Embed diagrams (e.g. as xml files) by reference in markdown

[Andrea Bettati]

In my workflow I use both git (GitLab on a private server) and draw.io

I wonder what's the best way to start versioning diagrams as well as code, and embed them in the markdown documentation.

I saw that it is possible to version a single diagram by exporting it to uncompressed xml. Now, ideally what I would like is a flow like this:

 - edit diagram on the native app

 - version diagram by exporting as xml

 - embed in .md docs by reference

In other words, I would love to not have a jpeg/png version of the diagram and yet still having it rendered in markdown. Is this even possible?

I found this support page Embed a diagram in GitHub markdown, but it seems to be not what I'm looking for:

 - opens an embedded editor

 - I don't think it will worjk with private gitlab severs?

Any suggestion (even involving different tools) would be much appreciated.

Best,
Andrea