System Design documentation
Learn to map integrations, data, events, delivery pipelines, security, observability, and infrastructure.
AAL System Design 0.2 · Dictionary 0.2.0
Start here
System Design helps you explain how the parts of a system work together. You can map a customer calling a service, data moving between applications, or software running on infrastructure.
Start with two boxes and a connection: Customer → Orders API. Each box is a element; the connection describes their interaction. You can build this visually or write AAL in the source editor. Both edit the same model.
What can you describe?
- Application integrations and request flows.
- Data pipelines, events, and delivery pipelines.
- Security, observability, and cloud or on-premises infrastructure.
Choose your learning path
New to System Design? Follow Getting started, then the Workspace tour. Build a small connection before adding containment or reusable software.
Learn by building
- Create and connect two elements in Getting started.
- Use the Workspace tour to rename the API and inspect the connection.
- Read Elements and nesting to learn children and collapse/expand before optional catalog detail.
- Use Relationships and styling to refine communication and readability.
- Save, export, and present your work.
Choose another entry point
- Prefer source? Read the language reference and copy a complete example into a new project. Check diagnostics and compare the canvas.
- Looking for a specific product? Search the element dictionary by name, role, provider, or type ID.
- Need a larger design? Explore the purpose-based, provider-specific, and hybrid examples.
Getting started with System Design
Create, connect, inspect, save, and reopen your first system diagram.
System Design workspace tour
Understand the toolbar, editor, canvas, inspector, and everyday navigation.
Elements and nesting
Create generic elements, nest children, and collapse or expand any parent. Add catalog detail when useful.
Relationships and styling
Control interaction meaning, attachments, manual routes, labels, and visual emphasis.
Save, export, and present
Persist work, move project files, and present connected systems clearly.
AAL System Design language reference
Understand declarations, identifiers, properties, references, and validation.
System Design element dictionary
Search supported element types, properties, examples, and icon provenance.
System Design examples
Fourteen complete examples: seven diagram purposes plus AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Kubernetes, events, on-premises, and hybrid scenarios.
System Design troubleshooting
Resolve source, reference, layout, saving, and version problems.