--- title: "Claude Code: Visual Diagrams" description: "49 Mermaid interactive diagrams covering all major Claude Code concepts" tags: [reference, architecture, diagrams, mermaid] --- # Claude Code: Visual Diagrams 49 interactive Mermaid diagrams organized in 12 thematic files. Each diagram includes a Mermaid version (rendered natively on GitHub) and an ASCII fallback. > For ASCII-only diagrams and a printable visual reference → [visual-reference.md](../core/visual-reference.md) --- ## Visual Palette All diagrams use the consistent Bold Guy palette: | Color | Hex | Usage | |-------|-----|-------| | Warm Beige | `#F5E6D3` | User actions, input nodes | | Orange Brûlé | `#E87E2F` | Key decisions, Claude actions | | Soft Green | `#7BC47F` | Success paths, recommendations | | Alert Red | `#E85D5D` | Danger, anti-patterns, risks | | Neutral Gray | `#B8B8B8` | Infrastructure, passive elements | | Light Blue | `#6DB3F2` | Information, documentation refs | ## Mermaid Conventions | Shape | Syntax | Meaning | |-------|--------|---------| | Rounded rect | `(text)` | Process step, action | | Diamond | `{text}` | Decision point | | Stadium | `([text])` | Start / End terminal | | Hexagon | `{{text}}` | External system or API | | Subroutine | `[[text]]` | Internal Claude Code component | | Cylinder | `[(text)]` | Data store, persistent state | --- ## Navigation | File | Diagrams | Topics | |------|----------|--------| | [01-foundations.md](./01-foundations.md) | 4 | 4-layer model, workflow pipeline, decision tree, permission modes | | [02-context-and-sessions.md](./02-context-and-sessions.md) | 4 | Context zones, memory hierarchy, session teleportation, fresh context | | [03-configuration-system.md](./03-configuration-system.md) | 4 | Config precedence, skills vs commands vs agents, agent lifecycle, hooks | | [04-architecture-internals.md](./04-architecture-internals.md) | 4 | Master loop, tool categories, system prompt assembly, sub-agent isolation | | [05-mcp-ecosystem.md](./05-mcp-ecosystem.md) | 4 | MCP ecosystem map, MCP architecture, rug pull attack, config hierarchy | | [06-development-workflows.md](./06-development-workflows.md) | 5 | TDD cycle, spec-first pipeline, plan-driven, iterative refinement, AI fluency paths | | [07-multi-agent-patterns.md](./07-multi-agent-patterns.md) | 6 | Agent topologies, worktrees, dual-instance, horizontal scaling, decision matrix, cross-session messaging | | [08-security-and-production.md](./08-security-and-production.md) | 4 | 3-layer defense, sandbox decision, verification paradox, CI/CD pipeline | | [09-cost-and-optimization.md](./09-cost-and-optimization.md) | 4 | Model selection, cost optimization, subscription tiers, token reduction | | [10-adoption-and-learning.md](./10-adoption-and-learning.md) | 3 | Onboarding paths, UVAL protocol, trust calibration | | [11-context-engineering.md](./11-context-engineering.md) | 4 | 3-layer context system, adherence degradation, modular architecture, rule placement | | [12-enterprise-governance.md](./12-enterprise-governance.md) | 3 | Governance risk tiers, MCP approval workflow, data classification | | **Total** | **49** | | --- ## Navigate by Use Case ### "I'm new to Claude Code, where do I start?" 1. [Quick Decision Tree](./01-foundations.md#quick-decision-tree): Should I use Claude Code? 2. [9-Step Workflow Pipeline](./01-foundations.md#9-step-workflow-pipeline): How does it work? 3. [Permission Modes](./01-foundations.md#permission-modes-comparison): What are the safety modes? 4. [Onboarding Paths](./10-adoption-and-learning.md#onboarding-adaptive-learning-paths): Which path fits me? ### "I want to understand the architecture" 1. [The Master Loop](./04-architecture-internals.md#the-master-loop): Core execution engine 2. [System Prompt Assembly](./04-architecture-internals.md#system-prompt-assembly): How context is built 3. [4-Layer Context System](./01-foundations.md#chatbot-to-context-system-4-layer-model): The transformation model 4. [Tool Categories](./04-architecture-internals.md#tool-categories): What tools are available ### "I'm worried about security" 1. [MCP Rug Pull Attack](./05-mcp-ecosystem.md#mcp-rug-pull-attack-chain): The main threat vector 2. [3-Layer Defense](./08-security-and-production.md#security-3-layer-defense): How to protect yourself 3. [Sandbox Decision Tree](./08-security-and-production.md#sandbox-decision-tree): When to sandbox 4. [Verification Paradox](./08-security-and-production.md#the-verification-paradox): Don't trust Claude to verify itself ### "I want to reduce my token costs" 1. [Model Selection Decision Flow](./09-cost-and-optimization.md#model-selection-decision-flow): Pick the right model 2. [Cost Optimization Tree](./09-cost-and-optimization.md#cost-optimization-decision-tree): Systematic cost reduction 3. [Token Reduction Pipeline](./09-cost-and-optimization.md#token-reduction-strategies-pipeline): RTK + session hygiene 4. [Context Management Zones](./02-context-and-sessions.md#context-management-zones): Manage context size ### "I want to use multiple agents" 1. [Agent Teams Topology](./07-multi-agent-patterns.md#agent-teams-topology-3-patterns): 3 orchestration patterns 2. [Multi-Instance Decision Matrix](./07-multi-agent-patterns.md#multi-instance-decision-matrix): Which pattern to use? 3. [Git Worktree Multi-Instance](./07-multi-agent-patterns.md#git-worktree-multi-instance-pattern): Parallel isolation 4. [Sub-Agent Context Isolation](./04-architecture-internals.md#sub-agent-context-isolation): How agents are isolated 5. [Cross-Session Messaging](./07-multi-agent-patterns.md#cross-session-messaging-discovery--delivery): How independent sessions discover and message each other ### "I want to set up MCP servers" 1. [MCP Ecosystem Map](./05-mcp-ecosystem.md#mcp-server-ecosystem-map): What servers exist 2. [MCP Architecture](./05-mcp-ecosystem.md#mcp-architecture-client-server): How it works 3. [MCP Config Hierarchy](./05-mcp-ecosystem.md#mcp-config-hierarchy): Where configs live ### "I want to govern Claude Code across my team" 1. [Governance Risk Tiers](./12-enterprise-governance.md#governance-risk-tiers): Which control level fits your context? 2. [MCP Governance Workflow](./12-enterprise-governance.md#mcp-governance-workflow): Approval pipeline for MCP servers 3. [Data Classification Rules](./12-enterprise-governance.md#data-classification--claude-code-access-rules): What Claude can and cannot access ### "I want to improve Claude's context adherence" 1. [Rule Placement Decision Tree](./11-context-engineering.md#rule-placement-decision-tree): Where does this rule go? 2. [3-Layer Context System](./11-context-engineering.md#the-3-layer-context-system): Global / Project / Session 3. [Context Budget & Adherence](./11-context-engineering.md#context-budget--adherence-degradation): Why rules stop being followed 4. [Modular Architecture](./11-context-engineering.md#monolithic-vs-modular-architecture): Path-scoping as the fix --- *Back to [guide/README.md](../README.md) | ASCII diagrams → [visual-reference.md](../core/visual-reference.md)*