Logseq Whiteboard Creation

File Structure

LogSeq whiteboards are stored as .edn files in the whiteboards/ directory. The root structure contains two main keys:

{:blocks (shape1 shape2 shape3 ...)   ; All shapes in the whiteboard
 :pages (page1 page2 page3 ...)}      ; Whiteboard page metadata

Core Concepts

Clojure EDN Syntax:

• Maps: {:key value :key2 value2} (key-value pairs)
• Vectors: [1 2 3] (ordered arrays)
• Keywords: :keyword (prefixed with colon)
• UUIDs: #uuid "xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx"
• Comments: ; prefix

Part 1: Creating a New Whiteboard File

Step 1: Create the EDN File

Create a new file in the whiteboards/ directory with a meaningful name:

whiteboards/my-diagram.edn

Step 2: Define the Basic Structure

Start with an empty whiteboard structure:

{:blocks ()
 :pages ({:block/uuid #uuid "YOUR-UUID-HERE"
          :block/properties
          {:ls-type :whiteboard-page
           :logseq.tldraw.page
           {:id "YOUR-UUID-HERE"
            :name "YOUR-WHITEBOARD-NAME"
            :bindings {}
            :nonce 1
            :assets []
            :shapes-index []}}
          :block/updated-at TIMESTAMP
          :block/created-at TIMESTAMP
          :block/type "whiteboard"
          :block/name "YOUR-WHITEBOARD-NAME"
          :block/original-name "YOUR-WHITEBOARD-NAME"})}

Step 3: Generate Required Values

UUID Generation:

• Use any UUID v4 generator (or Node.js: crypto.randomUUID())
• Ensure consistency: the same UUID appears in :block/uuid, :id, and shape :parentId
• Format: #uuid "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000"

Timestamp Generation - CRITICAL:

• Use milliseconds since Unix epoch (January 1, 1970) - NOT seconds!
• Generate with current time: Date.now() in JavaScript
• Example: 1768625722664 (January 17, 2026 at 4:55 AM UTC)
• Both :block/created-at and :block/updated-at should match initially
• Each shape should have a different timestamp (incrementally newer) to avoid conflicts
  • Example progression: 1768625462664, 1768625472664, 1768625482664, etc.
  • Increment by 10000ms (~10 seconds) between shapes for clarity

Why Timestamp Matters:

• If timestamps are from 1970 (like 1768611047550), LogSeq displays "created 56 years ago"
• This happens when the timestamp is too old relative to current time
• Always use current timestamp to ensure metadata displays correctly

Timestamp Calculation Tool:

// Generate current timestamp in milliseconds
const now = Date.now();
console.log(now); // e.g., 1768625722664

// For multiple shapes, increment by 10-60 seconds
const timestamps = Array(10).fill(0).map((_, i) => now - 100000 + i * 10000);

Step 4: Reference the Page UUID Correctly

CRITICAL: The page UUID must be used correctly in THREE different places with THREE different formats:

1. :block/uuid (with #uuid prefix) - page identifier in the :pages block

   • Format: #uuid "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440004"

2. :id inside :logseq.tldraw.page (plain string) - internal tldraw reference

   • Format: "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440004" (NO #uuid prefix!)

3. :parentId in EVERY shape (plain string) - links shapes to their parent page

   • Format: "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440004" (NO #uuid prefix!)

Common Mistake - Using a placeholder string:

❌ WRONG:

:pages ({:block/uuid #uuid "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440004"
         :block/properties
         {:ls-type :whiteboard-page
          :logseq.tldraw.page
          {:id "page-001-uuid"              ; WRONG - not the actual UUID!
           :name "my-whiteboard"}}})

{:block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "box-001"
   :parentId "page-001-uuid"               ; WRONG - not the actual UUID!
   }}}

✅ CORRECT:

:pages ({:block/uuid #uuid "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440004"
         :block/properties
         {:ls-type :whiteboard-page
          :logseq.tldraw.page
          {:id "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440004"  ; CORRECT - actual UUID string
           :name "my-whiteboard"}}})

{:block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "box-001"
   :parentId "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440004"   ; CORRECT - actual UUID string
   }}}

Why this matters: LogSeq uses the :parentId to link shapes to their parent page. If the :parentId doesn't match the page's :id in :logseq.tldraw.page, the shapes won't be recognized as belonging to that page, and bindings will not work.

