The Basics

Structurizr is a diagram generation tool created by Simon Brown, the creator of the C4 Model. The tool’s primary focus is the rapid generation of several diagrams with the same components. I think Simon was tired of diagramming tools that make you reinvent the wheel. I share the sentiment and believe that most diagram tools don’t facilitate reuse.

It’s free for most use cases.

Primary Use Cases

  • Creation of architecture diagrams
  • Capture architecture decisions
  • Diagram review
  • Saving time!

Diagrams

Building diagrams can be very tedious, and Structrizr addresses this tedium. A typical workflow in Structurizr looks like this.

  1. Add diagram elements
  2. Create relationships
  3. Layout your diagram
  4. Download your diagrams

The CLI

Edit diagrams using the Structurizr command-line interface. You can follow these steps to edit your workspace if you’re on macOS.

# Install docker or some other docker-like app

wget -P /tmp https://raw.githubusercontent.com/structurizr/cli/master/examples/getting-started/workspace.dsl
docker pull structurizr/lite
docker run -it --rm -p 8080:8080 -v /tmp:/usr/local/structurizr structurizr/lite
open http://localhost:8080/ # Start editing!

# Update /tmp with your preferred directory

Structurize Your Workspace

I use Structurizr Lite to create diagrams with code. I’ve found a way to reuse models using this method. Reusing models keeps the management of links to component details simple.

workspace "Reuse Models" "Demonstrate Model Reuse" {

    model {
        customer = person "Customer" "Customer" "Customer"
        website = softwareSystem "Website" "Website" "Website"

        system1 = softwareSystem "system1" "" "" {
            rel1 = customer -> website "Relationship scoped to system1"
        }


        system2 = softwareSystem "system2" "" ""  {
            rel2 = website -> customer "Relationship scoped to system2"
        }
    }

    views {
        systemContext system1 {
            include customer
            include website
            exclude rel2
            autoLayout
        }

        systemContext system2 {
            include customer
            include website
            exclude rel1
            autoLayout

    }
}

Getting Help

I’ve found that learning how to use Structrizr will take time. I’ve barely scratched the surface of what it can do, but luckily you can get help.

I like to learn with examples. I found the Spring PetClinic example to be the best way to learn how to use it. Try exporting the workspace from the workspace menu.

Structurizr export workspace

Then import the workspace so you can explore how Structurizr created those diagrams.

Structurizr import workspace

Learn Structurizr - Beyond the Basics

References