BPMN Kit vs. Camunda Modeler
Camunda Modeler is Camunda's official free desktop application for visually authoring BPMN, DMN, and forms. BPMN Kit is a TypeScript SDK for generating and deploying the same BPMN 2.0 diagrams from code. Same output format, very different workflow.
| BPMN Kit | Camunda Modeler | |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | TypeScript library you import into your own code/CI pipeline | Standalone desktop application (Electron) |
| Who authors the diagram | Code — a fluent builder, or an LLM using the AI-compact format | A human, drawing and configuring elements in a GUI |
| Version control friendliness | Diagrams are a byproduct of readable TypeScript — diffable, reviewable in a normal PR | BPMN XML diffs are verbose; typically reviewed visually, not line-by-line |
| Automation / CI | Generate diagrams as part of a build or deploy pipeline | Not designed for headless/CI use |
| Simulation | `@bpmnkit/engine` runs a process without Camunda | Not included (requires a Camunda engine or Camunda Modeler's Camunda 8 Run integration) |
| Camunda 8 deployment | `@bpmnkit/api` typed REST client, scriptable | One-click deploy from the desktop app |
| Schema validation & linting | Type-checked at compile time; typed errors at build time | Built-in BPMN linting in the editor |
| Best for | Programmatic generation, AI agents, automation platforms, CI-driven workflows | Human analysts and developers visually designing processes |
Frequently asked
Should I use BPMN Kit or Camunda Modeler?
They serve different workflows. Camunda Modeler is the official desktop GUI for visually authoring BPMN, DMN, and forms — ideal for human process designers. BPMN Kit is a TypeScript SDK for generating and deploying BPMN diagrams from code — ideal for automation, CI pipelines, and AI agents that need to produce diagrams programmatically. Many teams use both: Camunda Modeler for exploratory design, BPMN Kit for generated or templated processes.
Can BPMN Kit open files created in Camunda Modeler?
Yes — @bpmnkit/core parses standard BPMN 2.0 XML with full roundtrip fidelity, including Zeebe extensions, so diagrams authored in Camunda Modeler can be parsed, modified, and re-exported programmatically.