graphviz
Files
Install
npx skills add alisonaquinas/llm-doc-skills --skill 'graphviz' -g -y
/plugin install doc-skills@llm-skills
npx skills when you only want this skill, or install the bundle once to make every included skill available through the plugin marketplace flow. Browse the full skill bundle repository at github.com/alisonaquinas/llm-doc-skills.Invoke
/doc-skills:graphviz
SKILL.md
name: graphviz description: Use when a task involves Graphviz, DOT source, directed or undirected graph diagrams, layout engine selection, node or edge styling, or Graphviz rendering and export workflows.
Graphviz and DOT
Intent Router
Load sections based on the task:
- DOT syntax and graph structure ->
references/dot-syntax-and-attributes.md - Layout engine selection ->
references/layout-engines.md - Rendering and troubleshooting ->
references/render-and-debug.md
Overview
This skill covers Graphviz and the DOT language. Use it for graph-structured diagrams, dependency maps, cluster-based architecture views, and CLI-driven export to SVG, PNG, or PDF.
The guidance follows the official Graphviz documentation and DOT language references.
Quick Start
python graphviz/scripts/render.py system.dot --to svg --output system.svg
python graphviz/scripts/render.py topology.dot --to png --output topology.png --layout neato
Preferred Workflow
- Choose the layout engine before tuning individual node and edge attributes.
- Keep graph structure clear in source before styling for presentation.
- Use subgraphs and clusters intentionally rather than as decorative grouping only.
- Render SVG first when diffable output and label clarity matter.
- Simplify the graph when layout behavior becomes hard to reason about.
Authoring Guidance
This skill is the right fit for:
- dependency and relationship graphs
- architecture maps with clusters or subgraphs
- directed and undirected graph visualizations
- DOT-driven diagrams generated from text or code
- layout problems where engine choice matters as much as styling
Rendering and Export
Graphviz uses different executables for different layout engines.
dot is the usual default for hierarchical graphs, while force-directed layouts may fit neato, fdp, or sfdp better.
dot -Tsvg system.dot -o system.svg
neato -Tpng topology.dot -o topology.png
Portability and Troubleshooting
Common issues include choosing the wrong layout engine, over-constraining the graph with style attributes, and expecting one engine's layout behavior to translate directly to another. Reduce the graph until the structural cause of the layout problem is obvious.
Official References
Primary sources:
- Graphviz documentation: https://graphviz.org/documentation/
- DOT language reference: https://graphviz.org/doc/info/lang.html
Deep-dive references for this skill:
references/dot-syntax-and-attributes.mdreferences/layout-engines.mdreferences/render-and-debug.md