diagram-generation

Multi-format diagram generation from text descriptions. Create Mermaid, PlantUML, D2, and Graphviz diagrams including flowcharts, sequence diagrams, architecture diagrams (C4), and data models.

509 stars

Best use case

diagram-generation is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.

Multi-format diagram generation from text descriptions. Create Mermaid, PlantUML, D2, and Graphviz diagrams including flowcharts, sequence diagrams, architecture diagrams (C4), and data models.

Teams using diagram-generation should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.

When to use this skill

  • You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.

When not to use this skill

  • You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
  • You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.

Installation

Claude Code / Cursor / Codex

$curl -o ~/.claude/skills/diagram-generation/SKILL.md --create-dirs "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/a5c-ai/babysitter/main/library/specializations/technical-documentation/skills/diagram-generation/SKILL.md"

Manual Installation

  1. Download SKILL.md from GitHub
  2. Place it in .claude/skills/diagram-generation/SKILL.md inside your project
  3. Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill

How diagram-generation Compares

Feature / Agentdiagram-generationStandard Approach
Platform SupportNot specifiedLimited / Varies
Context Awareness High Baseline
Installation ComplexityUnknownN/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this skill do?

Multi-format diagram generation from text descriptions. Create Mermaid, PlantUML, D2, and Graphviz diagrams including flowcharts, sequence diagrams, architecture diagrams (C4), and data models.

Where can I find the source code?

You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.

SKILL.md Source

# Diagram Generation Skill

Multi-format diagram generation from text descriptions.

## Capabilities

- Mermaid diagram generation (flowcharts, sequence, class, ER)
- PlantUML diagram creation and rendering
- D2 diagram generation
- Graphviz DOT language support
- Architecture diagram generation (C4 model)
- Excalidraw integration for hand-drawn style
- Diagram accessibility analysis
- SVG/PNG export with optimization

## Usage

Invoke this skill when you need to:
- Create architecture diagrams
- Generate sequence diagrams
- Build data model visualizations
- Create flowcharts and decision trees
- Export diagrams in various formats

## Inputs

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|-----------|------|----------|-------------|
| type | string | Yes | mermaid, plantuml, d2, graphviz, c4 |
| diagramType | string | Yes | flowchart, sequence, class, er, architecture |
| source | string | No | Diagram source code |
| inputPath | string | No | Path to diagram source file |
| outputPath | string | Yes | Output file path |
| format | string | No | svg, png, pdf (default: svg) |
| theme | string | No | Theme for styling |

### Input Example

```json
{
  "type": "mermaid",
  "diagramType": "sequence",
  "source": "sequenceDiagram\n  Client->>API: Request\n  API-->>Client: Response",
  "outputPath": "docs/diagrams/api-flow.svg",
  "format": "svg"
}
```

## Mermaid Diagrams

### Flowchart

```mermaid
flowchart TD
    A[Start] --> B{Is valid?}
    B -->|Yes| C[Process]
    B -->|No| D[Error]
    C --> E[End]
    D --> E
```

### Sequence Diagram

```mermaid
sequenceDiagram
    participant U as User
    participant A as API Gateway
    participant S as Service
    participant D as Database

    U->>A: POST /users
    A->>A: Validate Token
    A->>S: Create User
    S->>D: INSERT user
    D-->>S: Success
    S-->>A: User Created
    A-->>U: 201 Created
```

### Class Diagram

```mermaid
classDiagram
    class User {
        +String id
        +String email
        +String name
        +create()
        +update()
        +delete()
    }

    class Order {
        +String id
        +Date createdAt
        +Status status
        +process()
        +cancel()
    }

    class OrderItem {
        +String productId
        +int quantity
        +float price
    }

    User "1" --> "*" Order : places
    Order "1" --> "*" OrderItem : contains
```

### Entity Relationship Diagram

```mermaid
erDiagram
    USER ||--o{ ORDER : places
    USER {
        uuid id PK
        string email UK
        string name
        timestamp created_at
    }
    ORDER ||--|{ ORDER_ITEM : contains
    ORDER {
        uuid id PK
        uuid user_id FK
        enum status
        timestamp created_at
    }
    ORDER_ITEM {
        uuid id PK
        uuid order_id FK
        uuid product_id FK
        int quantity
    }
    PRODUCT ||--o{ ORDER_ITEM : "ordered in"
    PRODUCT {
        uuid id PK
        string name
        decimal price
    }
```

### State Diagram

```mermaid
stateDiagram-v2
    [*] --> Draft
    Draft --> Pending: Submit
    Pending --> Approved: Approve
    Pending --> Rejected: Reject
    Rejected --> Draft: Revise
    Approved --> Published: Publish
    Published --> [*]
```

