Is there a width limit for the generated diagrams?

The skill enforces a 100-character width limit to ensure diagrams remain readable in standard terminal windows and mobile-friendly git interfaces.

Can I use these diagrams in Markdown files?

Yes, these ASCII diagrams are specifically formatted for code blocks in Markdown, making them ideal for READMEs, GitHub PRs, and project documentation.

Does it support different types of system flows?

Yes, it uses specific notation like '~>' for asynchronous events and '=>' for synchronous calls to clarify communication protocols like HTTP, gRPC, or pub/sub.

Can I represent specific platforms like iOS or AWS?

Yes, the skill supports layering metadata and bracketed labels (e.g., [iOS]) to indicate specific runtime contexts, regions, or device types.

ASCII Architecture Mapping

Name: ASCII Architecture Mapping
Author: tjboudreaux

bytjboudreaux

0•

Learning & Documentation

Generates layered ASCII architecture diagrams to visualize system components and data flows directly in terminals, PRs, and documentation.

This skill empowers Claude to create structured, text-based architecture visualizations using standard ASCII characters. It supports multiple zoom levels—from high-level system contexts to granular component modules—ensuring that complex architectures are understandable without external graphical tools. By implementing standardized layout grids and specific arrow notations for synchronous and asynchronous flows, it allows developers to embed living documentation directly into codebases, pull requests, and Architecture Decision Records (ADRs).

Key Features

010 GitHub stars

02Standardized ASCII syntax for nodes, edges, and directional control flows

03Distinction between synchronous (=>) and asynchronous (~>) interaction types

04Metadata tagging for SLAs, repository links, and platform-specific environments

05Multi-level mapping including Context, Container, and Component diagrams

06Terminal-optimized formatting with a strict 100-character width limit

Use Cases

01Generating quick system overviews for onboarding or terminal-based troubleshooting

02Visualizing complex microservice interactions within Pull Requests or code reviews

03Documenting architectural changes inside Architecture Decision Records (ADRs)

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add tjboudreaux/cc-plugin-text-visualizations tools-visual-ascii-arch

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT

Download Skill