C4 diagram Viewer and Editor

Autores
  • C4 diagram Viewer and Editor
Série: UML and Software Architecture
Episódios: (2/7)

C4 Diagram Viewer and Editor: MassiveDiag Playground

Introducing C4 Model Diagramming in MassiveDiag

MassiveDiag Playground offers a powerful C4 diagram viewer and editor that transforms text-based diagram code into professional system architecture visualizations in real-time. This tool excels as a C4 model live editor, allowing you to instantly see and refine your software architecture diagrams as you develop them.

Whether you need:

  • C4 diagram code to SVG conversion for web documentation,
  • C4 diagram code to Word document export for technical specifications,
  • C4 model code to PNG for presentations,
  • C4 model to PDF for formal documentation,

MassiveDiag Playground delivers with a streamlined workflow.

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Try MassiveDiag's C4 Diagram Editor Now →

What is the C4 Model?

The C4 model is a layered approach for visualizing software architecture created by Simon Brown. It provides a standardized way to document software systems through four levels of diagrams:

  1. Context diagrams - The big picture showing system interactions
  2. Container diagrams - The high-level technology choices
  3. Component diagrams - The logical components within containers
  4. Code diagrams - Detailed implementation (optional)

MassiveDiag serves as a powerful C4 model code diagram generator, making architecture diagrams accessible to developers and technical architects.

Getting Started with C4 Diagram Code

Context Diagram Example

@startuml
!include https://raw.githubusercontent.com/plantuml-stdlib/C4-PlantUML/master/C4_Context.puml

title System Context diagram for Internet Banking System

Person(customer, "Banking Customer", "A customer of the bank with personal bank accounts.")
System(banking_system, "Internet Banking System", "Allows customers to view information about their bank accounts, and make payments.")
System_Ext(mail_system, "E-mail system", "The internal Microsoft Exchange e-mail system.")
System_Ext(mainframe, "Mainframe Banking System", "Stores all of the core banking information about customers, accounts, transactions, etc.")

Rel(customer, banking_system, "Uses")
Rel(banking_system, mail_system, "Sends e-mail using")
Rel(banking_system, mainframe, "Uses")
@enduml

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Container Diagram Example

@startuml
!include https://raw.githubusercontent.com/plantuml-stdlib/C4-PlantUML/master/C4_Container.puml

title Container diagram for Internet Banking System

Person(customer, "Banking Customer", "A customer of the bank with personal bank accounts.")

System_Boundary(c1, "Internet Banking System") {
    Container(web_app, "Web Application", "Java and Spring MVC", "Delivers the static content and the Internet banking SPA.")
    Container(spa, "Single-Page App", "JavaScript and Angular", "Provides all of the Internet banking functionality to customers.")
    Container(mobile_app, "Mobile App", "Xamarin", "Provides a limited subset of the Internet banking functionality to customers.")
    Container(api, "API Application", "Java and Spring MVC", "Provides Internet banking functionality via a JSON/HTTPS API.")
    Container(database, "Database", "Oracle Database Schema", "Stores user registration information, hashed authentication credentials, access logs, etc.")
}

System_Ext(mainframe, "Mainframe Banking System", "Stores all of the core banking information about customers, accounts, transactions, etc.")
System_Ext(email, "E-mail System", "The internal Microsoft Exchange e-mail system.")

Rel(customer, web_app, "Uses", "HTTPS")
Rel(customer, spa, "Uses", "HTTPS")
Rel(customer, mobile_app, "Uses")
Rel(web_app, spa, "Delivers to the customer's web browser")
Rel(spa, api, "Makes API calls to", "JSON/HTTPS")
Rel(mobile_app, api, "Makes API calls to", "JSON/HTTPS")
Rel(api, database, "Reads from and writes to", "JDBC")
Rel(api, mainframe, "Makes API calls to", "XML/HTTPS")
Rel(api, email, "Sends e-mail using")
@enduml

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How to Use MassiveDiag as Your C4 Diagram Viewer

1. Generate or Prepare Your C4 Model Code

You can write your own C4 model code or use AI tools like ChatGPT to generate basic C4 diagram structures.


@startuml Basic Sample
!include https://raw.githubusercontent.com/plantuml-stdlib/C4-PlantUML/master/C4_Container.puml

Person(admin, "Administrator", $sprite="person2", $link="https://github.com/plantuml-stdlib/C4-PlantUML/blob/master/LayoutOptions.md#hide_person_sprite-or-show_person_spritesprite")
System_Boundary(c1, "Sample System", $link="https://github.com/plantuml-stdlib/C4-PlantUML") {
    Container(web_app, "Web Application", "C#, ASP.NET Core 2.1 MVC", $descr="Allows users to compare multiple Twitter timelines", $link="https://github.com/plantuml-stdlib/C4-PlantUML/blob/master/LayoutOptions.md")
}
System(twitter, "Twitter", $link="https://github.com/plantuml-stdlib/C4-PlantUML")

Rel(admin, web_app, "Uses", "HTTPS", $link="https://plantuml.com/link")
Rel(web_app, twitter, "Gets tweets from", "HTTPS", $link="https://plantuml.com/link")
@enduml

2. Paste Code in MassiveDiag Playground

Navigate to the MassiveDiag Playground - no installation or signup required. Insert or upload your code.

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3. Choose C4 as Diagram Type

The playground auto-detects your diagram type, but you can manually select "C4 PlantUML" if needed.

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4. Create Your Diagram

Click "Create Diagram" to transform your code into a visual C4 diagram.

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5. Edit and Refine

Use the dual-pane interface to:

  • Edit the code and see real-time updates
  • Make visual adjustments in the live SVG editor

6. Export in Your Preferred Format

Choose from multiple export options:

  • SVG for web use
  • PNG for presentations
  • PDF for documentation
  • Word document for specifications
  • React JSX for interactive web components

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Create Your First C4 Diagram Now →

Practical Use Cases for C4 Diagrams

Software Architecture Documentation

Use C4 diagrams to document your system design at different levels:

  • Context diagrams for stakeholders
  • Container diagrams for development teams
  • Component diagrams for implementation planning

Technical Specifications

Generate architecture diagrams for:

  • System proposal documents
  • Architecture Decision Records (ADRs)
  • Technical requirement specifications

Onboarding and Knowledge Transfer

Create visual system overviews to help new team members understand:

  • System boundaries and interactions
  • Technology stack visualization
  • Component responsibilities and relationships

FAQs About C4 Diagrams and MassiveDiag

What makes C4 different from other diagramming approaches?

C4 provides a standardized, hierarchical approach to software architecture documentation.

Do I need coding experience to use the C4 diagram viewer?

Basic familiarity with code syntax is helpful but not required.

Can I collaborate with others on my C4 diagrams?

Yes, you can share C4 diagram code or export diagrams for collaboration and review.

How do I include C4 diagrams in my documentation?

  • Export SVG/PNG for web and presentations
  • Export PDF/Word for formal documentation

Create Professional C4 Diagrams Now →

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