Frequently Asked Questions
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Which IDEs does Mermaid Studio support?
Mermaid Studio works with all IntelliJ-based IDEs (version 2025.1 or later):
- IntelliJ IDEA (Community and Ultimate)
- WebStorm
- PyCharm
- PhpStorm
- RubyMine
- GoLand
- CLion
- Rider
- DataGrip
- RustRover
- Aqua
- Android Studio
What file extensions does Mermaid Studio recognize?
Mermaid Studio recognizes two file extensions:
.mmd.mermaid
It also provides syntax highlighting and preview for Mermaid code blocks in Markdown files (.md).
Is there a free version?
Yes! Mermaid Studio Core provides free syntax highlighting, live preview, and export for all 24 diagram types. No license or trial needed.
Core and Studio licenses include a 30-day free trial with no credit card required.
What diagram types are supported?
Mermaid Studio supports all 24 native Mermaid diagram types:
- Flowchart
- Sequence Diagram
- Class Diagram
- State Diagram
- Entity Relationship Diagram
- Gantt Chart
- Pie Chart
- Quadrant Chart
- Requirement Diagram
- Git Graph
- C4 Diagram
- Mindmap
- Timeline
- Sankey Diagram
- XY Chart
- Block Diagram
- Packet Diagram
- Kanban Board
- Architecture Diagram
- Journey Diagram
- Radar Chart
- Treemap
- Venn Diagram
- Ishikawa Diagram
What version of Mermaid does Mermaid Studio use?
Mermaid Studio bundles multiple Mermaid.js versions (currently 11.13.0 and 11.12.3) and lets you choose which one to use. The rendering engine runs locally within your IDE.
Does Mermaid Studio work offline?
Yes, Mermaid Studio works completely offline. The Mermaid.js rendering engine runs locally within your IDE. No internet connection is required for:
- Editing diagrams
- Live preview
- Exporting to PNG/SVG
- Code completion and validation
Does Mermaid Studio work with AI assistants?
Yes! Mermaid Studio provides MCP (Model Context Protocol) tools that integrate with AI assistants like Claude, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and others.
These tools enable AI assistants to:
- Validate diagrams — Check syntax before presenting results
- Search icons — Find available icons from 200,000+ in supported icon sets
- Generate images — Export diagrams to PNG or SVG directly
This means AI assistants can autonomously create valid Mermaid diagrams, self-correcting errors without manual intervention.
What is the difference between personal and commercial licenses?
| License | Who Purchases | Pricing (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | You, with your own funds | Core: $4.90/mo or $49.00/yr · Studio: $9.90/mo or $99.00/yr |
| Commercial | Your company or organization | Core: $9.90/mo or $99.00/yr · Studio: $19.90/mo or $199.00/yr |
Both license types include identical features. You can use an individual license for commercial development work. The distinction is about who pays for and owns the license, not what you build with it.
What is the difference between Mermaid Studio and Mermaid Studio Core?
They are two separate plugins on the JetBrains Marketplace, each with its own license:
- Mermaid Studio Core — Freemium. Free syntax highlighting, preview, and export for all 24 diagram types. An optional Core license ($49/yr) unlocks paid features for 6 core types (Flowchart, Sequence, Class, State, ER, Block).
- Mermaid Studio — Full plugin. Paid features unlocked for all diagram types ($99/yr).
Install Core if you want the free features or have a Core license. Install Mermaid Studio if you have a Studio license. The two plugins cannot be installed at the same time.
Can I use all 24 diagram types for free?
Yes! Syntax highlighting, semantic highlighting, live preview, and export work for all 24 diagram types in the free tier of Mermaid Studio Core.
Paid features like inspections, smart completions, code formatting, and refactoring are available for 6 core types with a Core license, or all diagram types with a Studio license.
What features require a license?
Paid features include, but are not limited to:
- Inspections and validation annotators
- Smart code completions
- Code formatting
- Refactoring and find usages
- Structure view
- Code vision and inlay hints
- Edit mode (click-to-navigate in preview)
- MCP tools for AI assistants
- Diagram sync (auto-export on save)
- Print dialog
Syntax highlighting, semantic highlighting, live preview, export to PNG/SVG, and Markdown integration are free for all diagram types.
I already have Mermaid Studio. What changed?
Nothing! Your Mermaid Studio experience is completely unchanged. Mermaid Studio Core is a new, separate product for users who want a free starting point. Your Studio license continues to unlock all features for all diagram types.
Can I switch between editions?
Mermaid Studio and Mermaid Studio Core are separate plugins with separate marketplace subscriptions.
- Free to Core: Purchase a Core license from the JetBrains Marketplace. Activate it in your IDE under Settings > Plugins > Mermaid Studio Core.
- Core to Studio (monthly): Cancel your Core subscription, uninstall Mermaid Studio Core, install Mermaid Studio, and subscribe to a Studio license.
- Core to Studio (annual): Contact [email protected] to request a prorated upgrade discount.
- Studio to Core: Cancel your Mermaid Studio subscription, uninstall Mermaid Studio, then install Mermaid Studio Core and subscribe.
Your IDE settings and preferences are preserved when switching plugins.
Is Mermaid Studio affiliated with Mermaid Chart or Mermaid.js?
No. Mermaid Studio is built by Tachi Labs and is not affiliated with Mermaid Chart Inc., Mermaid.ai, or the core Mermaid.js maintainers. Mermaid Studio is an independent third-party product that builds on the open-source Mermaid.js library.