Core Concepts & ArchiMate Alignment

Scapius models enterprise architecture across hierarchical structural containers and strictly typed entities aligned with The Open Group ArchiMate 3.2 specification.

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1. Structural Containers

workspace

The root container that encapsulates an entire enterprise architecture scope. All entity IDs in a workspace must be globally unique.

workspace global_retail "Global Retail Enterprise" {
    # Child layers, groups, and entities live here
}

layer

Logical stratification of the architectural landscape, corresponding directly to standard ArchiMate core and extension layers:

• Business Layer: Capabilities, Actors, Processes, Value Streams, Goals, KPIs
• Application Layer: Systems, Apps, Components, Data Objects, AI Agents
• Technology Layer: Environments, Infrastructure
• Security & Governance Layer: Policies, Standards, Controls, Threats, Vulnerabilities, Risk Scenarios, Trust Boundaries

layer "Application Layer" {
    # Systems, Apps, Components
}

group

Logical grouping within a layer or globally across bounded contexts, business units, or squads.

group "Checkout & Payments" {
    # Related apps and processes
}

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2. ArchiMate & Open Group Entity Alignment

Scapius entity types map directly to standard Open Group ArchiMate and TOGAF concepts:

Scapius DSL Keyword	ArchiMate 3.2 Concept	ArchiMate Layer / Aspect
capability	Capability	Strategy Layer
value_stream / stage	Value Stream	Strategy Layer
goal	Goal	Motivation Aspect
actor	Business Actor	Business Layer (Active Structure)
process	Business Process	Business Layer (Behavior)
system	Application Component (Macro)	Application Layer (Active Structure)
app	Application Component	Application Layer (Active Structure)
component	Application Component (Sub-module)	Application Layer (Active Structure)
data_object	Data Object	Application Layer (Passive Structure)
agent	Application Component (Autonomous Agent)	Application Layer / AI Extension
environment	Location / Technology Node	Technology Layer
infrastructure	Node / Device / System Software	Technology Layer
policy / standard	Principle / Requirement	Motivation / Governance Aspect
control	Requirement / Work Package	Implementation & Security Aspect
threat / vulnerability	Risk & Security Element (Open Group)	Security Architecture Aspect
trust_boundary	Grouping / Plateau (Security Perimeter)	Security Architecture Aspect

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3. Decoupled Styling with styles

In Scapius, visual presentation properties (css_class, custom_css, icon, shape) are intentionally separated from domain objects. They are applied using declarative style rules with predicate selectors:

styles {
    style system where tier == "Tier-1" {
        css_class "mission-critical-node"
        icon "server-rack"
        custom_css "stroke: #ef4444; stroke-width: 2px;"
    }
}

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Next Steps

• 5-Minute Quick Start: Author your first .ea model.
• Entity Quick Reference: Detailed reference with ArchiMate mappings.