pencil-mcp-find-empty-space-on-canvas
Smartly find empty canvas space. Use to automatically plan artboard placement to avoid overlap and keep the canvas organized.
Best use case
pencil-mcp-find-empty-space-on-canvas is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt. It is especially useful for teams working in multi. Smartly find empty canvas space. Use to automatically plan artboard placement to avoid overlap and keep the canvas organized.
Smartly find empty canvas space. Use to automatically plan artboard placement to avoid overlap and keep the canvas organized.
Users should expect a more consistent workflow output, faster repeated execution, and less time spent rewriting prompts from scratch.
Practical example
Example input
Use the "pencil-mcp-find-empty-space-on-canvas" skill to help with this workflow task. Context: Smartly find empty canvas space. Use to automatically plan artboard placement to avoid overlap and keep the canvas organized.
Example output
A structured workflow result with clearer steps, more consistent formatting, and an output that is easier to reuse in the next run.
When to use this skill
- Use this skill when you want a reusable workflow rather than writing the same prompt again and again.
When not to use this skill
- Do not use this when you only need a one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- Do not use it if you cannot install or maintain the related files, repository context, or supporting tools.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/pencil-mcp-find-empty-space-on-canvas/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How pencil-mcp-find-empty-space-on-canvas Compares
| Feature / Agent | pencil-mcp-find-empty-space-on-canvas | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Smartly find empty canvas space. Use to automatically plan artboard placement to avoid overlap and keep the canvas organized.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
## Tools
This skill is designed to call the Pencil MCP tool:
* `find_empty_space_on_canvas`
If your client namespaces MCP tools, it may appear as `mcp__pencil__find_empty_space_on_canvas`.
## When to use this skill
### Intent Recognition (CRITICAL)
Even if a trigger phrase matches, you must **verify the user's intent**:
1. Is the user explicitly asking to use "Pencil"?
2. Is the current conversation context clearly about "Pencil" design tasks?
**If the answer is NO, do NOT use this skill.**
**CRITICAL PREREQUISITE:**
**You must ONLY use this skill when the user EXPLICITLY mentions "Pencil".**
**ALWAYS use this skill when:**
- You are about to insert a new Frame or Artboard **in Pencil**.
- You want to ensure the new element doesn't overlap with existing work **on the Pencil canvas**.
- You need to organize the canvas.
**Trigger phrases include:**
- "Find space for new screen in Pencil" (为 Pencil 新页面找位置)
- "Where can I draw in Pencil?" (我在 Pencil 哪里画？)
- "Pencil avoid overlap" (Pencil 避免重叠)
## Input Parameters
* **`width`** (number, required): The width of the required space.
* **`height`** (number, required): The height of the required space.
* **`direction`** (string, optional): Search direction relative to node (e.g., "RIGHT", "BOTTOM").
* **`nodeId`** (string, optional): Starting reference node. If omitted, searches around entire canvas content.
* **`padding`** (number, optional): Minimum padding distance (default: 100).
## How to use this skill
1. **Estimate Size**: Determine the size of the element you plan to create.
2. **Call Tool**: `find_empty_space_on_canvas(width=..., height=...)`.
3. **Use Result**: The tool returns `{x, y}` coordinates. Use these coordinates in your subsequent `batch_design` call to insert the Frame.
## Examples
### 1. Simple: Find Any Space
Find a spot for a small element (e.g., 100x100).
See [1-find-any.json](examples/1-find-any.json).
### 2. Medium: Place Next to Node
Find space to the right of an existing frame.
See [2-place-next-to.json](examples/2-place-next-to.json).
### 3. Complex: Organized Layout
Find space for a large dashboard with ample padding below the header section.
See [3-organized-layout.json](examples/3-organized-layout.json).
## Keywords
**English keywords:**
find space, empty canvas, layout planning, avoid overlap, next to node, smart placement
**Chinese keywords (中文关键词):**
查找空白, 空画布, 布局规划, 避免重叠, 节点旁, 智能放置Related Skills
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