Software architecture models as code

Structurizr builds upon "diagrams as code", allowing you to create multiple software architecture diagrams from a single model. There are a number of tools for creating Structurizr compatible workspaces, with the Structurizr DSL being the recommended option for most teams. This Structurizr DSL example creates two diagrams, based upon a single set of elements and relationships.

workspace "Name" "Description"

    !identifiers hierarchical

    model {
        u = person "User"
        ss = softwareSystem "Software System" {
            wa = container "Web Application"
            db = container "Database Schema" {
                tags "Database"
            }
        }

        u -> ss "Uses"
        u -> ss.wa "Uses"
        ss.wa -> ss.db "Reads from and writes to"
    }

    views {
        systemContext ss "Diagram1" {
            include *
            autolayout lr
        }

        container ss "Diagram2" {
            include *
            autolayout lr
        }

        // styling...
    }

}

Structurizr DSL tutorial | Try it

Designed for the C4 model

Structurizr is specifically designed to support the C4 model for visualising software architecture, by its creator Simon Brown. Diagrams are interactive (e.g. zoom in/out), animatable, embeddable, and include an automatically generated diagram key/legend.

Diagram your cloud architecture

Use themes to help document your cloud architecture; with prebuilt themes for Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and Kubernetes.

Alternative visualisations

Explore your software architecture with alternative visualisations, including tree views and interactive force-directed graphs.

Documentation

Publish supplementary documentation (e.g. a "software guidebook", arc42, etc) using Markdown or AsciiDoc.

Architecture decision records (ADRs)

Publish architecture decision records (ADRs) that capture your significant design decisions.