Visualising software architecture with the C4 model
summary
Argues most architecture diagrams are useless boxes and lines and proposes the C4 approach: four concrete levels — C4: context containers components code — mapping diagrams to system, deployable apps/datastores, component structure and (rarely) code. Recommends titles, short responsibility text in boxes, directional arrows and a legend; usually skip level 4 and generate it from code. Advises against general tools and suggests avoid Visio/OmniGraffle/lucidchart in favour of PlantUML C4 macros or the C4-specific tooling the author maintains.
AI-written summary · about
chapters (15)
- 0:00Introduction
- 0:17Who uses UML
- 5:15Why use UML
- 9:35C4 model
- 11:30Level 1 system context
- 13:48Level 2 container diagram
- 17:00Level 3 component diagram
- 20:19Notation tips
- 21:20Visual consistency
- 28:23Key Legend
- 29:57Use Shapes and Colour
- 31:08Use Icons
- 32:09Make diagrams stand on their own
- 32:59Tell stories
- 33:44Recommended tooling
related talks
48mVisualising software architecture with the C4 model
42mThe C4 model for visualising software architecture
40mThe C4 Model — A Way to Clear Architecture
51mThe C4 model: misconceptions, misuses and mistakes
15mC4 Model, the Solution to Standardize My Architecture Diagrams?
41mThe C4 Model – Misconceptions, Misuses & Mistakes
42mC4 — A Lightweight Approach to Documenting Architecture
30m5 Things Every Developer Should Know about Software Architecture