To keep Excalidraw lightweight, improve startup performance, reduce plugin size, and address Obsidian’s high-risk code scanner findings, several advanced features have been moved to the new Excalidraw Extras companion plugin.
The first time you use one of these features, Excalidraw will automatically prompt you to install Excalidraw Extras:
LaTeX formulas (MathJax)
Mermaid diagrams
PDF printing
Direct file system access (files outside your vault)
This change reduces Excalidraw’s size to under 5 MB, allowing even Obsidian Sync Basic users to sync the plugin across all devices while keeping the core plugin lighter. For more context visit: I am splitting Excalidraw into two plugins
Fixed
Keep runtime custom pen settings per custom pen index instead of sharing one active pen object. Switching between custom pens restores each pen’s last adjusted stroke width, colors, fill style, and roughness. @arias007#2801
Insert ANY file: Typing “p” in the search field opens the PDF selection #2791
Blurry arrows in PNG export when arrows have a text label #2793, #11492
I had to remove a very helpful convenience feature from Excalidraw Extras management: automatic plugin enable/disable.
The feature was removed because of an unexpected Obsidian code scanner review that VERY negatively impacted Excalidraw’s scanner score. The same code passed validation without any issues before the release, then failed when released, with no clear warning or guidance. I cannot continue shipping user-friendly automation when the validation target keeps changing.
I support security and quality checks. However, the current scanner process is difficult to work with due to inconsistent results, limited transparency, and the lack of a clear review or appeal process.
If Excalidraw matters to you, please consider contacting Obsidian and advocating for a more transparent, developer-friendly process:
Stable and consistent scanner results before release
Clear, actionable error reporting
A real and timely review and appeal path for questionable findings
Support for safe plugin workflows, such as companion-plugin management and asset deployment
Changed
Removed automatic enable/disable of Excalidraw Extras from the onboarding flow.
Excalidraw Extras must now be enabled manually in Community Plugins after installation.
High impact regression in 2.24.0: Translations were not loading correctly. @Lumintian, #2809
New
Added lock reading mode to markdown embeddables. If reading mode is locked, clicking the embeddable will not switch to the editor. This is useful for interacting with todo lists, links, and other interactive elements in the embeddables. Based on feedback from @robb3r. Mimic Canvas behavior when interacting with embeds - #9 by robb3r
@arias007 #2801
