fix: refactored documentation

on-behalf-of: @Mermaid-Chart <hello@mermaidchart.com>

cypress/integration/rendering/sequencediagram.spec.js

@@ -1042,4 +1042,167 @@ describe('Sequence diagram', () => {
       ]);
     });
   });
+  describe('render new arrow type', () => {
+    it('should render Solid half arrow top', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+    sequenceDiagram
+      Alice -|\\  John: Hello John, how are you? 
+      Alice-|\\  John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice -|\\  John: Test
+      `
+      );
+    });
+    it('should render Solid half arrow bottom', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+    sequenceDiagram
+      Alice-|/John: Hello John, how are you?
+      Alice-|/John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice-|/John: Test
+      `
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should render Stick half arrow top ', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+     sequenceDiagram
+      Alice-\\\\John: Hello John, how are you?
+      Alice-\\\\John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice-\\\\John: Test
+      `
+      );
+    });
+    it('should render Stick half arrow bottom ', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+       sequenceDiagram
+      Alice-//John: Hello John, how are you?
+      Alice-//John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice-//John: Test
+      `
+      );
+    });
+    it('should render Solid half arrow top reverse ', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+       sequenceDiagram
+      Alice/|-John: Hello Alice, how are you?
+      Alice/|-John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice/|-John: Test
+
+      `
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should render Solid half arrow bottom reverse ', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `sequenceDiagram
+        Alice \\|- John: Hello Alice, how are you?
+        Alice \\|- John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+        Alice \\|- John: Test`
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should render Stick half arrow top reverse ', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+      sequenceDiagram
+      Alice //-John: Hello Alice, how are you?
+      Alice //-John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice //-John: Test`
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should render Stick half arrow bottom reverse ', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+       sequenceDiagram
+      Alice \\\\-John: Hello Alice, how are you?
+      Alice \\\\-John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice \\\\-John: Test`
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should render Solid half arrow top dotted', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+     sequenceDiagram
+      Alice --|\\John: Hello John, how are you?
+      Alice --|\\John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice --|\\John: Test`
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should render Solid half arrow bottom dotted', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+     sequenceDiagram
+      Alice --|/John: Hello John, how are you?
+      Alice --|/John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice --|/John: Test`
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should render Stick half arrow top dotted', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+     sequenceDiagram
+      Alice--\\\\John: Hello John, how are you?
+      Alice--\\\\John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice--\\\\John: Test`
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should render Stick half arrow bottom dotted', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+     sequenceDiagram
+      Alice--//John: Hello John, how are you?
+      Alice--//John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice--//John: Test`
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should render Solid half arrow top reverse dotted', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+  sequenceDiagram
+      Alice/|--John: Hello Alice, how are you?
+      Alice/|--John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice/|--John: Test`
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should render Solid half arrow bottom reverse dotted', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+  sequenceDiagram
+      Alice\\|--John: Hello Alice, how are you?
+      Alice\\|--John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice\\|--John: Test`
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should render Stick half arrow top reverse dotted ', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+  sequenceDiagram
+      Alice//--John: Hello Alice, how are you?
+      Alice//--John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice//--John: Test`
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should render Stick half arrow bottom reverse dotted ', () => {
+      imgSnapshotTest(
+        `
+  sequenceDiagram
+      Alice\\\\--John: Hello Alice, how are you?
+      Alice\\\\--John: Hi Alice, I can hear you!
+      Alice\\\\--John: Test`
+      );
+    });
+  });
 });

docs/syntax/sequenceDiagram.md

@@ -209,7 +209,11 @@ Messages can be of two displayed either solid or with a dotted line.
 [Actor][Arrow][Actor]:Message text
 ```
 
-There are ten types of arrows currently supported:
+Lines can be solid or dotted, and can end with various types of arrowheads, crosses, or open arrows.
+
+#### Supported Arrow Types
+
+**Standard Arrow Types**
 
 | Type     | Description                                          |
 | -------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
@@ -224,6 +228,58 @@ There are ten types of arrows currently supported:
 | `-)`     | Solid line with an open arrow at the end (async)     |
 | `--)`    | Dotted line with a open arrow at the end (async)     |
 
+**Half-Arrows**
+
+The following half-arrow types are now supported for more expressive sequence diagrams. Both solid and dotted variants are available by increasing the number of dashes (`-` → `--`).
