Self-hosted Structurizr combined with an MCP Server integration for Claude Desktop. Describe your software architecture in plain language — Claude generates valid C4 Model diagrams directly in Structurizr.
This setup connects Claude Desktop to a self-hosted Structurizr instance via the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Claude can read, validate, and generate Structurizr DSL workspaces — and render them as C4 diagrams without manual editing.
Typical flow:
Describe your system in plain language ─or─ sketch it by hand
↓
Claude reads the text or image and generates a validated Structurizr DSL workspace
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Paste the DSL into Structurizr
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C4 diagrams are rendered automatically
The included example models a Product Information Management (PIM) System — a realistic, multi-tier enterprise application.
pim-prompt.txt contains the plain-language description used as input for Claude:
- 3 personas (Product Manager, Supplier, Channel)
- 3 software systems (PIM, ERP, Shop)
- 8 containers with technology tags
- Components for two services
- Full relationship mapping
- Kubernetes production deployment
- 5 C4 views with auto-layout and styles
PIM-dsl.json is the Structurizr DSL workspace produced by Claude from the prompt above. It can be imported directly into Structurizr.
The diagrams below were rendered by Structurizr from the generated DSL:
| View | Diagram |
|---|---|
| System Context |  |
| Container Overview |  |
| Core Service Components |  |
| Asset Service Components |  |
| Deployment (Production) |  |
In a second iteration, the architecture was extended using a handwritten sketch — drawn on a reMarkable tablet and uploaded directly to Claude.
The sketch shows a new component — an AI Text Generator — connected to the PIM system. Claude reads the sketch as an image, identifies the new element and its relationships, and integrates them into the existing DSL workspace:
- PIM → AI Text Generator: generates product text
- The AI Text Generator becomes a new container inside the PIM system
No prompt engineering required — the image itself is the specification.
After Claude merged the sketch into the DSL, Structurizr rendered the updated architecture:
| View | Diagram |
|---|---|
| System Context |  |
| Container Overview |  |
| Core Service Components |  |
| Asset Service Components |  |
| AI Text Service Components |  |
| Deployment (Production) |  |
See Installation.md for the full setup guide, including:
- Building the Structurizr Docker image
- Docker Compose configuration (Structurizr + MCP Server)
- Optional Caddy reverse proxy with HTTPS
- Claude Desktop configuration
- Claude project system prompt
- Available MCP tools
- Troubleshooting