Design
diagrams
:art: Diagram as Code for prototyping cloud system architectures
★ 42.7k starsMIT
View guide →// design · cisco-open/network-sketcher
network-sketcher
network-sketcher is an open-source design project by cisco-open (cisco-open/network-sketcher on GitHub). It has 400 GitHub stars and 24 forks, is released under the Apache-2.0 license, and was last updated on GitHub on 30 September 2026.
AI-ready network design tool — draw topologies, export PowerPoint and Excel
💎 Hidden gem★ 400 stars⑂ 24 forksApache-2.0updated 2026-09
▦ visual — this project's README ships no embeddable screenshot,
so here's a placeholder. The guide below is complete regardless.
so here's a placeholder. The guide below is complete regardless.
// project facts
Project facts
- Repository
- cisco-open/network-sketcher
- GitHub stars
- 400
- Forks
- 24
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Last updated on GitHub
- 30 September 2026
- Category
- Design
- Listing
- Hidden gem — a shorter page for a lesser-known project
- Official site
- Official site
// how it works
How it works
- Pick an edition
Local, online or offline — your choice.
- Sketch the network
Draw devices, links and topologies.
- Export diagrams
Generate PowerPoint-ready visuals.
- Export configs
Get Excel-based configuration data.
// features
Why people love it
Visual design
Draw network topologies easily.
PowerPoint export
Presentation-ready diagrams.
Excel configs
Configuration data in spreadsheets.
AI-ready
Local MCP for agent integration.
Three editions
Local, online and offline.
Apache licensed
Commercial-friendly open source.
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// run it
Run it yourself
- Step 1 — Clone the repo
Download the source and move into the project folder.
git clone https://github.com/cisco-open/network-sketcher.git cd network-sketcher - Step 2 — Check the README
Every project documents its own setup; start with install requirements.
cat README.md | head -60 - Step 3 — Run it
Follow the project's launch command — Docker, pip, npm, or a binary release.
# see README for the exact launch command
// use cases
What you can build
- Design network topologies visually.
- Export diagrams to PowerPoint.
- Generate config data in Excel.
- Let AI agents work with your designs.
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// faq
Questions, answered
Who maintains network-sketcher?
It is an open-source project at cisco-open/network-sketcher with 162 forks. Check the repo's contributors and recent commits to see how active maintenance is.
Is network-sketcher free for commercial use?
Apache 2.0 licensed — commercial use allowed with attribution.
Online or offline?
Both — plus a local edition, all supported.
What is the MCP for?
A local MCP server lets AI agents interact with your designs.
Is it only for Cisco gear?
It is a general network design tool from Cisco's open team.
// keep exploring
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View guide →// alternatives
Alternatives in Design
The most-starred other Design projects in the LibreAI catalogue — the realistic shortlist if network-sketcher is not the right fit.
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- AFFiNE★ 73.2k
There can be more than Notion and Miro. AFFiNE(pronounced [ə‘fain]) is a next-gen knowledge base that brings planning, sorting and creating all together. Pri…
- draw.io Desktop★ 63.6k
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// more in design
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Get network-sketcher
Free and open — grab the source, star the repo, and start creating.