Part 1.5: Understanding Timestamps and Metadata

LogSeq Metadata Fields

Every LogSeq whiteboard page has metadata that affects how it displays in the graph:

:pages (
 {:block/uuid #uuid "228d6029-0710-4a4b-943a-cc9dab11092f"
  :block/properties {...}
  :block/updated-at 1768625722664    ; Last modification time
  :block/created-at 1768625462664    ; Creation time
  :block/type "whiteboard"           ; Always "whiteboard" for diagram files
  :block/name "OAuth2-Authorization-Code-Flow"  ; Display name in LogSeq
  :block/original-name "OAuth2-Authorization-Code-Flow"})

Timestamp Metadata Issues

Problem: "Created 56 years ago"

If your whiteboards show "created 56 years ago" in LogSeq metadata, it's because:

1. The timestamps are too old (e.g., 1768611047550 from past sessions)
2. LogSeq calculates time difference from current date
3. Old timestamps = large gap = appears ancient

Solution:

Always use current timestamps when generating new whiteboards:

// ✅ CORRECT: Use current time
const now = Date.now();
console.log(now);  // ~1768625722664 (January 2026)

// ❌ WRONG: Using old static timestamps
const old = 1768611047550;  // This is from past date

Shape Timestamp Strategy

For a cohesive diagram, use timestamps that are close together but slightly different:

; All created in same session, moments apart
:block/created-at 1768625462664  ; Page created
...shapes...
:block/created-at 1768625462664  ; First shape (same time)
:block/created-at 1768625472664  ; Second shape (10 seconds later)
:block/created-at 1768625482664  ; Third shape (20 seconds later)
:block/created-at 1768625492664  ; Fourth shape (30 seconds later)

Calculating Current Timestamp

JavaScript:

const now = Date.now();  // Current time in milliseconds

Node.js One-liner:

node -e "console.log(Date.now())"

Manual Calculation:

• Current Unix timestamp (seconds): date +%s
• Multiply by 1000 to get milliseconds: date +%s000

Full Example with Correct Timestamps

{:blocks (
  {:block/created-at 1768625462664  ; Page creation time
   :block/properties
   {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
    :logseq.tldraw.shape
    {:id "title-shape"
     :parentId "228d6029-0710-4a4b-943a-cc9dab11092f"}}
   :block/updated-at 1768625462664}
  
  {:block/created-at 1768625472664  ; 10 seconds later
   :block/properties
   {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
    :logseq.tldraw.shape
    {:id "box-shape-1"
     :parentId "228d6029-0710-4a4b-943a-cc9dab11092f"}}
   :block/updated-at 1768625472664}
  
  {:block/created-at 1768625482664  ; 20 seconds later
   :block/properties
   {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
    :logseq.tldraw.shape
    {:id "box-shape-2"
     :parentId "228d6029-0710-4a4b-943a-cc9dab11092f"}}
   :block/updated-at 1768625482664})
 
 :pages (
  {:block/uuid #uuid "228d6029-0710-4a4b-943a-cc9dab11092f"
   :block/properties
   {:ls-type :whiteboard-page
    :logseq.tldraw.page
    {:id "228d6029-0710-4a4b-943a-cc9dab11092f"
     :name "My-Diagram"}}
   :block/updated-at 1768625482664  ; Page last updated (should be time of last shape)
   :block/created-at 1768625462664  ; Page first created
   :block/type "whiteboard"
   :block/name "My-Diagram"
   :block/original-name "My-Diagram"})}

Shape Block Structure

Each shape is a block with standard LogSeq properties plus tldraw-specific geometry:

{:block/created-at TIMESTAMP
 :block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "SHAPE-UUID"                 ; unique identifier for this shape
   :type "SHAPE-TYPE"               ; shape type: "text", "box", "ellipse", "line", "polygon", "pencil", "highlighter", "logseq-portal"
   :point [X Y]                     ; [left, top] position in pixels
   :size [WIDTH HEIGHT]             ; [width, height] in pixels
   :parentId "PAGE-UUID"            ; links to parent page
   :index INDEX                     ; z-order (0, 1, 2...) - higher numbers appear on top
   :scale [1 1]                     ; scale multiplier [x y]
   :scaleLevel "md"                 ; scale level: "sm", "md", "lg", "xl", "xxl"
   :opacity 1                       ; 0.0 to 1.0 (transparency)
   :nonce TIMESTAMP                 ; creation time in milliseconds
   
   ; Stroke/Border Properties
   :stroke ""                       ; stroke color: "" (none), "blue", "green", "red", "purple", or hex "#333333"
   :strokeWidth 2                   ; border thickness in pixels (affected by scaleLevel)
   :strokeType "line"               ; "line", "dotted", "dashed"
   
   ; Fill Properties
   :noFill true                     ; true = transparent, false = filled
   :fill ""                         ; fill color: "" (none), "blue", "green", "red", "purple", or hex "#e3f2fd"
   
   ; Text Properties (for text shapes)
   :text "Shape Text"               ; the displayed text content
   :fontSize 20                     ; font size in pixels (affected by scaleLevel)
   :fontFamily "var(--ls-font-family)"  ; font family (use this default)
   :fontWeight 400                  ; 400 (normal), 700 (bold)
   :italic false                    ; true or false
   :lineHeight 1.2                  ; line spacing multiplier
   :padding 4                       ; internal text padding
   :isSizeLocked true               ; prevent resizing (text shapes)
   
   ; Labels (for shapes like ellipse, box)
   :label "Shape Label"             ; optional label/text displayed on shape
   
   ; Geometry Properties (shape-specific)
   :borderRadius 2                  ; corner radius for box shapes (0-8+ pixels)
   
   ; References (optional)
   :refs []                         ; array of page/tag references ["TODO", "cheatsheet"]
   
   ; Rotation (optional)
   :rotation 0}}                    ; rotation in degrees
 :block/updated-at TIMESTAMP}

Scale Levels and Their Effects

The :scaleLevel property affects visual rendering. Common values:

Important: strokeWidth and fontSize in the shape definition are BASE values. The actual rendered size = base × scaleLevel multiplier.

