CALM

The Common Architecture Language Model, or ⁠**CALM**, is an open-source specification from FINOS for defining software architectures in a standardized, machine-readable format. Built on an extensible JSON meta-schema, it treats architecture as code rather than relying on static diagrams and documentation that can drift from implementation.

In large enterprises, ensuring systems follow established design patterns can be challenging. CALM allows teams to define and manage architecture in a decentralized way while maintaining a unified view when needed. Its structured descriptions can also support validation against the intended architecture. While tools like Mermaid support diagrams as code, CALM provides a machine-readable foundation for architectural compliance and programmatic governance.