Structurizr Integration

Structurizr Integration

Availability

Structurizr is a C4-modeling tool and DSL ecosystem. It is generally a companion or alternative modeling environment rather than an EA-native plugin. It can be integrated with EA through documented exchange conventions, generated documentation, images, or custom automation.

Links

• Structurizr: https://structurizr.com/
• Structurizr DSL: https://github.com/structurizr/dsl

Instructions

1. Define the software architecture in Structurizr DSL or the Structurizr workspace model.
2. Create C4 views for system context, containers, components, and deployment where appropriate.
3. Export diagrams/documentation in the format needed by stakeholders.
4. Attach the exported views and DSL source to the corresponding EA package or architecture thought/model area.
5. Establish ownership: either Structurizr is the C4 source of truth and EA references it, or EA is the source and a custom exporter produces Structurizr content.
6. Use stable IDs and mapping tables for systems, containers, components, and relationships.
7. Automate generation in CI/CD if documentation must be refreshed on every release.

Example DSL

workspace "Order Management" "C4 model" {

    model {
        customer = person "Customer"
        orderSystem = softwareSystem "Order Management System"
        payment = softwareSystem "Payment Service"

        customer -> orderSystem "places orders"
        orderSystem -> payment "authorizes payments"

        orderSystem.containers {
            web = container "Web Application" "Order entry UI" "React"
            api = container "Orders API" "Processes orders" "Java/Spring"
            db = containerDb "Orders Database" "Stores orders" "PostgreSQL"
            web -> api "calls"
            api -> db "reads/writes"
        }
    }
    views {
        systemContext orderSystem "order-context" {
            include *
            autolayout lr
        }
        container orderSystem "order-containers" {
            include *
            autolayout lr
        }
    }

}

Advantages

• Native alignment with the C4 method and DSL-based architecture-as-code.
• Clear separation between model and views.
• Suitable for version control and automated publishing.
• Useful when software teams already use Structurizr.

Limitations

• Not an EA-native MDG plugin by itself.
• Requires an integration boundary and ownership decision.
• Imported images do not provide the same semantic behavior as native EA elements.
• A custom synchronization/import tool may be needed for round-tripping.

Best use

Use Structurizr as the C4 source for software teams while EA remains the broader enterprise repository, or generate Structurizr views from EA data for automated C4 publishing.