LikeC4 Architecture
Creates and updates LikeC4 architecture models that stay executable and reviewable.
Workflow
- •Scope the model:
- •Identify system boundary and audience.
- •Start with context and container views unless a different view set is requested.
- •Load DSL guidance before editing:
- •If building from scratch or changing notation, read
references/likec4-dsl-quickstart.mdfirst. - •If choosing architecture shape, read
references/likec4-patterns.md. - •If feature usage is unclear, check
references/likec4-capabilities-reference.mdand follow official docs links.
- •Locate or bootstrap model files:
- •Reuse existing
.c4/.likec4files when present. - •If missing, copy starter from
assets/likec4-starter/docs/architecture/model.c4to projectdocs/architecture/model.c4.
- •Model structure before visuals:
- •Define stable element IDs and meaningful names.
- •Add explicit directional relationships with short labels.
- •Add technology/description fields where useful.
- •Keep views focused:
- •Create small, purposeful views.
- •Split crowded diagrams by domain, team, or bounded context.
- •Validate and package:
- •Run
npx likec4 validateand fix all errors. - •Provide
npx likec4 startpreview command. - •If requested, provide build/export commands.
Quality Gates
- •Avoid unlabeled ambiguous relationships.
- •Avoid orphan elements that never appear in views.
- •Prefer domain names over implementation-noise names.
- •Finish only after successful CLI validation.
Command Set
sh
npx likec4 validate npx likec4 start npx likec4 build -o ./dist npx likec4 export png -o ./assets/architecture
Output Contract
When architecture files change, return:
- •Changed files.
- •Validation result.
- •One-line purpose for each view.
- •Relevant preview/build/export command(s).
References
- •DSL quickstart:
references/likec4-dsl-quickstart.md - •Architecture patterns:
references/likec4-patterns.md - •Capabilities map:
references/likec4-capabilities-reference.md - •Checklist:
references/likec4-checklist.md - •Examples:
references/examples.md - •Starter template:
assets/likec4-starter/docs/architecture/model.c4