api-reference

List of 27 Visual Diagram Types in Diagram-Design: Complete Reference

August 14, 2026 cathrynlavery/diagram-design ↗

Diagram-Design supports exactly 27 visual diagram types, each defined in its own reference document under skills/diagram-design/references/.

Diagram-Design by cathrynlavery/diagram-design ships a fixed taxonomy of 27 visual diagram types covering charting, hierarchical structures, process flows, state machines, and specialized layouts. Each type is rendered through a shared core engine with consistent styling rules and export capabilities. This guide lists every supported type with its reference file path and practical usage examples.

The Complete List of 27 Diagram Types

The following table enumerates all visual diagram types supported by Diagram-Design, ordered by their canonical numbering in the source repository:

| # | Diagram Type | Reference File |

Each reference file specifies layout rules, connector primitives, and recommended styling for its diagram type.

Diagram Type Categories

Understanding how these 27 types group by purpose helps select the right visualization for your data.

Classic Charting Types

Bar — Categorical comparison with rectangular bars
Line — Continuous data trends over time or sequences
Scatter — Correlation analysis via x-y coordinate plotting
Radar — Multi-variate data displayed on polar axes

Hierarchical Structure Types

Tree — Parent-child node relationships branching downward
Org-Chart — Organizational reporting structures
Architecture — System component hierarchies and dependencies
Nested — Recursive containment with visual nesting levels

Process and Timeline Types

Flowchart — Algorithmic or business process flows
Gantt — Project schedules with task dependencies and durations
Process — Step-by-step procedural diagrams
High-Level — Simplified executive summaries of complex workflows
Timeline — Chronological event sequences
Swimlane — Multi-actor process flows with responsibility lanes

State-Based Types

State — Finite state machines with transitions
IT State — IT infrastructure state tracking and change management
DP Security Matrix — Data protection security posture visualization
DP Integration — Data protection integration touchpoints
Data Flow — Information movement between system boundaries

Specialized Layout Types

Venn — Set theory overlaps with intersecting circles
Quadrant — Two-axis strategic positioning grids
Pyramid — Hierarchical proportion or priority stacking
Medallion — Central hub with radiating satellite elements
Loop — Cyclical or iterative process visualization
Layers — Stack-based architectural abstractions
Sequence — Time-ordered interactions between actors (UML sequence)

Working with Diagram Types in Practice

Import with Explicit Type Declaration

Override automatic type detection using the --type flag.

diagram-design import-mermaid my-diagram.mmd --type gantt

diagram-design import-drawio my-diagram.drawio --type architecture

Export with Default Type Inference

When no type is specified, Diagram-Design infers from source content:

diagram-design export-diagram --output diagram.html

Key Source Files

File	Purpose
`skills/diagram-design/references/*.md`	Authoritative specifications for all 27 diagram types
`commands/import-mermaid.md`	Mermaid import CLI with `--type` option
`commands/import-drawio.md`	Draw.io import CLI with `--type` option
`commands/export-diagram.md`	Export to HTML/PNG formats
`assets/template-*.html`	Rendering templates (light, dark, full variants)
`scripts/*.py`	Validation scripts enforcing type-specific constraints

Summary

Diagram-Design supports 27 fixed visual diagram types — no dynamic extension mechanism exists
Each type has a dedicated reference file in skills/diagram-design/references/ defining layout rules and styling
Use --type flag with import-mermaid or import-drawio commands to override automatic detection
Types span classic charts, hierarchies, processes, state machines, and specialized layouts
Validation scripts in scripts/*.py enforce edge rules and structural constraints per type

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I specify an invalid diagram type?

Diagram-Design returns an error listing valid types. The CLI validates against the 27-type taxonomy defined in skills/diagram-design/references/ and rejects unrecognized values before processing begins.

Can I create custom diagram types beyond the 27 supported?

No. The taxonomy is fixed in the source code. Each type requires dedicated reference documentation, validation logic in scripts/*.py, and potentially template updates in assets/template-*.html. Extending beyond the 27 types requires repository modification.

How does Diagram-Design automatically detect diagram types?

Detection analyzes source file structure — Mermaid diagram keywords (gantt, flowchart, sequence, etc.) or Draw.io mxGraph cell properties. When ambiguity exists or you need to force a specific rendering interpretation, use the --type flag.

Which diagram types are best for technical architecture documentation?

Architecture, Layers, Data Flow, and IT State types serve infrastructure documentation. DP Security Matrix and DP Integration specialize in data protection compliance visuals. Reference files for these types include connector primitives optimized for system boundary representation.

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