DiagramGPT — Eraser

Start from a type

• Architecture
• Flowchart
• Business Process
• Data Flow
• Database Schema

How it works

How to generate a system architecture diagram

Tips on making a System Architecture Diagram

• Instead of writing from scratch, paste in snippets from docs, README files, Docker Compose, Kubernetes manifests, or Terraform code.
• Use an LLM to stress test your design – ask it to point out missing components, potential bottlenecks, or failure points based on your initial prompt.
• Call out grouping or layout preferences in your prompt: e.g. "Put inference and monitoring services in separate zones."
• For complex systems, split into multiple diagrams – e.g. training pipeline vs. serving infrastructure.

Example diagrams

• Serverless web app on Azure
• Image recognition app using vector database
• Generative AI Application Builder on AWS

Write a prompt describing the system architecture

A one-liner can work, but a clearer diagram usually comes from a 3–5 sentence prompt. Use this approach:

• Start by listing the main components – services, data stores, APIs, ML models, pipelines – and group them into layers (e.g. frontend, backend, data, infrastructure).
• Then describe how these components interact. Explain the runtime flows, such as request handling, background processing, or data movement.
• Mention any deployment context – e.g. containerized services, cloud regions, or availability zones – if relevant to the structure.

Make a diagram with the completed prompt

Use your AI diagram tool to create the diagram based on your description.

Refine the diagram with follow-up prompts

For example: “Group all data components into a ‘Data Layer’” or “Add an API Gateway in front of the backend services.”

Tweak the layout using GUI controls

Adjust spacing, reroute lines, or rename components for clarity.

Generate any type of diagram with AI

Frequently asked questions

• Can I edit the generated system architecture diagram?
  Yes. Click “Save and Edit Diagram” to open it in Eraser, where you can edit using diagram-as-code syntax or the visual GUI.

• What can I use as a prompt?
  Plain English, a nested list, or a code snippet. You can also paste excerpts from requirements docs, transcripts, or knowledge-base articles.

• Can I use this from an AI agent?
  Yes. Eraser runs an MCP server, so any MCP-compatible client – Claude, Cursor, or ChatGPT – can create and edit these diagrams directly.

• Who created this tool?
  The system architecture diagram maker was created by the team at Eraser, leveraging frontier AI models.

• Is it free?
  Generating a system architecture diagram is free and requires no sign-up. Sign in to a free Eraser account to edit, save, and export your diagrams.

• Is there an API?
  Yes, you can read our API documentation. The API is only available to Starter, Business, and Enterprise Plan teams.

• Is there an MCP server?
  Yes. The Eraser MCP server lets an agent create, search, read, update, and export diagrams from clients like Claude, Cursor, VS Code, and ChatGPT.

• Do you use my data to train AI models?
  No. Neither Eraser nor our model providers use your data to train AI models.

• How do I get started?
  Describe what you need in the prompt box above and generate. You can keep refining the result with follow-up prompts.