pencil-mcp-find-empty-space-on-canvas

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" (Find a position for a new page in Pencil)
• "Where can I draw in Pencil?" (Where do I draw in Pencil?)
• "Pencil avoid overlap" (Pencil avoids overlap)

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.

2. Medium: Place Next to Node

Find space to the right of an existing frame. See 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.

Keywords

English keywords: find space, empty canvas, layout planning, avoid overlap, next to node, smart placement

Chinese keywords (Chinese keywords): find blank space, empty canvas, layout planning, avoid overlap, next to node, smart placement