configure-project-includes

name	configure-project-includes
description	Manage likec4.config.json includes and image aliases. Ensures relative paths and preserves existing configuration. Support multi-file organization (system-model + system-views + deployment + operations).

Manage LikeC4 Project Includes

Use this skill when configuring project dependencies in likec4.config.json.

Single vs. Multi-File Organization

Small Projects (Single File)

For simple systems, one model file works:

project/
  system.c4              # All elements, relationships, and views

Large Projects (Multi-File Recommended)

For complex systems, split into focused files:

project/
  system-model.c4        # ← Elements and relationships only
  system-views.c4        # ← Architectural views (C1, C2, C3)
  system-sequences.c4    # ← Use case workflows (dynamic views)
  deployment.c4          # ← Deployment definition (infrastructure)
  deployment-views.c4    # ← Deployment visualizations
  operations.c4          # ← Operations infrastructure (monitoring, backup)
  operations-views.c4    # ← Operations visualizations

Benefits:

• Collaboration: Multiple developers edit different files without conflicts
• Maintainability: 150-200 line files are easier to navigate than 2000-line files
• Clarity: File names indicate content type and purpose
• Scaling: Easy to add new model files as system grows

File Organization Convention

• Model files: Define structure → system-model.c4, deployment.c4, operations.c4
• View files: Define visualizations → system-views.c4, deployment-views.c4, operations-views.c4
• Sequences: Temporal flows → system-sequences.c4 (separate from system-views)
• Config: Project settings → likec4.config.json

Rules

1. Relative paths: Use ../shared not absolute paths
2. Preserve defaults: Keep existing includes when adding new ones
3. Image aliases: Maintain "@": "../shared/images" for icon consistency
4. Multiple specs: Append to paths array, don't replace

Example

{
  "name": "my-project",
  "title": "My Project",
  "include": {
    "paths": ["../shared", "../common"]
  },
  "imageAliases": {
    "@": "../shared/images"
  }
}