plantuml-ascii

Generate ASCII diagrams from PlantUML definitions using -txt and -utxt outputs.

Updated Dec 14, 2025

Search Tags:#terminal #diagrams #plantuml #ascii #class-diagram #sequence-diagram #text-diagrams

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/louisburroughs/durion --skill plantuml-ascii-louisburroughs

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: plantuml-ascii
Source: https://github.com/louisburroughs/durion/tree/main/.github/skills/plantuml-ascii
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/louisburroughs/durion --skill plantuml-ascii-louisburroughs

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill enables converting PlantUML definitions into plain-text ASCII diagrams, empowering you to document and share diagrams in environments without images.

Core Features & Use Cases

Text-based rendering: Generate sequence, class, activity, and deployment diagrams as ASCII art for terminals and README files.
Output formats: Produce ASCII text (-txt) and Unicode-enhanced ASCII (-utxt) representations for clearer visuals.
Use Case: When an image is not usable in logs, terminals, or CI reports, render diagrams as text and embed them in docs.

Quick Start

To generate an ASCII diagram from a PlantUML file, run plantuml against your .puml file with the -txt flag.

Frequently Asked Questions about plantuml-ascii

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I convert PlantUML to ASCII diagrams for terminal documentation?▼

To convert PlantUML to ASCII diagrams, run plantuml against your .puml file using the -txt flag. This generates plain-text sequence, class, activity, and deployment diagrams suitable for terminal documentation and README files.

Can I render sequence and class diagrams as text without image files?▼

Yes, you can render sequence and class diagrams as text without images by generating ASCII text representations from PlantUML definitions. This allows you to share diagrams in environments like CI logs and terminals where images are not supported.

What is the difference between -txt and -utxt output formats in PlantUML?▼

The -txt format produces standard ASCII text diagrams, while the -utxt format produces Unicode-enhanced ASCII representations. The Unicode output provides clearer visual rendering for text-based diagrams in terminal environments.

Does PlantUML work for generating text diagrams in CI logs?▼

PlantUML works for generating text diagrams in CI logs by rendering diagram definitions into ASCII text. When an image is not usable in logs or CI reports, you can embed these text-based outputs directly into your documentation.

What's the best way to share UML diagrams in a terminal environment?▼

The best way to share UML diagrams in a terminal environment is converting PlantUML definitions to plain-text ASCII. This approach supports sequence, class, activity, and deployment diagrams, ensuring visuals render correctly without requiring image rendering capabilities.

When should I not use ASCII diagrams for PlantUML rendering?▼

You should not use ASCII diagrams for PlantUML rendering when your environment supports image files and you need complex visual layouts. ASCII text representations are designed for lightweight README diagrams, terminals, and CI logs where images fail to load.