Terminators

Terminators mark the start and end points of a flowchart.

Syntax

start:Start|terminator
end:End|terminator

Basic Usage

Every flowchart should have clear start and end points:

@flow
[nodes]
  start:Start|terminator
  process:Do Something
  end:End|terminator

[edges]
  start->process
  process->end

Rendered diagram

Multiple End Points

Some flows have multiple outcomes:

@flow
[nodes]
  start:Start|terminator
  check:Valid?|diamond
  success:Success|terminator
  failure:Failure|terminator

[edges]
  start->check
  check->success:yes
  check->failure:no

Rendered diagram

Named Terminators

Use descriptive labels:

@flow
[nodes]
  start:User Clicks Buy|terminator
  # ... process nodes ...
  success:Order Confirmed|terminator
  cancel:User Cancelled|terminator
  error:Payment Failed|terminator

Rendered diagram

Styling Terminators

Add color for visual clarity:

@flow
[nodes]
  start:Start|terminator|color:blue
  success:Success|terminator|color:green
  error:Error|terminator|color:red

Rendered diagram

Complete Example

@flow
[nodes]
  start:Customer Checkout|terminator
  cart:Review Cart
  empty:Cart Empty?|diamond
  noItems:No Items|terminator
  payment:Enter Payment
  valid:Valid Payment?|diamond
  process:Process Order
  confirm:Send Confirmation
  success:Order Complete|terminator
  retry:Retry Payment
  maxRetry:Max Retries?|diamond
  failed:Payment Failed|terminator

[edges]
  start->cart
  cart->empty
  empty->noItems:yes
  empty->payment:no
  payment->valid
  valid->process:yes
  valid->retry:no
  retry->maxRetry
  maxRetry->payment:no
  maxRetry->failed:yes
  process->confirm
  confirm->success

Rendered diagram

Next Steps

• Examples - Complete flowchart examples