What is Mermaid?
Mermaid is an open-source JavaScript library that draws diagrams by writing text.
Definition and Word Origin
Instead of dragging boxes in a drawing tool, the schema is written in text, and the tool converts it into a visual. Since the text is versionable, it lives alongside the documentation and goes through review. It gets its name from the mermaid myth and has nothing to do with technicality.
How to Know and Use in Daily Life?
Documentation: Architecture schema within the README.
Planning: Calendar view with Gantt.
Report: Flow and sequence diagrams.
Technical Depth and Architecture
Main types:
Flowchart: Decision and flow boxes.
Sequence: Time-axis interaction.
Gantt: Task schedule.
ER: Entity relationship diagram.
Simple flow example:
flowchart LR
A[İstek] --> B[Sunucu]
B --> C[Yanıt]GitHub and GitLab render these blocks directly, no plugins needed. The official editor is used for live preview.
Frequently Mixed Things
They are thought to be drawing tools. However, Mermaid is text-based, it does not involve drag-and-drop. If drawing with visual precision is needed, a graphic editor is required.
Use in Different Disciplines
Music: Transcription of sound through notation.
Stenography: Writing speech using shortcuts.
Mathematics: Describing a shape with formulas.
Questions and answers
What kind of charts can be drawn with Mermaid?
Technical diagrams such as flowcharts, sequence diagrams, Gantt charts, pie charts, ER diagrams, and mind maps can be drawn.
Does GitHub support it?
Yes. Mermaid blocks within Markdown are rendered directly.
Is it free?
The core library is open source and free. Hosted editors may have paid tiers.
When does it fall short?
When pixel precision and freehand drawing are required. That is the job of a graphic editor.
Related terms
Related tools
This explanation was written in plain language for TreScout with AI and machine-translated from the Turkish original · the Turkish version prevails. If something looks wrong or missing, write to hello@trescout.com. Read in Turkish →