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Sequence diagram basics

Sequence boards show who talks to whom, top to bottom in time order.

Start a sequenceUpdated 2026-10-22

Before you start

  • An open sequence board.

Steps

  1. Press A (Add participant) and click to place each participant. Type a name.
  2. Pick Message (M), then drag between two lifelines. Press M again to switch to an Async or Return message.Tap Message in the dock, then drag between two lifelines.
  3. Press N (Note) to add a note next to a lifeline.
  4. Shift+click extends a selection across several messages.

What you should see

Lifelines with messages in the order you drew them.

If something goes wrong

The message will not attach.
Start the drag on one lifeline and release on another.
You prefer typing.
Use Edit as code (Ctrl+/) to write sequenceDiagram text instead.

Still stuck? See troubleshooting.