- What is Whimsical?
- Getting started with flowcharts
- Getting started with mind maps
- Getting started with wireframes
- What can you do with Whimsical?
- Using Whimsical Boards
- Working with Whimsical’s infinite canvas - video guide 🎥
- 5 ways to create a new file
- Getting started with Whimsical AI
- How to create a new workspace
- How to use AI-assisted mind mapping
- Customizing file and folder icons
- Mentions in Whimsical files
- Customizing diagram shapes
- Getting started with sequence diagrams
- Using the command menu
- Commenting in Whimsical files
- Getting started with flowcharts
- Getting started with mind maps
- Getting started with wireframes
- Using Whimsical Boards
- Mentions in Whimsical files
- Customizing diagram shapes
- Using sections on the Whimsical canvas
- Sketch on the canvas with freehand drawing
- Annotating files for more detail
- Text-to-object pasting options
- Adding and displaying links in Whimsical files
- Linking to sections and objects
- How to draw a line
- How to filter selected objects
- Presenting in Whimsical
- Using the timer in boards
- Working with the grid and auto-alignment
- Working with connectors
- Does Whimsical have cloud architecture icons?
- Using tables in Whimsical
- Using sticky notes in boards
- Optimizing performance in larger boards
- Using spellcheck
- Setting custom thumbnails
- How overlays work in Wireframe mode
- Hiding cursors while collaborating
- Measure between objects in Boards
- Uploading files to Whimsical
- Getting started with sequence diagrams
- How to create a new workspace
- Requesting file access
- Workspace discovery settings
- Sorting files and folders
- Changing workspace members’ roles
- Adding and removing members
- Creating and managing teams
- Requesting workspace editor access
- Linking between files
- Member roles in Whimsical
- How to delete a workspace
- How to upgrade your workspace
- Guest access
- Renaming your workspace
- Offboarding users
- Consolidating workspaces
- Uploading files to Whimsical
- Organizing your work with tabbed folders
- SAML
- Setting up SAML session expiry
- Security
- Prevent new workspace creation
- Customizing file and folder icons
- How to draw a line
- How to filter selected objects
- Does Whimsical have cloud architecture icons?
- How overlays work in Wireframe mode
- Moving and copying files
- Using Whimsical on mobile
- Does Whimsical have a dark mode?
- File version history
- Why are the colors of some elements toned down?
- Does Whimsical support offline mode?
- Teams, workspaces & sections explained
- Does Whimsical work on iPad?
- Free viewers commenting in workspaces
- Whimsical desktop app
- Is Whimsical available in other languages?
- Inverting the zoom direction in Whimsical so it works more like Sketch
- Troubleshooting issues and reporting bugs
- How to add emojis
- Team FAQs
- How to restore deleted files from the trash
- Searching in your Whimsical workspace
- Organizing files in your workspace
- I’ve upgraded but still don’t have access to the paid features
- Why can't I edit my files?
- Reporting content in Whimsical
- Does Whimsical have an affiliate or referral program?
- Collaborating with others in real time
- Sharing files and managing access permissions
- Hiding cursors while collaborating
- How to switch between workspaces
- Sharing feedback and feature requests
- Embedding & integrating boards with Jira Issues
- Integrating Whimsical with Google Docs
- Embedding files in ClickUp views
- Embedding files in Asana
- Embedding Whimsical files
- Whimsical AI Diagrams for ChatGPT
- Creating Jira & Confluence Smart Links for Whimsical Files
- Embedding files in Guru
- Embedding files in Trello
- Embedding & integrating boards in Notion
- Integrating Whimsical and GitHub
- Embedding files in Zendesk
- Support Whimsical embeds in your app with EmbedKit
- Whimsical previews and notifications in Slack
- Embedding files in Canva
- Integrating Whimsical and Linear
- Embedding files in Nuclino
- Embedding files in Monday
- Embedding files in Medium
- Embedding files in Slab
- Embedding files in Coda
- Whimsical API (Beta)
- Whimsical desktop MCP (beta)
- SAML
- SAML SSO in Whimsical
- SAML SSO with Okta
- SAML SSO with Auth0
- SAML SSO with OneLogin
- SAML SSO with Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD)
- SAML SSO with Google Workspace (previously G-Suite)
- SAML SSO with Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS)
- SAML SSO with other identity providers
- Setting up SAML session expiry
- Managing email changes with SAML and SCIM
- SCIM
- Setting up SCIM with Okta
- Setting up SCIM with JumpCloud
- Setting up SCIM with Entra ID (Azure AD)
- SCIM provisioning with Groups in Okta
- SCIM user provisioning in Whimsical
- SCIM provisioning with Groups in Entra ID (Azure AD)
- Security
- Setting up Two-factor Authentication (2FA)
- Prevent new workspace creation
- Whitelisting Whimsical domains
- Signing in with your Whimsical account on multiple devices
- Contact us
Whimsical desktop MCP (beta)
Welcome to the the beta version of Whimsical’s desktop MCP server.
Use it to:
- Visualize your codebase
- Map your system architecture
- Generate wireframes from prompts or code
- Build prototypes from your wireframes
- And more...
What will you make with it?
This doc should get you started using Whimsical with Claude Code, Codex or Cursor.
If you run into any trouble or have questions, just reach out to our support team.
Step 1: Open Whimsical desktop appCopied!Link to this section
Whimsical’s desktop MCP server is built into our desktop app, available for macOS and Windows. You can download it from here.
The desktop app must be running for the MCP server to work.
Step 2: Setup your MCP clientCopied!Link to this section
The desktop MCP server is designed to be used locally with the coding agents. Follow the instructions below for your specific client to add the MCP server.
Claude CodeCopied!Link to this section
Run the following command in your terminal:
claude mcp add --transport http whimsical-desktop http://localhost:21190/mcp
CodexCopied!Link to this section
Run the following command in your terminal:
codex mcp add whimsical-desktop --url http://localhost:21190/mcp
CursorCopied!Link to this section
- Open Cursor → Settings → Cursor Settings.
- Go to Tools & MCP.
- Click Add custom MCP or + New MCP server.
- Enter the following configuration and save:
{
"mcpServers": {
"whimsical-desktop": {
"url": "http://localhost:21190/mcp"
}
}
}
Other clientsCopied!Link to this section
While we haven't tested other MCP clients, they might work with a similar config.
For clients that don't directly support local HTTP transport, you might be able to use mcp-remote option.
For example, for Claude Desktop you can add the following config to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"whimsical-desktop": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "mcp-remote", "http://localhost:21190/mcp"]
}
}
}
Step 3: Prompt your MCP clientCopied!Link to this section
Start a new client session and ask it to do things in Whimsical. To get started, you can ask it “What can you do with Whimsical MCP?”. 👌
