C4 models as code

on YouTube ↗54m

" summary

Argues that C4 should be modeled not hand-drawn, and demonstrates the open-source Structurizr DSL plus a renderer (structurizr-light) that stores a single workspace model and generates many diagrams (context, container, component) with manual or automatic layout. Shows Docker runs, exports to PlantUML/Mermaid/graphviz, implied relationships, style sheets and icons, and per-service views for larger systems. Most teams use only the top two C4 levels; the tooling removes duplicate edits and keeps diagrams consistent.

AI-written summary · about

" chapters (14)

1. 0:00The problem with diagrams
2. 1:34Introduction to C4
3. 5:00Diagrams as maps
4. 6:57System and container levels
5. 10:03The case against drawing tools
6. 14:10Diagrams as code 1.0 vs 2.0
7. 17:18Structurizr DSL introduction
8. 20:26Structurizr tooling demo
9. 28:12Styling and themes
10. 32:27Exporting to external formats
11. 36:09Enterprise-wide modeling
12. 39:36Advanced visualization
13. 43:52Handling large architectures
14. 50:25Alternative modeling options

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