Generate codebase architecture diagrams with Mermaid
Learn how to use Zencoder to create detailed Mermaid diagrams that visualize your repository structure, dependencies, and relationships
Who Should Use This Tutorial?
This tutorial is perfect for developers and technical professionals who need to understand, document, or communicate codebase architecture:
System Architects
Create comprehensive architecture overviews for design reviews and technical documentation
Tech Leads & Senior Developers
Generate visual documentation for team onboarding and knowledge sharing
New Team Members
Quickly understand complex codebases through visual representation
Documentation Maintainers
Keep architecture diagrams up-to-date with automated generation
Why Zencoder Excels at This Task
When you ask Zencoder to create a diagram of your codebase, it’s not working from generic templates or making educated guesses. Thanks to Repo Grokking™, Zencoder has already analyzed your entire repository and understands how everything fits together. It knows your file structure, recognizes your naming conventions, maps out dependencies between components, and understands how different parts of your code interact with each other.
This means when you request a Mermaid diagram, Zencoder can generate something that actually reflects your specific project rather than a generic example. The diagrams it creates capture the real relationships in your codebase because it genuinely understands your repository’s architecture and patterns.
What You Can Generate
While this tutorial focuses on repository architecture diagrams, you can use similar techniques to create various types of visual documentation:
- Repository architecture with complete project structure and file relationships
- Component diagrams with detailed interactions between application parts
- Data flow diagrams illustrating information movement within the system
- API interaction maps showing service-to-service communication patterns
- Dependency graphs mapping library and module dependencies
- Database schema visualizations depicting table relationships and data structure
Prerequisites
Before starting, make sure you have:
- Zencoder installed in your IDE (VS Code, JetBrains, or Android Studio) with the coding agent enabled
- Basic familiarity with Mermaid syntax (we’ll cover the essentials, but Mermaid’s official documentation is great for deeper learning)
- A visualization tool - many options available including IDE plugins, online editors, or standalone applications
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Prepare Your Request
The key to getting excellent diagrams is crafting a comprehensive prompt that gives Zencoder clear direction on what you want to visualize.
Define your scope
Decide what level of detail you need:
- High-level overview showing main directories and key relationships
- Detailed analysis covering individual files, dependencies, and cross-references
- Specific subsystem with a focus on particular parts of your codebase
Choose your diagram type
Specify the type of visualization you want:
- Repository structure and file organization
- Component relationships and dependencies
- Data flow and process interactions
- Navigation and user journey flows
Set complexity expectations
Be clear about the level of detail:
- Include/exclude certain file types or directories
- Focus on specific relationships or patterns
- Request grouping or categorization strategies
Step 2: Craft Your Prompt
Here’s a sample prompt that generated a comprehensive repository architecture diagram:
Step 3: Refine Your Request
Based on the initial output, you can refine your request:
For more detail:
For less complexity:
For different perspectives:
Step 4: Validate and Visualize
Once you have your Mermaid code:
- Copy the Mermaid syntax from Zencoder’s response
- Test it in a Mermaid validator to ensure syntax correctness
- Visualize using your preferred tool:
- IDE plugins (VS Code Mermaid Preview, JetBrains Mermaid plugin)
- Online editors (Mermaid Live Editor, GitHub markdown preview)
- Documentation platforms (GitLab, Notion, Confluence with Mermaid support)
- Standalone applications or CLI tools
Best Practices for Quality Diagrams
Effective Prompting Strategies
Be Specific About Scope
Instead of “show me my code structure,” try:
Request Validation
Always ask for perfectly valid Mermaid syntax:
Specify Grouping Logic
Ask for logical grouping:
Include Context Requirements
Request explanations:
Managing Complexity
Large codebases can produce overwhelming diagrams. Here’s how to manage complexity:
Break it down:
- Start with high-level architecture, then drill into specific areas
- Focus on one subsystem or module at a time
- Create multiple diagrams for different perspectives
Use hierarchical approaches:
- Request main components first, then detailed breakdowns
- Ask for “layered” diagrams showing different levels of abstraction
- Create overview + detail diagram pairs
Filter strategically:
- Exclude test files, build artifacts, or configuration if not relevant
- Focus on business logic or core functionality
- Filter by file types or directory patterns
Common Issues and Solutions
Diagram is too complex to read
Diagram is too complex to read
Solution: Ask Zencoder to simplify by grouping related components or focusing on specific subsystems. Try:
Mermaid syntax errors in visualization tools
Mermaid syntax errors in visualization tools
Solution: Request validation in your prompt:
Also check for special characters in node names.
Missing important relationships
Missing important relationships
Solution: Be more specific about what relationships to include:
Diagram doesn't match my mental model
Diagram doesn't match my mental model
Solution: Provide more context about your architecture or ask for specific perspectives:
Visualization Options
Since Mermaid is a widely-supported standard format, you have many options for viewing your generated diagrams:
- IDE plugins - Most popular editors have Mermaid extensions
- Online editors - Check the official Mermaid website for web-based tools
- Documentation platforms - GitHub, GitLab, Notion, and others support Mermaid natively
- Standalone applications - Various third-party desktop and CLI tools are available
You likely already have access to Mermaid visualization through tools you’re currently using. If not, the official Mermaid documentation provides a comprehensive list of supported platforms and integrations.
Advanced Tips
Iterative Refinement
Don’t expect perfect results on the first try. Use an iterative approach:
- Start with a broad request
- Analyze the output for missing or excessive detail
- Refine your prompt based on what you learned
- Generate updated versions until you get the right level of detail
Multiple Perspectives
Consider generating several diagrams of the same codebase:
- Structural: How files and directories are organized
- Functional: How components work together
- Data-focused: How information flows through the system
- User-centered: How users interact with different parts
Documentation Integration
Use these diagrams as living documentation:
- Include generation prompts in your documentation
- Set up processes to regenerate diagrams when architecture changes
- Create templates for common diagram types in your organization
Remember that Zencoder’s Repo Grokking™ technology gives it an exceptional understanding of your codebase. The more relevant context you provide in your prompts, the more detailed and accurate your diagrams will be!
Next Steps
Once you’ve mastered basic repository diagrams, try experimenting with:
- Component interaction diagrams for specific features
- API flow diagrams for service architectures
- Database relationship diagrams for data-heavy applications
- User journey diagrams for frontend applications
The same prompting principles apply - be specific, request validation, and iterate based on results.
Take It Further: Automate with Custom Zen Agents
Now that you’ve mastered the art of prompting for architecture diagrams, why not automate the process? Instead of crafting the same types of prompts repeatedly, you can create a custom Zen Agent that specializes in generating architecture diagrams tailored to your specific needs and coding standards.
Imagine having a dedicated agent that automatically knows your preferred diagram complexity, your project’s architectural patterns, and your team’s documentation requirements. With custom AI Agents, you can build an intelligent assistant that handles this entire workflow - from analyzing your codebase to generating perfectly formatted Mermaid diagrams - without you having to remember the optimal prompting strategies each time.
Happy diagramming! 🎨