C4 diagram makerfrom plain language, free.
/ Example
(01)Prompt: An online banking system with a web app, mobile app, API and database
C4Container
title Online banking system
Person(customer, "Bank Customer", "Has personal accounts")
System_Boundary(bank, "Online Banking") {
Container(web, "Web App", "React", "Banking in the browser")
Container(api, "API", "Java, Spring Boot", "Accounts, payments and statements")
Container(mobile, "Mobile App", "Swift and Kotlin", "Banking on the phone")
ContainerDb(db, "Database", "PostgreSQL", "Users, accounts and transactions")
ContainerQueue(events, "Events", "Kafka", "Payment and login events")
Container(notifier, "Notifier", "Node.js", "Alerts and statements")
}
System_Ext(core, "Core Banking", "Ledgers and balances")
System_Ext(email, "Email Service", "Sends email")
Rel(customer, web, "Uses", "HTTPS")
Rel(customer, mobile, "Uses")
Rel(web, api, "Calls", "JSON/HTTPS")
Rel(mobile, api, "Calls", "JSON/HTTPS")
Rel(api, db, "Reads and writes", "SQL")
Rel(api, events, "Publishes")
Rel(events, notifier, "Delivers")
Rel(api, core, "Balances and payments")
Rel(notifier, email, "Sends with")
UpdateLayoutConfig($c4ShapeInRow="3", $c4BoundaryInRow="1")
/ Good for
(02)- System context for new team members
- Container views for architecture reviews
- Documenting how services and users connect
(03)
drop something in
1text, notes, whatever
it turns into a diagram
2usually in a few seconds
tweak it if you want
3export it and move on
/ Other diagram types
(04)- FlowchartSign-up, checkout and approval flows
- Sequence DiagramAPI requests across services
- Class DiagramObject-oriented designs and domain models
- State DiagramOrder and ticket lifecycles
- ER DiagramDatabase schema design
- User JourneyOnboarding and first-run experiences
- Gantt ChartProject and release schedules
- Pie ChartBudget and cost breakdowns
- Git GraphExplaining a branching strategy
- Mind MapBrainstorming and planning
- TimelineProduct and company history
- Requirement DiagramTracing requirements to components
- Quadrant ChartEffort and impact prioritisation
- Sankey DiagramBudget and money flows
- XY ChartMonthly sales or sign-ups
- Block DiagramHigh-level system overviews
- Packet DiagramProtocol and file format documentation
- Kanban BoardSprint snapshots in a README or doc
- Architecture DiagramCloud infrastructure overviews
- Radar ChartComparing products or frameworks
- TreemapBudgets broken down by department
- Ishikawa DiagramRoot cause analysis after an incident
- Venn DiagramComparing products or roles
- Tree ViewProject folder layouts in a README