tech-diagram

name	tech-diagram
description	Generate technical architecture diagrams, pipeline flows, layer/stack diagrams, and system illustrations as standalone HTML files. Uses a dark-mode design system with embedded CSS and inline SVG. Use when the user needs architecture diagrams, system illustrations, flow charts, or technical visualizations.
license	MIT
origin	custom
author	Rebecca Rae Barton
author_url	https://github.com/thatrebeccarae
metadata	{"version":"1.0.0","category":"creative","domain":"design","updated":"2026-03-13T00:00:00.000Z","tested":"2026-03-17T00:00:00.000Z","tested_with":"Claude Code v2.1"}

Technical Diagram Generator

Generate technical architecture diagrams and system illustrations as standalone HTML files with embedded CSS + inline SVG. No external dependencies.

Install

git clone https://github.com/thatrebeccarae/claude-marketing.git && cp -r claude-marketing/skills/tech-diagram ~/.claude/skills/

Core Capabilities

• Pipeline flow diagrams (data pipelines, CI/CD, ETL)
• Layer/stack diagrams (tech stack, OSI model, infrastructure)
• Component diagrams (microservices, system architecture)
• Before/after split comparisons
• Timeline diagrams (roadmaps, migration phases)
• Metric callout rows (KPI summaries)

Design System

Color Tokens

:root {
  /* Dark mode (default canvas) */
  --bg-deep: #0d1117;
  --bg-surface: #161b22;
  --bg-elevated: #21262d;
  --border-subtle: rgba(240, 246, 252, 0.1);
  --text-bright: #f0f6fc;
  --text-secondary: #8b949e;
  --text-muted: #6e7681;

  /* Accent palette */
  --accent-blue: #58a6ff;
  --accent-green: #3fb950;
  --accent-purple: #bc8cff;
  --accent-orange: #d29922;
  --accent-red: #f85149;
  --accent-cyan: #39d2c0;
  --accent-pink: #f778ba;

  /* Light mode (optional, for embedded diagrams) */
  --bg-light: #ffffff;
  --bg-light-surface: #f6f8fa;
  --text-light-primary: #1f2328;
  --text-light-secondary: #656d76;
}

Color Rules

• Dark mode is default for all diagrams
• Each pipeline stage or layer gets a distinct accent color
• Use --text-secondary for labels and annotations
• Use --border-subtle for connecting lines and borders
• Semantic colors: green = healthy/success, red = error/alert, orange = warning

Typography

Role	Font	Weight	Size
Diagram title	system-ui	600	28-32px
Section/stage label	system-ui	600	16-18px
Description text	system-ui	400	13-14px
Annotation	monospace	400	12px
Metric value	monospace	700	36-48px

Canvas

Width:  1200px (default, responsive down to 800px)
Height: auto (content-driven)
Padding: 48px

Component Library

Pipeline Flow

Horizontal or vertical sequence of stages with connecting arrows. Each stage has an icon area, label, and description.

Layer/Stack Diagram

Vertical stack of labeled layers with optional descriptions. Top = highest abstraction, bottom = lowest.

Component Diagram

Grid or freeform layout of service boxes with connection lines. Each component shows name, tech, and status.

Before/After Split

Side-by-side comparison with a vertical divider. Left = before state, right = after state.

Timeline

Horizontal or vertical sequence of milestones with dates, descriptions, and status indicators.

Metric Callout Row

Horizontal row of KPI cards with large numbers, labels, and optional trend indicators.

Key Principles

1. One concept per diagram. If it needs two diagrams, make two files.
2. Labels on everything. Every box, arrow, and region should be labeled.
3. Consistent spacing. Use CSS grid or flexbox, not absolute positioning.
4. No external deps. Everything inline — CSS in <style>, icons as inline SVG.
5. Print-friendly. Include @media print with light background override.

Anti-Patterns

• No raster images (PNG/JPG) — use inline SVG for all icons
• No external CSS/JS — everything embedded
• No gradients as primary fill — use flat colors with subtle borders
• No more than 8 items in a single row — wrap or use grid
• No decorative elements that do not convey information

File Conventions

• Filename: {project}-{diagram-type}.html (e.g., pipeline-architecture.html)
• Single file: All CSS inline in <style>, all SVG inline
• Responsive: Works at 800-1400px width range

For complete HTML/CSS patterns and full examples, see REFERENCE.md.