title: Swimlanes.io full syntax overview
_: **1. Messages**
One -> Two: Simple
Two ->> Three: Open arrow
Three -x Four: Lost message
Three <-> Four: Bi-directional
Two -> Two: To self
Two -> One: Actors can be
One <- Two: in any order
Two -> Three: Regular
Two <-- Three: Dashed
Two => Three: Bold
One -> Four: Markdown support for messages: *Italic*, **Bold**, ~~strike through~~ and `inline code`. + {fab-font-awesome} Icons
note: Add sequence numbers to messages with the _**autonumber**_ statement
// Uncomment next line for automatic message numbering
// autonumber
_: **2. Notes**
note:
Simple text formatting; **bold**, *italic*, ~~strike through~~ and `inline code`. + {fab-font-awesome} Icons
1. Ordered
2. list
* Unordered
* list
[link](http://www.swimlanes.io)
```
{
code block..
}
```
Two -> Three: A note is closed by a following element
note: A note spans the length of the previoues message by default
note One, Three: Specify the start and end actor to change the width of a note
```
note [start[,end]]: text
```
_: **3. Sections**
if: Define conditional flows with _**if**_
Two -> Three: Message
else: Optional alternative flow with _**else**_
Two -> One: Message
else
One <-> Four: Section lables are optional
if: Sections can be nested one level
end
note One, Three: Sections are closed with the _**end**_ statement
end
group: _**group**_ can be used instead of _**if**_ for simple grouping
end
_: **4. Dividers**
_: thin
-: regular
--: dashed
=: bold
-: Markdown support for dividers: *Italic*, **Bold**, ~~strike through~~ and `inline code`. + {fab-font-awesome} Icons
_: **5. {fab-font-awesome fa-lg} Icons**
note: {far-bolt fa-lg} Font Awesome icons are supported using:
```
{fa$-icon}
```
Where **$** is:
- **b** for brand
- **s** for solid
- **r** for regular
- **l** for light
- **d** for duotone
See [Font Awesome overview](/gallery/font-awesome) for more details and [fontawesome.com](https://fontawesome.com/v5.10.1/icons?d=gallery) for a full list of available icons.
_: **6. Delay**
...: {fas-spinner} Indicate a delay in the flow
_: **7. Order**
note: Change the order of the actors with the _**order**_ statement
```
order: first [,second[,third ...]]
```
// Uncomment next line for re-ordering
// order: Three, Two
Swimlanes.io full syntax overview
Add sequence numbers to messages with the autonumber statement
Simple text formatting; bold, italic, strike through and inline code
. + Icons
- Ordered
- list
- Unordered
- list
{
code block..
}
A note spans the length of the previoues message by default
Specify the start and end actor to change the width of a note
note [start[,end]]: text
Sections are closed with the end statement
inline code
. + Icons
Font Awesome icons are supported using:
{fa$-icon}
Where $ is:
- b for brand
- s for solid
- r for regular
- l for light
- d for duotone
See Font Awesome overview for more details and fontawesome.com for a full list of available icons.
Change the order of the actors with the order statement
order: first [,second[,third ...]]