+
+---
+
+| Type    | Description                                          |
+| ------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
+| `-\|\`  | Solid line with top half arrowhead                   |
+| `--\|\` | Dotted line with top half arrowhead                  |
+| `-\|/`  | Solid line with bottom half arrowhead                |
+| `--\|/` | Dotted line with bottom half arrowhead               |
+| `/\|-`  | Solid line with reverse top half arrowhead           |
+| `/\|--` | Dotted line with reverse top half arrowhead          |
+| `\\-`   | Solid line with reverse bottom half arrowhead        |
+| `\\--`  | Dotted line with reverse bottom half arrowhead       |
+| `-\\`   | Solid line with top stick half arrowhead             |
+| `--\\`  | Dotted line with top stick half arrowhead            |
+| `-//`   | Solid line with bottom stick half arrowhead          |
+| `--//`  | Dotted line with bottom stick half arrowhead         |
+| `//-`   | Solid line with reverse top stick half arrowhead     |
+| `//--`  | Dotted line with reverse top stick half arrowhead    |
+| `\\-`   | Solid line with reverse bottom stick half arrowhead  |
+| `\\--`  | Dotted line with reverse bottom stick half arrowhead |
+
+## Central Connections
+
+Mermaid sequence diagrams now support **central lifeline connections** using a `()`.\
+This is useful to represent messages or signals that connect to a central point, rather than from one actor directly to another.
+
+To indicate a central connection, append `()` to the arrow syntax.
+
+#### Basic Syntax
+
+```mermaid-example
+sequenceDiagram
+    participant Alice
+    participant John
+    Alice->>()John: Hello John
+    Alice()->>John: How are you?
+    John()->>()Alice: Great!
+```
+
+```mermaid
+sequenceDiagram
+    participant Alice
+    participant John
+    Alice->>()John: Hello John
+    Alice()->>John: How are you?
+    John()->>()Alice: Great!
+```
+
 ## Activations
 
 It is possible to activate and deactivate an actor. (de)activation can be dedicated declarations:

packages/mermaid/src/diagrams/sequence/parser/sequenceDiagram.jison

@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ accDescr\s*"{"\s*                                { this.begin("acc_descr_multili
 "off"															return 'off';
 ","                                                             return ',';
 ";"                                                             return 'NEWLINE';
-[^\+\<->\->:\n,;]+((?!(\-x|\-\-x|\-\)|\-\-\)))[\-]*[^\+\<->\->:\n,;]+)*             { yytext = yytext.trim(); return 'ACTOR'; }
+[^\/\\\+\()\<->\->:\n,;]+((?!(\-x|\-\-x|\-\)|\-\-\)|\-\|\\|\-\\|\-\/|\-\/\/|\-\|\/|\/\|\-|\\\|\-|\/\/\-|\\\\\-|\/\|\-|\-\-\|\\|\-\-|\(\)))[\-]*[^\+\<->\->:\n,;]+)*             { yytext = yytext.trim(); return 'ACTOR'; } //final_4.11
 "->>"                                                           return 'SOLID_ARROW';
 "<<->>"                                                           return 'BIDIRECTIONAL_SOLID_ARROW';
 "-->>"                                                          return 'DOTTED_ARROW';
@@ -84,10 +84,36 @@ accDescr\s*"{"\s*                                { this.begin("acc_descr_multili
 \-\-[x]                                                         return 'DOTTED_CROSS';
 \-[\)]                                                          return 'SOLID_POINT';
 \-\-[\)]                                                        return 'DOTTED_POINT';
+
+//normal-dotted
+\-\-\|\\                                                        return 'SOLID_ARROW_TOP_DOTTED';
+\-\-\|\/                                                        return 'SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_DOTTED';
+\-\-\\\\                                                        return 'STICK_ARROW_TOP_DOTTED';
+\-\-\/\/                                                        return 'STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_DOTTED';
+
+//reverse-dotted
+\/\|\-\-                                                          return 'SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED';
+\\\|\-\-                                                          return 'SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED';
+\/\/\-\-                                                          return 'STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED';
+\\\\\-\-                                                          return 'STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED';
+
+//normal
+\-\|\\                                                          return 'SOLID_ARROW_TOP';
+\-\|\/                                                          return 'SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM';
+\-\\\\                                                          return 'STICK_ARROW_TOP';
+\-\/\/                                                          return 'STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM';