Shape Types Reference

LogSeq uses tldraw shape types. All supported types:

Line Shapes with Connectors

Line shapes in LogSeq whiteboards support sophisticated connections between shapes using handles and bindings. This allows arrows to snap to shapes and maintain connections when shapes are moved.

Basic Line Structure

{:block/created-at TIMESTAMP
 :block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "LINE-UUID"
   :type "line"
   :point [X Y]                     ; starting position
   :strokeType "line"               ; "line", "dotted", "dashed"
   :strokeWidth 1                   ; line thickness
   :opacity 1
   :label ""                        ; empty for connectors
   :fontWeight 400
   :noFill true
   :fontSize 20
   :parentId "PAGE-UUID"
   :index INDEX
   :nonce TIMESTAMP
   :italic false
   
   ; Handles define connection points
   :handles
   {:start
    {:id "start"
     :canBind true                  ; allows binding to shapes
     :point [X Y]                   ; relative offset from shape :point
     :bindingId "BINDING-UUID"}     ; links to binding in page
    :end
    {:id "end"
     :canBind true
     :point [X Y]
     :bindingId "BINDING-UUID"}}
   
   ; Decorations add arrowheads
   :decorations
   {:start "arrow"                  ; arrowhead at start (optional)
    :end "arrow"}}}                 ; arrowhead at end (optional)
 :block/updated-at TIMESTAMP}

Page Bindings Configuration

Lines that connect to shapes require bindings in the :logseq.tldraw.page section. Each binding links a line's handle to a target shape:

:pages (
 {:block/uuid #uuid "PAGE-UUID"
  :block/properties
  {:ls-type :whiteboard-page
   :logseq.tldraw.page
   {:id "PAGE-UUID"
    :name "my-whiteboard"
    :bindings
    {; Binding for line start handle
     :BINDING-START-UUID
     {:id "BINDING-START-UUID"
      :type "line"                  ; binding type
      :fromId "LINE-UUID"           ; the line shape ID
      :toId "SHAPE-UUID"            ; target shape to connect to
      :handleId "start"             ; which handle: "start" or "end"
      :point [0.5 0.5]              ; attachment point on target (0-1, center = 0.5)
      :distance 4}                  ; snap distance
     
     ; Binding for line end handle
     :BINDING-END-UUID
     {:id "BINDING-END-UUID"
      :type "line"
      :fromId "LINE-UUID"
      :toId "OTHER-SHAPE-UUID"
      :handleId "end"
      :point [0.5 0.5]
      :distance 4}}
    :shapes-index [...]}}})

Complete Line Example with Bindings

Here's a complete example of a line connecting two boxes:

Line Shape:

{:block/created-at 1768621811641
 :block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "line-001"
   :type "line"
   :point [799.66 676]
   :strokeType "line"
   :strokeWidth 1
   :opacity 1
   :label ""
   :fontWeight 700
   :noFill true
   :fontSize 20
   :parentId "page-uuid"
   :index 3
   :nonce 1768621811641
   :italic false
   :handles
   {:start
    {:id "start"
     :canBind true
     :point [24.68 0]               ; offset from line :point
     :bindingId "binding-start-001"}
    :end
    {:id "end"
     :canBind true
     :point [0 144]                 ; offset from line :point
     :bindingId "binding-end-001"}}
   :decorations
   {:start "arrow"                  ; arrowhead at both ends
    :end "arrow"}}}
 :block/updated-at 1768621811641}

Page Bindings:

:bindings
{:binding-start-001
 {:id "binding-start-001"
  :type "line"
  :fromId "line-001"                ; the line
  :toId "box-001"                   ; connects to first box
  :handleId "start"
  :point [0.5 0.5]                  ; center of box
  :distance 4}
 :binding-end-001
 {:id "binding-end-001"
  :type "line"
  :fromId "line-001"
  :toId "box-002"                   ; connects to second box
  :handleId "end"
  :point [0.5 0.5]
  :distance 4}}

Line Decoration Options

Control arrowhead appearance with :decorations:

