Arcobay vs IcePanel and Structurizr: code-first, not DSL-first
Arcobay · Architecture documentation · Aug 15 · Updated Aug 15
IcePanel and Structurizr excel at C4 models you maintain. Arcobay builds the diagram from the repository so you are not updating a DSL every sprint.
IcePanel and Structurizr are built for teams who want to author a C4 model. Arcobay is built for teams who want the diagram to come from the codebase so the model cannot quietly rot.
DSL-first tools are honest about the work: someone updates the model. That is fine when architecture is a dedicated practice. It fails in agencies and startups where the person who would update the C4 file is also shipping the feature that made it wrong.
Code-first tradeoff
You give up pixel-perfect C4 views you drew by hand. You gain a map that can refresh from GitHub, decisions on nodes, and a handoff portal. Read the full comparison at Arcobay vs Structurizr / IcePanel.
Try the path on signup or scan the architecture documentation tool page.
FAQ
C4 export? The board, docs, video, and handoff are the artifacts — not a Structurizr DSL editor.
Keep C4? Yes if you will maintain it. Switch if the model already lags the repo.