mermaid-diagrams

name

mermaid-diagrams

description

Comprehensive guide for creating software diagrams using Mermaid syntax. Use when users need to create, visualize, or document software through diagrams including class diagrams (domain modeling, object-oriented design), sequence diagrams (application flows, API interactions, code execution), flowcharts (processes, algorithms, user journeys), entity relationship diagrams (database schemas), C4 architecture diagrams (system context, containers, components), state diagrams, git graphs, pie charts, gantt charts, or any other diagram type. Triggers include requests to "diagram", "visualize", "model", "map out", "show the flow", or when explaining system architecture, database design, code structure, or user/application flows.

Mermaid Diagramming

Create professional software diagrams using Mermaid's text-based syntax. Mermaid renders diagrams from simple text definitions, making diagrams version-controllable, easy to update, and maintainable alongside code.

Core Syntax Structure

All Mermaid diagrams follow this pattern:

diagramType
  definition content

Key principles:

• First line declares diagram type (e.g., classDiagram, sequenceDiagram, flowchart)
• Use %% for comments
• Line breaks and indentation improve readability but aren't required
• Unknown words break diagrams; parameters fail silently

Diagram Type Selection Guide

Choose the right diagram type:

1. Class Diagrams - Domain modeling, OOP design, entity relationships

   • Domain-driven design documentation
   • Object-oriented class structures
   • Entity relationships and dependencies

2. Sequence Diagrams - Temporal interactions, message flows

   • API request/response flows
   • User authentication flows
   • System component interactions
   • Method call sequences

3. Flowcharts - Processes, algorithms, decision trees

   • User journeys and workflows
   • Business processes
   • Algorithm logic
   • Deployment pipelines

4. Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERD) - Database schemas

   • Table relationships
   • Data modeling
   • Schema design

5. C4 Diagrams - Software architecture at multiple levels

   • System Context (systems and users)
   • Container (applications, databases, services)
   • Component (internal structure)
   • Code (class/interface level)

6. State Diagrams - State machines, lifecycle states

7. Git Graphs - Version control branching strategies

8. Gantt Charts - Project timelines, scheduling

9. Pie/Bar Charts - Data visualization

Quick Start Examples

Class Diagram (Domain Model)

classDiagram
    Title -- Genre
    Title *-- Season
    Title *-- Review
    User --> Review : creates
    
    class Title {
        +string name
        +int releaseYear
        +play()
    }
    
    class Genre {
        +string name
        +getTopTitles()
    }

Sequence Diagram (API Flow)

sequenceDiagram
    participant User
    participant API
    participant Database
    
    User->>API: POST /login
    API->>Database: Query credentials
    Database-->>API: Return user data
    alt Valid credentials
        API-->>User: 200 OK + JWT token
    else Invalid credentials
        API-->>User: 401 Unauthorized
    end

Flowchart (User Journey)

flowchart TD
    Start([User visits site]) --> Auth{Authenticated?}
    Auth -->|No| Login[Show login page]
    Auth -->|Yes| Dashboard[Show dashboard]
    Login --> Creds[Enter credentials]
    Creds --> Validate{Valid?}
    Validate -->|Yes| Dashboard
    Validate -->|No| Error[Show error]
    Error --> Login

ERD (Database Schema)

erDiagram
    USER ||--o{ ORDER : places
    ORDER ||--|{ LINE_ITEM : contains
    PRODUCT ||--o{ LINE_ITEM : includes
    
    USER {
        int id PK
        string email UK
        string name
        datetime created_at
    }
    
    ORDER {
        int id PK
        int user_id FK
        decimal total
        datetime created_at
    }

Detailed References

For in-depth guidance on specific diagram types, see:

• references/class-diagrams.md - Domain modeling, relationships (association, composition, aggregation, inheritance), multiplicity, methods/properties
• references/sequence-diagrams.md - Actors, participants, messages (sync/async), activations, loops, alt/opt/par blocks, notes
• references/flowcharts.md - Node shapes, connections, decision logic, subgraphs, styling
• references/erd-diagrams.md - Entities, relationships, cardinality, keys, attributes
• references/c4-diagrams.md - System context, container, component diagrams, boundaries
• references/advanced-features.md - Themes, styling, configuration, layout options

Important Notes

• Avoid {} in comments — they break diagrams. Use proper escape sequences for special characters.
• Unknown words and misspellings break diagrams silently; parameters fail silently.
• Use %% for comments.
• For theming, styling, and layout configuration, see references/advanced-features.md.
• Export with CLI: npm install -g @mermaid-js/mermaid-cli then mmdc -i input.mmd -o output.png