Tips for Creating Connected Lines

1. Generate UUIDs: Create unique IDs for line shape, start binding, and end binding
2. Position line roughly: Set :point near the midpoint between shapes
3. Calculate handle offsets: :handles :start :point and :end :point are relative to line :point
   • Formula: handle_offset = target_position - line_point
   • Example: Line at [320 455], target at [480 335] → offset = [160 -120]
4. Create bindings: Add both bindings to page :bindings map with matching IDs
5. Reference target shapes: Use actual shape UUIDs in :toId
6. Set attachment points: Use [0.5 0.5] for center, [0 0.5] for left-center, [1 0.5] for right-center, etc.
7. Verify coordinates: line :point + handle :point should roughly equal target shape edge position

CRITICAL: How Line Bindings Actually Work

Understanding the Binding System:

Line bindings in LogSeq whiteboards work through a coordinate-based attachment system. Each line has TWO handles (start and end), and each handle needs:

1. A position offset (:point in the handle) relative to the line's :point
2. A binding that references a target shape to attach to
3. An attachment point on the target shape (:point [x y] where x,y are 0-1 ratios)

The Key Insight: The line's handle :point plus the line's base :point should roughly equal the position where you want the connection to occur on the target shape.

Step-by-Step Line Binding Process:

; Example: Connect "box-step2" at [80 420] to "box-step3" at [480 300]

; STEP 1: Choose where to position your line
; Pick a point roughly between the two shapes
:point [320 455]  ; somewhere in the middle

; STEP 2: Calculate handle offsets
; For the START handle (connecting to box-step2 at [80 420]):
; We want to connect to the RIGHT edge of box-step2
; box-step2 is at [80 420], size [240 70]
; Right edge center = [80 + 240, 420 + 35] = [320, 455]
; Offset from line point [320 455] = [320 - 320, 455 - 455] = [0, 0]
:handles {
  :start {
    :point [0 0]  ; This means: line point + [0 0] = [320 455]
    :bindingId "binding-1-start"}}

; For the END handle (connecting to box-step3 at [480 300]):
; We want to connect to the LEFT edge of box-step3
; box-step3 is at [480 300], size [240 70]
; Left edge center = [480, 300 + 35] = [480, 335]
; Offset from line point [320 455] = [480 - 320, 335 - 455] = [160, -120]
:handles {
  :end {
    :point [160 -120]  ; This means: line point + [160 -120] = [480 335]
    :bindingId "binding-1-end"}}

; STEP 3: Create the bindings in :pages :bindings
:bindings {
  :binding-1-start
  {:id "binding-1-start"
   :type "line"
   :fromId "arrow-1"
   :toId "box-step2"        ; Must be the ACTUAL shape ID you want to connect
   :handleId "start"
   :point [1 0.5]            ; [1 0.5] = right edge, middle (1=right, 0.5=center vertically)
   :distance 4}
  
  :binding-1-end
  {:id "binding-1-end"
   :type "line"
   :fromId "arrow-1"
   :toId "box-step3"         ; Must be the ACTUAL shape ID you want to connect
   :handleId "end"
   :point [0 0.5]             ; [0 0.5] = left edge, middle (0=left, 0.5=center vertically)
   :distance 4}}

Attachment Point Reference:

The :point [x y] in the binding specifies WHERE on the target shape to attach:

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

❌ MISTAKE 1: Wrong shape ID in binding

; You have arrow-1 at [320 455] connecting box-step2 to box-step3
; But you bind to box-step1 instead of box-step2
:binding-1-start {:toId "box-step1"}  ; WRONG - not the shape you want!

❌ MISTAKE 2: Incorrect handle offset calculation

; Line at [320 455], connecting to box at [480 335]
; Offset should be [160 -120]
:handles {:end {:point [0 0]}}  ; WRONG - this would point to [320 455] not [480 335]

❌ MISTAKE 3: Mismatched binding IDs

; Handle references binding-1-start
:handles {:start {:bindingId "binding-1-start"}}
; But you create binding-start-1 instead
:bindings {:binding-start-1 {...}}  ; WRONG - ID doesn't match!

Troubleshooting Checklist:

1. ✓ MOST COMMON ISSUE: Is :parentId set to the actual UUID string (not a placeholder)?
   • Check: All shape :parentId values = page :id in :logseq.tldraw.page
   • Example: "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440004" NOT "page-001-uuid"
2. ✓ Are handle :point offsets calculated correctly?
   • Line :point + handle :point should equal target location
3. ✓ Do binding IDs match between handle :bindingId and :bindings key?
4. ✓ Is :toId the correct shape ID you want to connect to?
5. ✓ Is the attachment :point [x y] on the correct edge (0=left/top, 1=right/bottom)?
6. ✓ Are both bindings (start and end) present in :bindings map?

