Introduction

TDL is a modern, text-based language for defining software architecture diagrams. It is optimized for:

1. LLM Generation: High token efficiency means faster and cheaper generation by AI agents

2. Human Readability: Clean, indentation-based syntax inspired by Python and YAML

3. Professional Output: Renders into beautiful, presentation-ready diagrams

Example

@arch Microservices Architecture

[nodes]
  gateway:API Gateway|icon:aws-api-gateway
  auth:Auth Service|icon:auth0
  db:User Database|cyl|icon:postgresql

[edges]
  gateway->auth:validates
  auth->db:queries

[groups]
  backend:Backend Services
    auth
    db

Documentation

• Specification: The formal TDL language standard

• Getting Started: Write your first TDL diagram

• Syntax Reference: Complete syntax guide

• Token Efficiency: How TDL compares to other formats

Implementations

• Architoon - VS Code extension with live preview and export

For LLM Developers

TDL is designed to be generated by Large Language Models. See the SKILL.md file for a self-documenting prompt that teaches LLMs how to generate valid TDL.