Diagram as Code - Decoding Architectural Diagrams
summary
Argues that moving from static PNGs to code-driven models fixes stale, unversioned diagrams that often sit unchanged for years and frustrate teams; shows Diagram-as-Code 1.0 (PlantUML, Mermaid, Graphviz) gives text-based images with git + CI benefits, while Diagram-as-Code 2.0 plus the C4 model and Structurizr creates a single source of truth workspace that generates multi‑view, actionable architecture artifacts; prescribes minimal, meaningful, consistent diagrams, demonstrates CI automation and even image→PlantUML via Gemini LLM.
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chapters (15)
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:02Why diagrams matter
- 3:08Human brains vs text
- 4:35Complexity challenges
- 6:41Minimal diagramming mantra
- 9:32Manual diagramming pain
- 12:44Diagram as Code 1.0
- 16:56Limitations of 1.0 tools
- 18:03Evolution to 2.0
- 19:51Key 2.0 features
- 21:36C4 model intro
- 23:04C4 model levels
- 26:18Tool comparison
- 28:54Structurizer example
- 30:20Q&A
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