Polygon Shapes

Polygons support multi-sided shapes like triangles, pentagons, hexagons:

{:block/created-at TIMESTAMP
 :block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "POLYGON-UUID"
   :type "polygon"
   :point [X Y]
   :size [WIDTH HEIGHT]
   :sides 3                         ; number of sides (3=triangle, 5=pentagon, 6=hexagon, etc.)
   :ratio 1                         ; aspect ratio
   :isFlippedY false                ; flip vertically
   :stroke "green"
   :strokeWidth 6
   :strokeType "dashed"
   :fill "green"
   :noFill true
   :opacity 1
   :label "Triangle"
   :fontSize 60
   :fontWeight 700
   :italic false
   :scaleLevel "xxl"
   :parentId "PAGE-UUID"
   :index INDEX
   :nonce TIMESTAMP}}
 :block/updated-at TIMESTAMP}

Common Polygon Sides:

• :sides 3 - Triangle
• :sides 4 - Square/Diamond
• :sides 5 - Pentagon
• :sides 6 - Hexagon
• :sides 8 - Octagon

Pencil and Highlighter Shapes

For freehand drawing and highlighting:

Pencil (Freehand Drawing):

{:type "pencil"
 :points [[0 57.01875 0.5] [1.606 57.553 0.5] ...]  ; [x, y, pressure] array
 :isComplete true
 :stroke ""
 :strokeWidth 2
 :opacity 1
 :noFill true}

Highlighter (Overlay Highlight):

{:type "highlighter"
 :points [[0 0 0.5] [130.46 16.95 0.5] ...]
 :isComplete true
 :stroke "green"
 :strokeWidth 6
 :opacity 0.5                       ; IMPORTANT: use 0.5 for transparency
 :noFill true}

Note: Pencil and highlighter shapes use :points arrays with [x, y, pressure] values. The third value (pressure) is typically 0.5 for consistent line width.

LogSeq Portal Shapes

Embed LogSeq page content directly in whiteboards:

{:type "logseq-portal"
 :pageId "696a2938-dfed-4caf-84e3-fc363a316477"  ; UUID of LogSeq page
 :blockType "B"                     ; block type
 :collapsed false                   ; expand/collapse state
 :collapsedHeight 0
 :compact true
 :isAutoResizing true
 :borderRadius 8
 :fill "green"
 :noFill false
 :stroke "green"
 :strokeWidth 2
 :size [400 161]
 :scaleLevel "md"}

Arrow/Connector Shapes

Arrow shapes are used to show flow, relationships, and directional connections between shapes. Key properties:

{:block/created-at TIMESTAMP
 :block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "ARROW-UUID"
   :type "arrow"                      ; connector shape
   :point [X Y]                       ; starting point [left, top]
   :size [WIDTH HEIGHT]               ; size of connector bounds (can be [0 0])
   :stroke "#333333"                  ; arrow color (hex)
   :strokeWidth 2                     ; line thickness in pixels
   :strokeType "line"                 ; "line", "dotted", "dashed"
   :parentId "PAGE-UUID"              ; links to parent page
   :index INDEX                       ; z-order
   :opacity 1                         ; transparency 0.0-1.0
   :nonce TIMESTAMP}}                 ; creation time
 :block/updated-at TIMESTAMP}

Arrow Positioning Tips:

• :point is the starting coordinate of the arrow
• Arrows in tldraw don't have explicit endpoints; position them visually between shapes
• Use :strokeWidth 2-3 for visibility
• Use darker colors (#333333, #666666) for flow arrows

Arrow Examples by Use Case:

1. Sequential Flow Arrow (between steps):

   {:point [450 270]  ; positioned between Step 1 and Step 2
    :size [0 0]      ; minimal bounds
    :stroke "#333333"
    :strokeWidth 2}
   

2. Feedback/Loop Arrow (curved flow back):

   {:point [600 300]  ; positioned for return path
    :size [0 0]
    :stroke "#666666" ; darker for emphasis
    :strokeWidth 2}
   

3. Conditional Arrow (with different styling):

   {:point [500 400]
    :size [0 0]
    :stroke "#ff9800" ; orange for "then" path
    :strokeWidth 2
    :strokeType "dashed"}  ; dashed for optional/alternative flow
   

Part 3: Complete Examples - Common Shape Patterns

Example 1: Transparent Box (Border Only)

{:block/created-at 1768621679114
 :block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "box-transparent-001"
   :type "box"
   :label "Transparent Rectangle"
   :point [640 544]
   :size [392 128]
   :borderRadius 2
   :stroke ""                        ; empty = default black border
   :strokeWidth 3.2                  ; actual width = 3.2 with scaleLevel lg
   :strokeType "line"
   :fill ""                          ; empty = no fill color
   :noFill true                      ; transparent interior
   :opacity 1
   :fontSize 32
   :fontWeight 400
   :italic false
   :scale [1 1]
   :scaleLevel "lg"                  ; large scale multiplier
   :parentId "page-uuid"
   :index 1
   :nonce 1768621679114}}
 :block/updated-at 1768621679114}

