# Create a draw.io shape library

Once more than a couple of people draw architecture diagrams, they diverge. A shared library is the cheapest way to stop that.

![image-20260907-080029.png](https://help.gocapable.com/images/e4d7b58d-a07d-4f28-99ee-aafd2f67103c.webp)

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## How to

### 1\. In the draw.io editor, build the shapes you want to share.

![The draw.io shape search panel with the Scratchpad section expanded, a drop area reading drag elements here, and an Edit tooltip over the pencil button.](https://help.gocapable.com/images/9c1019ab-0a2a-4ac9-bbfd-eb6704476516.webp)

### 2\. Add any images you want to the shape library

![image-20260907-080223.png](https://help.gocapable.com/images/f0a58ab9-8717-472d-804f-de3c64ea498e.webp)

### 3\. Save them as a library file.

![Screenshot 2026-09-07 at 09.02.50.png](https://help.gocapable.com/images/f671dc3a-2c52-4e69-9d36-1df3536b7ffc.webp)

### 4\. Upload it so it is available site-wide. See [https://innovator.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NDFC/pages/1409089631](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/administration.html).

![Screenshot 2026-09-07 at 09.03.25.png](https://help.gocapable.com/images/1c7c246a-1dd1-42f2-8a16-94148941b29e.webp)

## What belongs in one

* Your product's own components, drawn once and named properly.
* Brand-correct colours and logos.
* A standard legend, so every diagram explains itself the same way.

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## A few things that catch people out

* Libraries are stored as attachments in your own site, so they never leave it.
* Adding a shape to the library does not update diagrams already drawn with the old version.
* Name shapes for what they are, not what they look like. Search uses the name.

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## Related

[Excalidraw shape librariesThe same idea for sketches.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/shapes-and-icons.html)

[AdministrationMaking it available to everyone.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/administration.html)

[draw.io editorUsing it once installed.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/editors.html)

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_One vocabulary, drawn the same way by everyone._