A method for implementing a graphical modeling tool in a web-based environment is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such a method may include enabling a user to import, into a web-based environment, a domain meta model comprising a number of meta model elements. The method may further enable the user to associate the meta model elements with graphical representations in the web-based environment, thereby allowing the user to create palette elements. The user may then assemble the palette elements on a canvas to create a diagram. This diagram may be converted into an instance of the domain meta model. This instance may be validated for conformance with the rules and constraints associated with the domain meta model. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed and claimed herein.