---
name: architecture-diagrams-3896b896423c
description: >
  Create system architecture diagrams using Mermaid, PlantUML, C4 model,
  flowcharts, and sequence diagrams. Use when documenting architecture, system
  design, data flows, or technical workflows.
---

# Architecture Diagrams

## Table of Contents

- [Overview](#overview)
- [When to Use](#when-to-use)
- [Quick Start](#quick-start)
- [Reference Guides](#reference-guides)
- [Best Practices](#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:

```mermaid
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:

| Guide | Contents |
|---|---|
| [System Architecture Diagram](references/system-architecture-diagram.md) | System Architecture Diagram |
| [Sequence Diagram](references/sequence-diagram.md) | Sequence Diagram |
| [C4 Context Diagram](references/c4-context-diagram.md) | C4 Context Diagram |
| [Component Diagram](references/component-diagram.md) | Component Diagram |
| [Deployment Diagram](references/deployment-diagram.md) | Deployment Diagram |
| [Data Flow Diagram](references/data-flow-diagram.md) | Data Flow Diagram |
| [Class Diagram](references/class-diagram.md) | Class Diagram |
| [Component Diagram](references/component-diagram-2.md) | Component Diagram |
| [Deployment Diagram](references/deployment-diagram-2.md) | Deployment Diagram |

## 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


---
Source attribution: aj-geddes
Original project: https://github.com/aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts/blob/3f5182cfd739fc113f4af5244a1cf342ad7f7911/skills/architecture-diagrams/SKILL.md
License: MIT
License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit
Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Mega AI Hub.

## Upstream license notice

MIT License

Copyright (c) 2025 AJ Geddes

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.


# Mega AI Hub resource metadata

Creator / publisher: aj-geddes
Original project: https://github.com/aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts/blob/3f5182cfd739fc113f4af5244a1cf342ad7f7911/skills/architecture-diagrams/SKILL.md
Attribution basis: Source repository record

Fields of work: Data & Analytics, Design, Development & Engineering, Product Management
Roles: Backend Developer, Data Analyst, Product Manager, Technical Product Manager, UX Designer
Specialties: API, Backend, Cross Platform
Tools: Mermaid, Plantuml
Country applicability: Country not specified
Classification basis: Source catalog labels
Instruction SHA-256: e16c900ca90e4dd718ad3760286163f53827cbe7e9336d9e45558401c520bb26