Architecture Diagrams

Table of Contents

• Overview
• When to Use
• Quick Start
• Reference Guides
• Best Practices

Overview

Create clear, maintainable architecture diagrams using code-based diagramming tools like Mermaid and PlantUML for system design, data flows, and technical documentation.

When to Use

• System architecture documentation
• C4 model diagrams
• Data flow diagrams
• Sequence diagrams
• Component relationships
• Deployment diagrams
• Infrastructure architecture
• Microservices architecture
• Database schemas (visual)
• Integration patterns

Quick Start

Minimal working example:

graph TB
    subgraph "Client Layer"
        Web[Web App]
        Mobile[Mobile App]
        CLI[CLI Tool]
    end

    subgraph "API Gateway Layer"
        Gateway[API Gateway<br/>Rate Limiting<br/>Authentication]
    end

    subgraph "Service Layer"
        Auth[Auth Service]
        User[User Service]
        Order[Order Service]
        Payment[Payment Service]
        Notification[Notification Service]
    end

    subgraph "Data Layer"
        UserDB[(User DB<br/>PostgreSQL)]
        OrderDB[(Order DB<br/>PostgreSQL)]
        Cache[(Redis Cache)]
        Queue[Message Queue<br/>RabbitMQ]
    end
// ... (see reference guides for full implementation)

Reference Guides

Detailed implementations in the references/ directory:

Best Practices

✅ DO

• Use consistent notation and symbols
• Include legends for complex diagrams
• Keep diagrams focused on one aspect
• Use color coding meaningfully
• Include titles and descriptions
• Version control your diagrams
• Use text-based formats (Mermaid, PlantUML)
• Show data flow direction clearly
• Include deployment details
• Document diagram conventions
• Keep diagrams up-to-date with code
• Use subgraphs for logical grouping

❌ DON'T

• Overcrowd diagrams with details
• Use inconsistent styling
• Skip diagram legends
• Create binary image files only
• Forget to document relationships
• Mix abstraction levels in one diagram
• Use proprietary formats