+
+//reverse
+\/\|\-                                                          return 'SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE';
+\\\|\-                                                          return 'SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE';
+\/\/\-                                                          return 'STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE';
+\\\\\-                                                          return 'STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE';
+
 ":"(?:(?:no)?wrap:)?[^#\n;]*                                    return 'TXT';
 ":"                             								return 'TXT';
 "+"                                                             return '+';
 "-"                                                             return '-';
+"()"                                                            return '()';
 <<EOF>>                                                         return 'NEWLINE';
 .                                                               return 'INVALID';
 
@@ -297,6 +323,20 @@ signal
 	{ $$ = [$1,$4,{type: 'addMessage', from:$1.actor, to:$4.actor, signalType:$2, msg:$5},
 	             {type: 'activeEnd', signalType: yy.LINETYPE.ACTIVE_END, actor: $1.actor}
 	             ]}
+    | actor signaltype '()' actor text2
+	{ $$ = [$1,$4,{type: 'addMessage', from:$1.actor, to:$4.actor, signalType:$2, msg:$5, activate: true, centralConnection: yy.LINETYPE.CENTRAL_CONNECTION},
+	              {type: 'centralConnection', signalType: yy.LINETYPE.CENTRAL_CONNECTION, actor: $4.actor, }
+	             ]}
+    
+	| actor '()' signaltype actor text2
+	{ $$ = [$1,$4,{type: 'addMessage', from:$1.actor, to:$4.actor, signalType:$3, msg:$5, activate: false, centralConnection: yy.LINETYPE.CENTRAL_CONNECTION_REVERSE},
+	              {type: 'centralConnectionReverse', signalType: yy.LINETYPE.CENTRAL_CONNECTION_REVERSE, actor: $1.actor}
+	             ]}
+	| actor '()' signaltype '()' actor text2
+	{ $$ = [$1,$5,{type: 'addMessage', from:$1.actor, to:$5.actor, signalType:$3, msg:$6, activate: true, centralConnection: yy.LINETYPE.CENTRAL_CONNECTION_DUAL},
+	 			 {type: 'centralConnection', signalType: yy.LINETYPE.CENTRAL_CONNECTION, actor: $5.actor, },
+				 {type: 'centralConnectionReverse', signalType: yy.LINETYPE.CENTRAL_CONNECTION_REVERSE, actor: $1.actor}
+	             ]}
 	| actor signaltype actor text2
 	{ $$ = [$1,$3,{type: 'addMessage', from:$1.actor, to:$3.actor, signalType:$2, msg:$4}]}
 	;
@@ -313,6 +353,27 @@ signaltype
 	: SOLID_OPEN_ARROW  { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.SOLID_OPEN; }
 	| DOTTED_OPEN_ARROW { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.DOTTED_OPEN; }
 	| SOLID_ARROW       { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.SOLID; }
+	
+	| SOLID_ARROW_TOP    { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.SOLID_TOP; }
+	| SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.SOLID_BOTTOM; }
+	| STICK_ARROW_TOP    { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.STICK_TOP; }
+	| STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.STICK_BOTTOM; }
+
+	| SOLID_ARROW_TOP_DOTTED    { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.SOLID_TOP_DOTTED; }	
+	| SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_DOTTED { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.SOLID_BOTTOM_DOTTED; }
+	| STICK_ARROW_TOP_DOTTED    { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.STICK_TOP_DOTTED; }
+	| STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_DOTTED { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.STICK_BOTTOM_DOTTED; }
+
+	| SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE    { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE; }
+	| SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE; }
+	| STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE    { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE; }
+	| STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE; }
+
+	| SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED    { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED; }
+	| SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED; }
+	| STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED    { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED; }
+	| STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED; }
+
   | BIDIRECTIONAL_SOLID_ARROW       { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.BIDIRECTIONAL_SOLID; }
 	| DOTTED_ARROW      { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.DOTTED; }
 	| BIDIRECTIONAL_DOTTED_ARROW      { $$ = yy.LINETYPE.BIDIRECTIONAL_DOTTED; }

packages/mermaid/src/diagrams/sequence/sequenceDb.ts

@@ -62,6 +62,30 @@ const LINETYPE = {
   PAR_OVER_START: 32,
   BIDIRECTIONAL_SOLID: 33,
   BIDIRECTIONAL_DOTTED: 34,
+
+  SOLID_TOP: 41,
+  SOLID_BOTTOM: 42,
