CollabyDraw is a web-based collaborative whiteboard where multiple users can draw, edit, and brainstorm together in real time. Whether solo or in a group session, the app offers a smooth, intuitive canvas experience with real-time sync, shape tools, editable text, and privacy-focused end-to-end encryption — all without needing an account.
- Canvas Drawing: Freehand, shapes, and editable text
- Rough.js Support: Optional sketch-style drawing
- Perfect-freehand Support: Hand drawn feel
- Eraser Tool: Remove individual shapes
- Editable Text: Double-click to edit on canvas
- Real-time Sync: WebSocket-powered live drawing
- Multi-Tab Awareness: No duplicate join/leave events
- Optimistic Updates: Instant feedback before server response
CollabyDraw is built with privacy by design to ensure that no sensitive drawing data can be accessed by anyone other than the intended participants.
-
The encryption key after the comma (
xyz456) is part of the URL fragment (#...). -
This fragment is never sent in HTTP requests, meaning:
The server cannot see or store the encryption key.
- All encrypted drawing data is transmitted over WebSocket.
- The decryption and rendering happen completely on the client-side using the
keyfrom the URL. - Even if someone intercepts the WebSocket traffic, they cannot decrypt the data without the key.
- No one — not even the server — can read what’s drawn in a room without the key.
- Ensures confidentiality for private brainstorming, teaching, or design sessions.
- Works like Collabydraw's E2EE rooms, but tailored for your collaborative drawing logic.
- Message Queue: Stores unsent messages in memory/localStorage
- Auto Retry: Flushes queued messages on reconnect
- Standalone Mode: Offline/local drawing
- Room Mode: Collaborative sessions
- Frontend: React (Vite), TypeScript, Tailwind CSS
- Canvas: HTML Canvas API + Custom Engine
- Realtime: Native WebSocket (
useWebSockethook) - Security: Hash-based E2EE