Serverless Architecture Diagram Template

What this template is for

A serverless architecture diagram shows how an application runs on managed cloud primitives instead of long-lived servers. This template lays out the canonical shape: a client served by a CDN for static assets, an API gateway that routes requests, a function layer (Lambda, Cloud Functions) that handles auth, API, and event work, and backing managed services — a database, an event queue, object storage, and an identity provider. Use it to design a serverless app, document an existing one, or explain why each box is a managed service you pay per-use for.

When to use this template

• Design a serverless application before picking the cloud provider.
• Explain to a stakeholder why you don't run any servers in this architecture.
• Document the managed services you're tied to and where vendor lock-in lives.
• Plan the function layer by separating auth, API handlers, and event processors.
• Trace a request from CDN through gateway to function to database.
• Compare serverless against a containerized deployment to justify the choice.

How to use it

1. 1Start with the client and the CDN serving static assets.
2. 2Add the API gateway as the entry for dynamic requests.
3. 3Add the function layer with separate functions per concern.
4. 4Add the backing services: database, queue, storage, identity.
5. 5Connect the gateway to functions and functions to backing services.
6. 6Label what's managed (everything) and what you write (just the functions).

Quick example