# 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](https://www.eraser.io/examples/serverless-web-app-on-azure)
- [Image recognition app using vector database](https://www.eraser.io/examples/image-recognition-app-with-vector-db)
- [Generative AI Application Builder on AWS](https://www.eraser.io/examples/generative-ai-application-builder)

### 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.