plantuml-ascii

The plantuml-ascii skill allows users to generate text-based diagrams in ASCII format using PlantUML. This skill addresses the challenge of creating visually structured diagrams in environments where graphical rendering is not possible or practical, such as terminal interfaces, plain-text documentation, or version-controlled files. By converting standard PlantUML diagrams into ASCII or Unicode-enhanced ASCII art, it enables developers, technical writers, and documentation teams to include diagrams in contexts that traditionally do not support images.

Key features of this skill include support for a wide range of diagram types such as sequence diagrams, class diagrams, activity diagrams, state diagrams, component diagrams, use case diagrams, and deployment diagrams. Users can generate both standard ASCII output using the -txt flag and enhanced Unicode output with the -utxt flag. The skill also supports command-line usage through native PlantUML installations or directly via the JAR file, allowing flexibility in generating diagrams from individual files or entire directories. Output files are automatically saved in .atxt or .utxt formats for easy integration into terminal-based documentation workflows.

This skill is particularly useful for developers, DevOps engineers, and technical writers who need to produce documentation that is terminal-friendly or version-controlled without relying on graphical tools. Common use cases include embedding ASCII diagrams in README files, Git commit messages, email communications, or automated documentation pipelines. By providing a clear textual representation of system architectures, workflows, and interactions, plantuml-ascii ensures that complex diagrams are accessible in environments where images are impractical or unsupported.