Component Types Overview
The Nodinite Component Types feature gives your Repository entities a clear visual identity. This helps both technical and business users read C4 Diagrams and map views faster.
With Component Types, you can:
- ✅ Use consistent icons for systems and integration components
- ✅ Improve readability in C4 Diagrams and Mapify views
- ✅ Standardize visual language across teams and environments
- ✅ Reuse one Component Type definition across many entities
What Are Component Types?
A Component Type is a reusable definition with a name, category, and icon. When assigned to entities such as Systems, the icon appears in architecture and map-based views.
This gives users immediate visual cues about what they are looking at. The icons come with Nodinite out of the box (Font Awesome icons, Microsoft Azure architecture icons, and the Mermaid logo), and administrators can upload their own for anything else.
Tip
Sharing diagrams outside Nodinite as Mermaid markup? Only Font Awesome icons go along; Azure and uploaded icons show only inside Nodinite. See which icons survive a Mermaid export.
The same icons can also sit right next to the text of an Article: writers place them with Insert Icon in the Article editor (see Add or manage Article and the inline icons reference).
Why This Matters for Non-Admins
Non-admin users often consume diagrams rather than build them. Component Types helps them quickly identify services, systems, and technologies through consistent icons.
| Need | What Component Types provides |
|---|---|
| Faster visual scanning | Standardized icon set |
| Better cross-team understanding | Shared naming and category model |
| Better diagram clarity | Reused visual identity in C4 Diagrams |
Access and Configuration
Component Types require a Mapify license; if your Nodinite instance doesn't have it, Component Types aren't shown. Administrators and repository owners should define and maintain naming and icon conventions.
Start with:
- What is a Component Type? for complete capability details
- C4 Diagrams to see where Component Types appear in architecture work
New 7.12 A deleted Component Type can be restored, and the items that use it keep their icon in the meantime. Tick Include deleted Component Types to see deleted types; deleting, restoring, and permanently deleting them is described in Delete, restore, and permanently delete.