Diagram AtlasBrowse 28 entries ↗

01 VISUAL KNOWLEDGE FOR HUMANS + AGENTS

Choose the right diagram.
Then draw it well.

A field guide to visual explanation: definitions, selection rules, semantic grammar, editorial specimens, and machine-readable contracts.

28complete entries
7knowledge families
1shared schema
02

EDITORIAL SPECIMENS

source-faithful · responsive
LIVE SPECIMENArchitecture diagram · minimal light

FIG. 01See components, boundaries, and the main path.

01Selection

Start from the reader's question, not a favorite shape.

02Semantics

Every line, container, and accent has a declared meaning.

03Validation

The same rules serve the article, agent skill, and checker.

03 THE ENCYCLOPEDIA

Not a gallery.
A working body of knowledge.

Every entry includes a definition, selection guidance, visual grammar, semantic rules, reading questions, related forms, a live specimen, and a machine contract.

28 of 28 entries
SoftwareENTRY · COMPLETE

Sequence diagram

An interaction model where actors sit across the top, time moves downward, and horizontal messages explain a scenario.

LIVE SPECIMENSequence diagram · minimal light
USE WHEN

Documenting API calls, protocols, authentication, or request/response behavior.

AVOID WHEN

The goal is a static component inventory.

VISUAL GRAMMAR
01actors02lifelines03messages04activation bars05fragments
SEMANTIC RULES
  1. Time always moves downward.
  2. Calls are solid and returns dashed.
  3. Use ALT, OPT, or LOOP frames for branches.
  4. Limit the default view to five actors and twelve messages.
QUESTIONS IT ANSWERS
  • Who calls whom?
  • In what order?
  • What happens on failure?
MACHINE CONTRACT
id: sequence
family: software
reading_task: Follow messages between actors over time.
grammar:
  - actors
  - lifelines
  - messages
  - activation_bars
  - fragments
checks:
  - time_always_moves_downward
  - calls_are_solid_and_returns_dashed
  - use_alt_opt_or_loop_frames_for_branches
  - limit_the_default_view_to_five_actors_and_twelve_messages
RELATED ENTRIES

04 ONE KNOWLEDGE MODEL

Write the article once.
Give agents the rules.

The encyclopedia is now backed by structured entries rather than presentation copy. Each definition, rule, relationship, and specimen reference can be exported into an agent skill or validator.

01Human articledefinition · use · avoid
→
02Canonical entrygrammar · rules · relations
→
03Agent contractinputs · checks · output