name: likec4-architecture description: Builds and maintains software architecture as code with LikeC4 DSL. Use when requests mention architecture diagrams, C4 context/container/component views, system landscapes, dependency maps, integration maps, or architecture generated from code. Applies to creating new .c4/.likec4 models, updating existing models, validating with LikeC4 CLI, and preparing preview/build/export outputs.

LikeC4 Architecture

Creates and updates LikeC4 architecture models that stay executable and reviewable.

Workflow

1. Scope the model:

• Identify system boundary and audience.
• Start with context and container views unless a different view set is requested.

2. Load DSL guidance before editing:

• If building from scratch or changing notation, read references/likec4-dsl-quickstart.md first.
• If choosing architecture shape, read references/likec4-patterns.md.
• If feature usage is unclear, check references/likec4-capabilities-reference.md and follow official docs links.

3. Locate or bootstrap model files:

• Reuse existing .c4/.likec4 files when present.
• If missing, copy starter from assets/likec4-starter/docs/architecture/model.c4 to project docs/architecture/model.c4.

4. Model structure before visuals:

• Define stable element IDs and meaningful names.
• Add explicit directional relationships with short labels.
• Add technology/description fields where useful.

5. Keep views focused:

• Create small, purposeful views.
• Split crowded diagrams by domain, team, or bounded context.

6. Validate and package:

• Run npx likec4 validate and fix all errors.
• Provide npx likec4 start preview command.
• If requested, provide build/export commands.

Quality Gates

• Avoid unlabeled ambiguous relationships.
• Avoid orphan elements that never appear in views.
• Prefer domain names over implementation-noise names.
• Finish only after successful CLI validation.

Command Set

npx likec4 validate
npx likec4 start
npx likec4 build -o ./dist
npx likec4 export png -o ./assets/architecture

Output Contract

When architecture files change, return:

1. Changed files.
2. Validation result.
3. One-line purpose for each view.
4. Relevant preview/build/export command(s).

References

• DSL quickstart: references/likec4-dsl-quickstart.md
• Architecture patterns: references/likec4-patterns.md
• Capabilities map: references/likec4-capabilities-reference.md
• Checklist: references/likec4-checklist.md
• Examples: references/examples.md
• Starter template: assets/likec4-starter/docs/architecture/model.c4