Example 2: Filled Colored Box

{:block/created-at 1768621811640
 :block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "box-filled-001"
   :type "box"
   :label "Colored Rectangle"
   :point [592 824]
   :size [392 128]
   :borderRadius 2
   :stroke "blue"                    ; named color
   :strokeWidth 3.2
   :strokeType "line"
   :fill "blue"                      ; match stroke color
   :noFill false                     ; filled interior
   :opacity 1
   :fontSize 32
   :fontWeight 400
   :italic false
   :refs []                          ; can reference tags/pages
   :scale [1 1]
   :scaleLevel "lg"
   :parentId "page-uuid"
   :index 2
   :nonce 1768621811640}}
 :block/updated-at 1768621811640}

Example 3: Dashed Rectangle (Low Opacity)

{:block/created-at 1768621993112
 :block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "box-dashed-001"
   :type "box"
   :label "Dashed Rectangle"
   :point [528 1032]
   :size [392 128]
   :borderRadius 2
   :stroke ""
   :strokeWidth 3.2
   :strokeType "dashed"              ; dashed border
   :fill ""
   :noFill false
   :opacity 0.6                      ; 60% opacity for subtle effect
   :fontSize 32
   :fontWeight 400
   :italic false
   :refs []
   :scale [1 1]
   :scaleLevel "lg"
   :parentId "page-uuid"
   :index 10
   :nonce 1768621993112}}
 :block/updated-at 1768621993112}

Example 4: Filled Circle (Ellipse)

{:block/created-at 1768621886060
 :block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "circle-001"
   :type "ellipse"
   :label "Circle"
   :point [1144 552]
   :size [384 128]                   ; unequal dimensions = oval
   :stroke "green"
   :strokeWidth 3.2
   :strokeType "line"
   :fill "green"
   :noFill false
   :opacity 1
   :fontSize 32
   :fontWeight 700                   ; bold label
   :italic false
   :refs ["TODO"]                    ; tag reference
   :scale [1 1]
   :scaleLevel "lg"
   :parentId "page-uuid"
   :index 4
   :nonce 1768621886060}}
 :block/updated-at 1768621886060}

Example 5: Transparent Circle with Italic Label

{:block/created-at 1768621866247
 :block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "circle-transparent-001"
   :type "ellipse"
   :label "Transparent Circle"
   :point [1136 848]
   :size [384 128]
   :stroke "green"
   :strokeWidth 1.6                  ; actual width with scaleLevel sm
   :strokeType "line"
   :fill "green"
   :noFill true                      ; transparent
   :opacity 1
   :fontSize 16                      ; smaller font with scaleLevel sm
   :fontWeight 400
   :italic true                      ; italic label
   :refs []
   :scale [1 1]
   :scaleLevel "sm"                  ; small scale
   :parentId "page-uuid"
   :index 5
   :nonce 1768621866247}}
 :block/updated-at 1768621866247}

Example 6: Dashed Circle (Purple)

{:block/created-at 1768621921302
 :block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "circle-dashed-001"
   :type "ellipse"
   :label "Dashed Circle"
   :point [1628 552]
   :size [384 128]
   :stroke "purple"
   :strokeWidth 3.2
   :strokeType "dashed"              ; dashed border
   :fill "purple"
   :noFill false
   :opacity 1
   :fontSize 32
   :fontWeight 400
   :italic false
   :refs []
   :scale [1 1]
   :scaleLevel "lg"
   :parentId "page-uuid"
   :index 7
   :nonce 1768621921302}}
 :block/updated-at 1768621921302}

Example 7: Triangle (Polygon with 3 Sides)

{:block/created-at 1768621953661
 :block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "triangle-001"
   :type "polygon"
   :label "Triangle"
   :point [1688 816]
   :size [256 184]
   :sides 3                          ; triangle
   :ratio 1
   :isFlippedY false
   :stroke "green"
   :strokeWidth 6                    ; actual width with scaleLevel xxl
   :strokeType "dashed"
   :fill "green"
   :noFill true
   :opacity 1
   :fontSize 60                      ; large font with scaleLevel xxl
   :fontWeight 700
   :italic false
   :refs []
   :scale [1 1]
   :scaleLevel "xxl"                 ; extra large
   :parentId "page-uuid"
   :index 9
   :nonce 1768621953661}}
 :block/updated-at 1768621953661}

Example 8: Text Shape with Large Font

{:block/created-at 1768622000065
 :block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "text-001"
   :type "text"
   :text "Text"
   :point [1208 1096]
   :size [134 82]
   :isSizeLocked true                ; prevent resizing
   :borderRadius 0
   :stroke "green"
   :strokeWidth 2
   :strokeType "line"
   :fill "green"
   :noFill true
   :opacity 1
   :fontSize 60                      ; base font size
   :fontFamily "var(--ls-font-family)"
   :fontWeight 400
   :italic false
   :lineHeight 1.2
   :padding 4
   :scale [1 1]
   :scaleLevel "xxl"                 ; xxl multiplier applied
   :parentId "page-uuid"
   :index 12
   :nonce 1768622000065}}
 :block/updated-at 1768622000065}

