Create a CLD diagram as PNG image. A Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) is a Systems Thinking tool that maps feedback loops between variables, showing how a change in one variable causes changes in others. It reveals reinforcing dynamics (exponential growth or decline) and balancing dynamics (stabilisation toward equilibrium).

You provide VGL (Vithanco Graph Language) code using the CLD notation and the tool renders it to an PNG image.

Core Concepts

A CLD consists of variables (called Stocks) connected by causal links with polarity:

• same (s): when A increases, B increases; when A decreases, B decreases. Drawn as a solid arrow.

• opposite (o): when A increases, B decreases; when A decreases, B increases. Drawn as a dashed arrow.

A feedback loop is a closed chain of causal links returning to the starting variable:

• Reinforcing loop (R): even number of opposite edges (including zero). Drives exponential growth or decline — a snowball effect.

• Balancing loop (B): odd number of opposite edges. Drives the system toward equilibrium — a thermostat effect.

How to Build a CLD

1. Identify the key variables (stocks) in the system — things whose value can increase or decrease.

2. For each pair of causally related variables, determine the polarity: does an increase in A cause B to increase (same) or decrease (opposite)?

3. Trace closed loops and classify them as reinforcing or balancing using the counting rule.

4. Give the diagram a title that frames the system boundary.

VGL Syntax

vgraph <id>: CLD "<title>" {
    <nodes and edges>
}

Node Types

• Stock — A quantity or state in the system. Stock values change over time based on incoming causal links.

node <id>: Stock "<label>"

Edges

• same — Positive causal link — both stocks change in the same direction. If the source increases, the target increases too. Marked with '+'.

• opposite — Negative causal link — the stocks change in opposite directions. If the source increases, the target decreases. Marked with '−'.

CRITICAL: You MUST specify the edge type (: same or : opposite) on every edge. Both edge types connect Stock to Stock, so the type CANNOT be inferred — omitting it will cause an error.

edge <from_id> -> <to_id>: same
edge <from_id> -> <to_id>: opposite

Identifying Feedback Loops

To classify a loop, trace a closed path back to the starting variable and count the opposite edges:

• 0 opposite edges → Reinforcing (R): Population → Birth Rate → Population (more people → more births → even more people)

• 1 opposite edge → Balancing (B): Population → Death Rate → Population (more people → more deaths → fewer people)

Rule: even count = reinforcing, odd count = balancing.

Complete Example

vgraph populationCLD: CLD "Population Dynamics" {
    node population: Stock "Population"
    node births: Stock "Birth Rate"
    node deaths: Stock "Death Rate"
    node resources: Stock "Available Resources"

    edge population -> births: same
    edge births -> population: same
    edge population -> deaths: same
    edge deaths -> population: opposite
    edge population -> resources: opposite
    edge resources -> births: same
}

Loop analysis:

• R1 (Reinforcing): Population → Birth Rate → Population — 0 opposite edges. More people produce more births, which increases population. Growth spiral.

• B1 (Balancing): Population → Death Rate → Population — 1 opposite edge. More people means more deaths, which reduces population. Death regulation.

• B2 (Balancing): Population → Available Resources → Birth Rate → Population — 1 opposite edge (population → resources). More people deplete resources, reducing birth rate. Resource constraint.

Rules

1. ALWAYS specify the edge type (: same or : opposite) — it cannot be inferred

2. Stock labels should be nouns or noun phrases representing measurable quantities that can increase or decrease (e.g. "Population", "Revenue", "Stress Level" — not "People are born" or "Increasing")

3. Every Stock MUST connect to at least one other Stock — no isolated variables

4. Think in terms of "if A increases, what happens to B?" to determine same vs opposite polarity

5. Use meaningful IDs (population, revenue, stress — not n1, n2, n3)

6. Keep the diagram focused on one system — the title should frame the boundary

7. Aim for closed loops — a CLD without any feedback loop is just a causal chain and misses the point of systems thinking

8. Prefer 3–6 variables per loop for clarity — larger loops are hard to trace and verify