Core Concepts¶
Audience: Beginners | Status: V1 Core | Verified against: v0.43.0
CloudBlocks is a visual cloud learning tool that uses a block-based composition model. You learn cloud architecture by placing elements on the canvas, connecting them with typed protocols, and validating against real-world rules.
Blocks¶
Blocks represent both logical boundaries and cloud resources in a unified model.
| Block Type | Cloud Equivalent (Azure / AWS / GCP) | Placement Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Network | VNet / VPC / VPC | Top-level block placed directly on the canvas. |
| Subnet | Subnet / Subnet / Subnet | Must be placed inside a Network block. |
Blocks are placed inside either a Network or a Subnet to define their network location.
Nesting
A typical architecture starts with a Network block, followed by one or more Subnet blocks inside it. Blocks like virtual machines or databases are then placed within those subnets.
Blocks by Category¶
Blocks represent individual cloud resources. CloudBlocks organizes resources into exactly 8 categories:
| Category | What It Does | Example Azure Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Manages network infrastructure | VNet, Subnet, NAT Gateway, Public IP, Route Table, Private Endpoint |
| Delivery | Handles traffic entry and routing | Application Gateway, Front Door, CDN, DNS Zone, Load Balancer, Firewall |
| Compute | Runs application code | VM, App Service, Functions, Container Instances, AKS |
| Data | Stores and manages data | SQL Database, Cosmos DB, Blob Storage, Cache Store |
| Messaging | Connects services asynchronously | Queue (Service Bus), Event Hub |
| Security | Protects resources and manages access | Key Vault, Bastion, NSG, Secret Store |
| Identity | Manages authentication and authorization | Entra ID, Service Principal |
| Operations | Monitors and observes | Monitoring |
Sidebar Palette
You can find and drag these resources from the Sidebar Palette on the left side of the editor. In Learning Mode, the palette shows only the resources relevant to your current scenario.
Connections¶
Connections represent communication flows between blocks. CloudBlocks uses a port-based model where each block has defined endpoints.
Endpoint Model¶
- EndpointSemantic:
http,event, ordata. This describes the protocol or data type. - EndpointDirection:
inputoroutput.
A connection links an output port on a source block to an input port on a target block.
Allowed Connection Flows¶
The following flows are supported based on resource categories:
| Source Category | Target Category | Allowed Semantics |
|---|---|---|
| internet | Delivery | http, data |
| Delivery | Delivery | http, data |
| Delivery | Compute | http, data |
| Compute | Data | data |
| Compute | Operations | event, data |
| Compute | Security | data |
| Compute | Messaging | event, data |
| Messaging | Compute | event, data |
Receiver-only Categories
The following categories can only receive connections and cannot initiate them: Data, Security, Operations, Identity, and Network.
Templates¶
Templates provide pre-configured architecture patterns to help you learn common cloud patterns. There are 6 built-in templates available, each with a guided learning scenario:
- Three-Tier Web Application (beginner, web-application)
- Simple Compute Setup (beginner, web-application)
- Data Storage Backend (intermediate, data-pipeline)
- Serverless HTTP API (intermediate, serverless)
- Event-Driven Pipeline (advanced, data-pipeline)
- Full-Stack Serverless with Event Processing (advanced, serverless)
Cloud Providers¶
CloudBlocks supports multiple cloud providers, adapting resource names and icons automatically.
- Azure: Full resource coverage across all 8 categories (default provider).
- AWS: Mapped resource names (VPC, EC2, Lambda, S3, RDS) with Terraform starter export.
- GCP: Mapped resource names (Compute Engine, Cloud Functions, Cloud Storage) with Terraform starter export.
Azure is the default active provider. Switch providers via the provider tabs in the menu bar. See Provider Support for coverage details.
Validation¶
The validation engine ensures your design follows cloud best practices and technical constraints.
- Real-time Validation: Errors appear instantly as you place resources or create connections.
- Manual Check: Run a full audit via Build → Validate Architecture.
- Results: View detailed error messages and warnings in the Bottom Dock under the validation tab.
Workspaces¶
Workspaces allow you to manage multiple projects independently.
- Storage: Saved automatically to your browser's local storage.
- Management: Create, rename, or delete projects via the Workspaces button in the menu bar.
Backend Required
GitHub sync requires the optional Python backend. See Getting Started for setup instructions.
Learning Mode¶
Learning Mode is the primary way beginners interact with CloudBlocks. Interactive guided scenarios teach you cloud architecture patterns step by step.
- Three-Tier Web Application: Beginner scenario, approximately 10 minutes.
- Serverless HTTP API: Intermediate scenario, approximately 8 minutes.
- Event-Driven Data Pipeline: Advanced scenario, approximately 12 minutes.
Access these guided scenarios by clicking the Learn button in the menu bar, or by clicking Start Learning on an empty canvas.
What's Next?¶
| Goal | Guide |
|---|---|
| Build your first architecture | First Architecture |
| Learn the editor interface | Editor Basics |
| Build from a blank canvas | Blank Canvas Mode |
| Explore pre-built patterns | Templates |
| Work faster with hotkeys | Keyboard Shortcuts |