dotty

Open a graph file (.gv or .dot) in the Dotty editor

$ dotty [path/to/graph.gv]

$ dotty -V

$ dotty -lm [sync|async] [path/to/graph.gv]

$ dotty -el [0|1] [path/to/graph.gv]

dotty [options] [files...]

-V
    Print version information and exit.

-?
    Print usage summary and exit.

-ofile
    Write output to file instead of stdout.

-Tformat
    Set output format (png, svg, pdf, etc.).

-Kengine
    Use layout engine (dot, neato, fdp, etc.).

-Gattr=value
    Set graph attribute (e.g., -Gsize=10,10).

-Nattr=value
    Set default node attribute.

-Eattr=value
    Set default edge attribute.

-Lxn
    Landscape mode, rotate counterclockwise n degrees.

Dotty is a customizable X11-based graph editor from the Graphviz suite for viewing and interactively editing directed graphs in DOT language format. It offers pan, zoom, node/edge selection, attribute editing, routing, and layout reruns using engines like dot, neato, or fdp. Load graphs from files or start empty; save edits as DOT or export to formats like PNG, SVG, PDF.

Key features include mouse-driven editing, spline routing, undo/redo, and attribute inspectors. Ideal for graph prototyping and visualization tweaks. Outputs combine layout and rendering. Deprecated in favor of web tools but remains functional on Unix-like systems with X11.

Requires X11 display server; no Wayland support out-of-box. Interactive only—no headless editing. Large graphs may lag on older hardware.

dotty graph.dot
dotty -Kneato -Tsvg graph.dot

Ctrl-S: Save graph.
Ctrl-Q: Quit.
F2: Edit selected node/edge.

Originated in AT&T Bell Labs Graphviz project (1991–2004); first released mid-1990s. Maintained by Graphviz team post-AT&T. Usage peaked pre-2010; now secondary to browser-based viz.

dot(1), neato(1), fdp(1), gvedit(1), xdot(1), gvpr(1)