflow

  1. Identify target canvas: Use the active canvas or ask which one (/canvas list to show options).
  2. Select algorithm: Use the user-specified algorithm, or run auto detection.
  3. Confirm before applying: Show what will happen: "Will apply [algorithm] layout to [canvas] ([N] nodes, [M] groups). Create backup? [Y/n]"
  4. Run the layout script:
    bash
    python3 scripts/canvas_layout.py [canvas_path] [algorithm] [options]
  5. Report results: "Moved [N] of [M] nodes. [G] groups refitted. Backup at [path].bak"
  6. Validate: Run python3 scripts/canvas_validate.py [canvas_path] to confirm valid output.

Algorithm Selection

When the user says /canvas layout auto or doesn't specify an algorithm, use the auto-detection in the script. It analyzes edge density, node types, and connection patterns.

For explicit requests, map user intent to algorithm:

User says Algorithm Options
"organize these images" grid --sort-by type
"make a grid" grid
"flowchart layout" dagre --direction TB
"left to right flow" dagre --direction LR
"mind map layout" radial
"expand from [node]" radial --center [node-id]
"untangle this" force
"spread out the nodes" force
"make a timeline" linear --axis horizontal
"vertical sequence" linear --axis vertical
"auto-layout" auto
"fix the layout" auto

Options Forwarding

Pass algorithm-specific options to the script:

  • grid: --columns N (override auto-detection), --sort-by type|size
  • dagre: --direction TB|LR|BT|RL
  • radial: --center node-id (override auto-detection of hub node)
  • force: --iterations N (default 100, reduce to 50 for 50+ nodes)
  • linear: --axis horizontal|vertical

Add --dry-run to preview without writing.

For Complex Layouts (30+ Nodes)

When a canvas has more than 30 nodes, dispatch the canvas-layout agent instead of running the script directly. The agent can:

  • Analyze the canvas content to choose sub-groups for different algorithms
  • Split large canvases into zone-by-zone layouts
  • Handle edge crossing minimization that the basic dagre doesn't cover
  • Refine positions after the algorithm runs for better visual balance

Edge Cases

  • Empty canvas: Report "No nodes to layout" and skip.
  • Single node: Center it at (0, 0) and skip.
  • No edges + dagre requested: Warn "dagre works best with edges. Using grid instead." Fall back to grid.
  • 100+ nodes: Warn about performance. Suggest splitting into sub-canvases.
  • Backup conflict: If .bak already exists, use .bak2, .bak3, etc.

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