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FINOS · Architecture as Code

Software architecture as code — human-readable, machine-validated.

CALM is an open-source FINOS specification for defining software architectures in a standardized, version-controlled, machine-readable format — aligning design intent with what you actually build.

Start learning →What is CALM? · 5-min read
Open source · FINOS incubating · Apache-2.0
trading-system.architecture.json✓ valid
{
  "nodes": [
    { "unique-id": "trading-ui",
      "node-type": "webclient" },
    { "unique-id": "orders-api",
      "node-type": "service" }
  ],
  "relationships": [
    { "connects": {
      "source": "trading-ui",
      "destination": "orders-api" } }
  ]
}
The trading-system architecture rendered as a diagram in CALM Hub: Trading UI connecting to Orders API
rendered by CALM Hub ↗
01 · STANDARDIZE
A common, machine-readable language so every team describes architecture the same way.
02 · AUTOMATE
Validate, visualize and document straight from your CI/CD pipeline.
03 · GOVERN
Capture controls and standards in the architecture, and enforce them continuously.
Choose your path

Where do you fit? Start with your role.

Six short, guided journeys — each one ends with something real you’ve built, then hands you into the deeper reference.

For architects

Model & visualize a system

Describe your first architecture in CALM and generate a live diagram from it.

6 steps · ~1-2 hrsStart path →
For developers

Validate in your repo & CI

Install the CLI, wire CALM into a pipeline, and catch drift on every pull request.

6 steps · ~2 hrsStart path →
Governance & risk

Automate controls & standards

Turn architectural controls and organizational standards into checks that run automatically.

6 steps · ~2 hrsStart path →
Engineering leaders

See how CALM de-risks delivery

A no-code tour of the value, adoption model, and where teams see returns.

6 short reads · ~15 minStart path →
For contributors

Build & ship your first PR

Set up the monorepo, find a good first issue, and get your change merged.

5 steps · at your paceStart path →
Just exploring

What is CALM, and why?

The problem it solves and the core idea — in five minutes, no setup required.

4 short reads · ~15 minStart path →
The learning journey

Your CALM journey, from first node to full architecture

Four stops, at your own pace — each builds on the last, ending with a complete, governed architecture you built yourself.

STOP 01Beginner
7 tutorials · ~2 hrs
First node → relationships → a complete architecture.
STOP 02Intermediate
13 tutorials
Controls, flows, patterns, standards & the AI advisor.
STOP 03Advanced
Deep dives
Architecture-discovery skill & the QCon demos.
STOP 04Practitioner
~2–3 hrs · capstone
A full governed architecture, end-to-end, with AI.
Begin the journey — Setup & CLI →

One standard, a whole toolchain

Reference lives one click away inside every journey.

CLIGenerate, validate & document from the terminal.CALM HubA registry of architectures, patterns & controls.CALM StudioDraw diagrams, get validated CALM as you go.VS CodeLive-validate & visualize inside your editor.Validation ServerRemote HTTP validation for any toolchain.

CALM Hub is hosted by FINOS — explore the public instance ↗