Example 9: Line with Bidirectional Arrows

{:block/created-at 1768621811641
 :block/properties
 {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
  :logseq.tldraw.shape
  {:id "line-001"
   :type "line"
   :point [799.66 676]
   :strokeType "line"
   :strokeWidth 1
   :stroke ""
   :fill ""
   :noFill true
   :opacity 1
   :label ""
   :fontSize 20
   :fontWeight 700
   :italic false
   :refs ["cheatsheet"]              ; optional reference
   :parentId "page-uuid"
   :index 3
   :nonce 1768621811641
   :handles
   {:start
    {:id "start"
     :canBind true
     :point [24.68 0]
     :bindingId "binding-start-001"}
    :end
    {:id "end"
     :canBind true
     :point [0 144]
     :bindingId "binding-end-001"}}
   :decorations
   {:start "arrow"                   ; arrow at both ends
    :end "arrow"}}}
 :block/updated-at 1768621811641}

Example 10: Complete Whiteboard with Page and Bindings

Here's a minimal complete whiteboard showing two boxes connected by a line:

{:blocks (
  ; First box
  {:block/created-at 1768621679114
   :block/properties
   {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
    :logseq.tldraw.shape
    {:id "box-001"
     :type "box"
     :label "Box A"
     :point [640 544]
     :size [392 128]
     :borderRadius 2
     :stroke ""
     :strokeWidth 3.2
     :strokeType "line"
     :fill ""
     :noFill true
     :opacity 1
     :fontSize 32
     :fontWeight 400
     :italic false
     :scale [1 1]
     :scaleLevel "lg"
     :parentId "page-uuid-001"
     :index 0
     :nonce 1768621679114}}
   :block/updated-at 1768621679114}
  
  ; Second box
  {:block/created-at 1768621811640
   :block/properties
   {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
    :logseq.tldraw.shape
    {:id "box-002"
     :type "box"
     :label "Box B"
     :point [592 824]
     :size [392 128]
     :borderRadius 2
     :stroke "blue"
     :strokeWidth 3.2
     :strokeType "line"
     :fill "blue"
     :noFill false
     :opacity 1
     :fontSize 32
     :fontWeight 400
     :italic false
     :refs []
     :scale [1 1]
     :scaleLevel "lg"
     :parentId "page-uuid-001"
     :index 1
     :nonce 1768621811640}}
   :block/updated-at 1768621811640}
  
  ; Connecting line
  {:block/created-at 1768621811641
   :block/properties
   {:ls-type :whiteboard-shape
    :logseq.tldraw.shape
    {:id "line-001"
     :type "line"
     :point [800 676]
     :strokeType "line"
     :strokeWidth 1
     :stroke ""
     :fill ""
     :noFill true
     :opacity 1
     :label ""
     :fontSize 20
     :fontWeight 700
     :italic false
     :refs []
     :parentId "page-uuid-001"
     :index 2
     :nonce 1768621811641
     :handles
     {:start
      {:id "start"
       :canBind true
       :point [24 0]
       :bindingId "binding-start-001"}
      :end
      {:id "end"
       :canBind true
       :point [0 144]
       :bindingId "binding-end-001"}}
     :decorations
     {:start "arrow"
      :end "arrow"}}}
   :block/updated-at 1768621811641})
 
 :pages (
  {:block/uuid #uuid "page-uuid-001"
   :block/properties
   {:ls-type :whiteboard-page
    :logseq.tldraw.page
    {:id "page-uuid-001"
     :name "my-connected-diagram"
     :bindings
     {; Line connects box-001 at start
      :binding-start-001
      {:id "binding-start-001"
       :type "line"
       :fromId "line-001"
       :toId "box-001"
       :handleId "start"
       :point [0.5 0.5]              ; center attachment
       :distance 4}
      ; Line connects box-002 at end
      :binding-end-001
      {:id "binding-end-001"
       :type "line"
       :fromId "line-001"
       :toId "box-002"
       :handleId "end"
       :point [0.5 0.5]
       :distance 4}}
     :nonce 1
     :assets []
     :shapes-index ["box-001" "box-002" "line-001"]}}
   :block/updated-at 1768621811641
   :block/created-at 1768621679114
   :block/type "whiteboard"
   :block/name "my-connected-diagram"
   :block/original-name "my-connected-diagram"})}

  :size [0 0]
  :strokeType "line"
  :strokeWidth 2
  :opacity 1
  :id "shape-004"
  :point [350 260]
  :parentId "page-001-uuid"
  :nonce 1768611080000}}
:block/updated-at 1768611080000})

:pages ( {:block/uuid #uuid "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000" :block/properties {:ls-type :whiteboard-page :logseq.tldraw.page {:id "page-001-uuid" :name "page-001-uuid" :bindings {} :nonce 1 :assets [] :shapes-index ["shape-001" "shape-002" "shape-003" "shape-004"]}} :block/updated-at 1768611080000 :block/created-at 1768611047550 :block/type "whiteboard" :block/name "my-diagram" :block/original-name "my-diagram"})}

