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Life & fun · July 26, 2024

CD

Create diagrams of complex data flows in software systems

Hello HN, It has been a while since I contributed to the web, so I decided to get back in shape and publish "something". This app is a POC of "what if diagrams were more dynamic". I'm a software engineer by trade, and with conventional tools, I often times struggle to explain flows of data in complex software systems. I got inspired by video games like The Incredible Machine and Factorio, as in some ways, software systems tend to become Rube Goldberg-esque machines ;) As a side quest, I also wanted to craft diagrams faster than text-based tools (ex: mermaid), as I am always forgetting their…

In plain words

This tool helps software engineers visualize complex data flows in software systems through dynamic, interactive diagrams. Rather than using text-based syntax like Mermaid, users can create flowcharts more intuitively and quickly, inspired by game mechanics from titles like Factorio. Designed for developers who struggle to explain how data moves through Rube Goldberg-like systems, it aims to make diagram creation faster and more accessible than conventional alternatives.

written from the facts on this page · September 2026

From the sources

In the maker’s words, at launch

Hello HN, It has been a while since I contributed to the web, so I decided to get back in shape and publish "something". This app is a POC of "what if diagrams were more dynamic". I'm a software engineer by trade, and with conventional tools, I often times struggle to explain flows of data in complex software systems. I got inspired by video games like The Incredible Machine and Factorio, as in some ways, software systems tend to become Rube Goldberg-esque machines ;) As a side quest, I also wanted to craft diagrams faster than text-based tools (ex: mermaid), as I am always forgetting their syntax. If you try the app, you will certainly struggle with its UI, especially when crafting flows, as I used all my brain juice on the core idea. I have cool features in my head for a v1 but today I really wanted to simply show what I got. You can access the app directly at https://gg-charts.com and there are some examples in the Github README to get you started. Happy to answer questions and humbly receive your honest feedback on this crazy idea!

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