## C4 Model Diagrams

### System Context

```plantuml
@startuml C4_Context
!include https://raw.githubusercontent.com/plantuml-stdlib/C4-PlantUML/master/C4_Context.puml

Person(user, "User", "A customer of the system")
System(system, "E-Commerce Platform", "Allows users to browse and purchase products")
System_Ext(payment, "Payment Gateway", "Processes payments")
System_Ext(email, "Email Service", "Sends notifications")

Rel(user, system, "Uses", "HTTPS")
Rel(system, payment, "Processes payments", "HTTPS")
Rel(system, email, "Sends emails", "SMTP")
@enduml
```

### Container Diagram

```plantuml
@startuml C4_Container
!include https://raw.githubusercontent.com/plantuml-stdlib/C4-PlantUML/master/C4_Container.puml

Person(user, "User")

System_Boundary(system, "E-Commerce Platform") {
    Container(spa, "Web Application", "React", "User interface")
    Container(api, "API Gateway", "Node.js", "REST API")
    Container(orders, "Order Service", "Go", "Handles orders")
    Container(products, "Product Service", "Go", "Product catalog")
    ContainerDb(db, "Database", "PostgreSQL", "Stores data")
    ContainerQueue(queue, "Message Queue", "RabbitMQ", "Async messaging")
}

Rel(user, spa, "Uses", "HTTPS")
Rel(spa, api, "Calls", "HTTPS")
Rel(api, orders, "Routes", "gRPC")
Rel(api, products, "Routes", "gRPC")
Rel(orders, db, "Reads/Writes", "SQL")
Rel(orders, queue, "Publishes", "AMQP")
@enduml
```

## D2 Diagrams

### Architecture Diagram

```d2
direction: right

users: Users {
  shape: person
}

frontend: Frontend {
  spa: React SPA
  mobile: Mobile App
}

backend: Backend Services {
  gateway: API Gateway
  auth: Auth Service
  orders: Order Service
  products: Product Service
}

data: Data Layer {
  postgres: PostgreSQL {
    shape: cylinder
  }
  redis: Redis Cache {
    shape: cylinder
  }
  s3: S3 Storage {
    shape: cylinder
  }
}

users -> frontend.spa
users -> frontend.mobile
frontend -> backend.gateway
backend.gateway -> backend.auth
backend.gateway -> backend.orders
backend.gateway -> backend.products
backend.orders -> data.postgres
backend.auth -> data.redis
backend.products -> data.s3
```

## Graphviz DOT

### Dependency Graph

```dot
digraph Dependencies {
    rankdir=LR;
    node [shape=box, style=filled, fillcolor=lightblue];

    "api-gateway" -> "auth-service";
    "api-gateway" -> "user-service";
    "api-gateway" -> "order-service";

    "order-service" -> "user-service";
    "order-service" -> "product-service";
    "order-service" -> "payment-service";

    "user-service" -> "database" [style=dashed];
    "order-service" -> "database" [style=dashed];
    "product-service" -> "database" [style=dashed];

    "database" [shape=cylinder, fillcolor=lightyellow];
}
```

## Configuration

### Mermaid Config

```json
{
  "theme": "neutral",
  "themeVariables": {
    "primaryColor": "#4a90d9",
    "primaryTextColor": "#fff",
    "primaryBorderColor": "#2d5986",
    "lineColor": "#5c6370",
    "secondaryColor": "#f0f0f0",
    "tertiaryColor": "#e8e8e8"
  },
  "flowchart": {
    "curve": "basis",
    "padding": 20
  },
  "sequence": {
    "actorMargin": 50,
    "boxMargin": 10
  }
}
```

## Workflow

1. **Parse source** - Load diagram definition
2. **Validate syntax** - Check for errors
3. **Apply theme** - Configure styling
4. **Render diagram** - Generate output
5. **Optimize** - Compress SVG/PNG
6. **Export** - Save to output path

## Dependencies

```json
{
  "devDependencies": {
    "@mermaid-js/mermaid-cli": "^10.0.0",
    "plantuml": "^0.1.0",
    "d2": "^0.6.0",
    "graphviz": "^0.0.9",
    "svgo": "^3.0.0"
  }
}
```

## CLI Commands

```bash
# Mermaid to SVG
npx mmdc -i diagram.mmd -o diagram.svg

# PlantUML to PNG
java -jar plantuml.jar diagram.puml

# D2 to SVG
d2 diagram.d2 diagram.svg

# Graphviz to PNG
dot -Tpng diagram.dot -o diagram.png

# Optimize SVG
npx svgo diagram.svg -o diagram.min.svg
```

## Best Practices Applied

- Use consistent direction (LR or TD)
- Limit nodes to 15-20 per diagram
- Use meaningful labels
- Group related components
- Include legends for complex diagrams
- Optimize for accessibility (color contrast)
- Version control diagram source

## References

- Mermaid: https://mermaid.js.org/
- PlantUML: https://plantuml.com/
- D2: https://d2lang.com/
- Graphviz: https://graphviz.org/
- C4 Model: https://c4model.com/

## Target Processes

- arch-docs-c4.js
- data-model-docs.js
- api-reference-docs.js
- adr-docs.js

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