name: arch-diagrams description: Architecture visualization patterns using Mermaid and ASCII diagrams. Use for service flows, sequence diagrams, C4 models, decision matrices, or expressing architectural ideas visually. Trigger terms: diagram, flowchart, sequence diagram, architecture visualization, C4 model. allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Glob

Architecture Diagrams

Patterns for expressing architectural ideas visually.

Diagram Selection

Need to Show	Use	Tool
Service dependencies	Flowchart	Mermaid
Request/response timing	Sequence	Mermaid
System boundaries	C4 Context	Mermaid
Internal architecture	C4 Container	Mermaid
Quick inline sketch	ASCII Box	Text
Option comparison	Decision Matrix	Table

Quick Syntax Reference

Mermaid Flowchart: flowchart TD → A[Node] --> B[Node]

Mermaid Sequence: sequenceDiagram → A->>B: Message

C4 Model: C4Context or C4Container → Person(), System(), Container()

ASCII Box: ┌───┐ │ │ └───┘ with ───▶ arrows

Best Practices

•Start simple - ASCII first, Mermaid if complexity warrants
•Label everything - Unlabeled arrows are ambiguous
•Show data flow - Arrows indicate who initiates
•Group related - Use subgraphs for logical boundaries

See reference.md for complete syntax, examples, and advanced patterns.