---

## Part 4: Color Reference

Common color hex values for whiteboard shapes:

| Color | Hex | Usage |
|-------|-----|-------|
| Red | `#f44336` | Warnings, errors, critical paths |
| Blue | `#2196f3` | Primary concepts, information |
| Green | `#4caf50` | Success, completed tasks |
| Yellow | `#ffc107` | Caution, attention needed |
| Orange | `#ff9800` | Secondary emphasis |
| Purple | `#9c27b0` | Special topics, ideas |
| Gray | `#9e9e9e` | Neutral, disabled states |
| Light Blue | `#e3f2fd` | Soft backgrounds |
| Light Orange | `#fff3e0` | Soft backgrounds |

---

## Part 5: Best Practices for EDN Editing

### Validation Rules

1. **UUID Format**: Must be valid v4 format with hyphens
   - Valid: `#uuid "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000"`
   - Invalid: `#uuid "550e8400e29b41d4a716446655440000"` (no hyphens)

2. **Map Closing**: Every opening `{` must have matching `}`
   - Track opening/closing brackets carefully
   - Use proper indentation for readability

3. **Keyword Consistency**: Keywords must start with `:` and use kebab-case
   - Valid: `:ls-type`, `:block/uuid`, `:logseq.tldraw.page`
   - Invalid: `:lsType`, `:block_uuid`

4. **Vectors**: Coordinates and sizes must be in `[x y]` format
   - Valid: `:point [100 200]`, `:size [300 150]`
   - Invalid: `:point {x: 100, y: 200}`

5. **String Escaping**: Escape special characters in text
   - Valid: `"Quote: \"Hello\""`
   - Invalid: `"Quote: "Hello""`

### Editing Tips

- **Use a JSON/EDN formatter**: Many tools can validate EDN syntax
- **Test incrementally**: Create simple shapes first, then add complexity
- **Copy-paste patterns**: Use existing shapes as templates
- **Maintain index order**: `:shapes-index` should list shapes in Z-order (back to front)
- **Comments are safe**: Use `;` to add notes without breaking syntax

### Common Mistakes to Avoid

```clojure
; ❌ WRONG: Missing closing bracket
{:block/created-at 1768611047550
 :block/properties {...

; ❌ WRONG: Unmatched quotes
:text "Unmatched quote

; ❌ WRONG: Missing colons on keywords
{block/uuid #uuid "..."

; ✅ CORRECT: Properly formatted
{:block/created-at 1768611047550
 :block/properties {...}}

Integration Workflow

For New Whiteboards:

1. Generate unique UUIDs and timestamps
2. Create .edn file in whiteboards/ directory
3. Add page definition with UUID
4. Add shape blocks with correct parent references
5. Update :shapes-index with all shape IDs in Z-order
6. Validate EDN syntax before saving
7. Reload LogSeq to see the whiteboard

For Existing Whiteboards:

1. Read the existing .edn file
2. Extract page UUID and current shape count
3. Generate new shape blocks with unique IDs
4. Append to :blocks vector
5. Append shape IDs to :shapes-index
6. Update page timestamps
7. Save and reload LogSeq

Debugging

Whiteboard not appearing in LogSeq?

• Check that :feature/enable-whiteboards? true in logseq/config.edn
• Verify file is in whiteboards/ directory with .edn extension
• Validate EDN syntax (no mismatched brackets or quotes)
• CRITICAL: Ensure page :id in :logseq.tldraw.page is the actual UUID string (e.g., "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440004"), NOT a placeholder like "page-001-uuid"
• Verify all shape :parentId values match the page :id exactly

Shapes not visible?

• Check shape :point and :size are within viewport bounds
• Verify :opacity is > 0
• Ensure shape ID is in page's :shapes-index array
• Check :type is a valid shape type
• CRITICAL: Verify shape :parentId matches page :id in :logseq.tldraw.page

Lines/Arrows not connecting to shapes?

• MOST COMMON ISSUE: Check that :parentId in ALL shapes equals the page :id (the actual UUID string)
  • Wrong: :parentId "page-001-uuid" when page :id "550e8400..."
  • Right: :parentId "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440004" matching page :id
• Verify bindings exist in :bindings map with matching :bindingId from handles
• Check :toId references valid shape IDs that exist in :blocks
• Verify handle offsets are calculated correctly (line :point + handle :point = target position)

Styling not applied?

• Validate color hex values (must be proper 6-digit hex or empty string)
• Check :fontSize is reasonable (10-100 pixels typical)
• Verify :fontWeight is valid (400, 700, etc.)
• Ensure :scale is [1 1] for normal display

Resources

• LogSeq Official: https://logseq.com
• EDN Specification: https://github.com/edn-format/edn
• tldraw (shape library): https://tldraw.com
• LogSeq Graph Structure: See logseq/config.edn for configuration options