Learn Mermaid

Learn how to use Mermaid.js to create data-driven diagrams.

Mermaid lets you create diagrams and visualizations using text and code. ~ https://mermaid-js.github.io

Why?

What?

GitHub recently included Mermaid support in their Makdown parser: https://github.blog/2022-02-14-include-diagrams-markdown-files-mermaid

This means we can now include basic code/data-driven diagrams as living documentation in our projects!

Who?

Where?

Mermaid diagrams can be used

When?

Now!

How?

The easiest way to test out mermaid and learn is using the Live Editor: https://mermaid.live

Overview For Beginners

The best place for an intro is in the offical docs: Overview for beginners

IDE Integration/Support

Sadly, at the time of writing, VSCode/VSCodium does not have built-in support for rendering Mermaid.js diagrams. So when you preview a Markdown (.md) file

Examples

Flow Diagram

graph TD
    A[Christmas] -->|Get money| B(Go shopping)
    B --> C{fa:fa-car Decisions}
    C -->|One| D[fa:fa-laptop Laptop]
    C -->|Two| E[fa:fa-mobile iPhone]
    C -->|Three| F[fa:fa-plane Drone]
    F -->|Repeat| A

graph TD
    A[Christmas] -->|Get money| B(Go shopping)
    B --> C{fa:fa-car Decisions}
    C -->|One| D[fa:fa-laptop Laptop]
    C -->|Two| E[fa:fa-mobile iPhone]
    C -->|Three| F[fa:fa-plane Drone]
    F -->|Repeat| A

Sequence Diagram

sequenceDiagram
    Alice->>John: Hello John, how are you?
    John-->>Alice: Great!
    Alice-)John: See you later!

sequenceDiagram
    Alice->>John: Hello John, how are you?
    John-->>Alice: Great!
    Alice-)John: See you later!

Relevant Reading

• Awesome diagrams using Mermaid.js: https://dev.to/erfankashani/awesome-diagrams-using-mermaidjs-3am0