+  STICK_TOP: 43,
+  STICK_BOTTOM: 44,
+
+  SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE: 45,
+  SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE: 46,
+  STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE: 47,
+  STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE: 48,
+
+  SOLID_TOP_DOTTED: 51,
+  SOLID_BOTTOM_DOTTED: 52,
+  STICK_TOP_DOTTED: 53,
+  STICK_BOTTOM_DOTTED: 54,
+
+  SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED: 55,
+  SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED: 56,
+  STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED: 57,
+  STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED: 58,
+
+  CENTRAL_CONNECTION: 59,
+  CENTRAL_CONNECTION_REVERSE: 60,
+  CENTRAL_CONNECTION_DUAL: 61,
 } as const;
 
 const ARROWTYPE = {
@@ -218,7 +242,8 @@ export class SequenceDB implements DiagramDB {
     idTo?: Message['to'],
     message?: { text: string; wrap: boolean },
     messageType?: number,
-    activate = false
+    activate = false,
+    centralConnection?: number
   ) {
     if (messageType === this.LINETYPE.ACTIVE_END) {
       const cnt = this.activationCount(idFrom ?? '');
@@ -245,6 +270,7 @@ export class SequenceDB implements DiagramDB {
       wrap: message?.wrap ?? this.autoWrap(),
       type: messageType,
       activate,
+      centralConnection: centralConnection ?? 0,
     });
     return true;
   }
@@ -537,6 +563,12 @@ export class SequenceDB implements DiagramDB {
         case 'activeStart':
           this.addSignal(param.actor, undefined, undefined, param.signalType);
           break;
+        case 'centralConnection':
+          this.addSignal(param.actor, undefined, undefined, param.signalType);
+          break;
+        case 'centralConnectionReverse':
+          this.addSignal(param.actor, undefined, undefined, param.signalType);
+          break;
         case 'activeEnd':
           this.addSignal(param.actor, undefined, undefined, param.signalType);
           break;
@@ -580,7 +612,14 @@ export class SequenceDB implements DiagramDB {
               this.state.records.lastDestroyed = undefined;
             }
           }
-          this.addSignal(param.from, param.to, param.msg, param.signalType, param.activate);
+          this.addSignal(
+            param.from,
+            param.to,
+            param.msg,
+            param.signalType,
+            param.activate,
+            param.centralConnection
+          );
           break;
         case 'boxStart':
           this.addBox(param.boxData);

packages/mermaid/src/diagrams/sequence/sequenceDiagram.spec.js

@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ describe('more than one sequence diagram', () => {
       [
         {
           "activate": false,
+          "centralConnection": 0,
           "from": "Alice",
           "id": "0",
           "message": "Hello Bob, how are you?",
@@ -113,6 +114,7 @@ describe('more than one sequence diagram', () => {
         },
         {
           "activate": false,
+          "centralConnection": 0,
           "from": "Bob",
           "id": "1",
           "message": "I am good thanks!",
@@ -131,6 +133,7 @@ describe('more than one sequence diagram', () => {
       [
         {
           "activate": false,
+          "centralConnection": 0,
           "from": "Alice",
           "id": "0",
           "message": "Hello Bob, how are you?",
@@ -140,6 +143,7 @@ describe('more than one sequence diagram', () => {
         },
         {
           "activate": false,
+          "centralConnection": 0,
           "from": "Bob",
           "id": "1",
           "message": "I am good thanks!",
@@ -160,6 +164,7 @@ describe('more than one sequence diagram', () => {
       [
         {
           "activate": false,
+          "centralConnection": 0,
           "from": "Alice",
           "id": "0",
           "message": "Hello John, how are you?",
@@ -169,6 +174,7 @@ describe('more than one sequence diagram', () => {
         },
         {
           "activate": false,
+          "centralConnection": 0,
           "from": "John",
           "id": "1",
           "message": "I am good thanks!",
@@ -2038,4 +2044,34 @@ Bob->>Alice:Got it!
     expect(messages[0].from).toBe('Alice');
     expect(messages[0].to).toBe('Bob');
   });
+
+  it('1 should parse ', async () => {
+    const diagram = await Diagram.fromText(`
+    sequenceDiagram
+    actor Bob
+    actor Alice
+        Bob -|\\ Alice: Hello Alice, how are you?
+        Bob -|/ Alice: Hello Alice, how are you?
+        Bob -// Alice: Hello Alice, how are you?
+        Bob -\\\\ Alice: Hello Alice, how are you?
+        
+        Bob \\|- Alice: Hello Alice, how are you?
+        Bob /|- Alice: Hello Alice, how are you?
+        Bob //- Alice: Hello Alice, how are you?
+        Bob \\\\- Alice: Hello Alice, how are you?        
+    `);
+
+    const messages = diagram.db.getMessages();
+  });
+
+  it('2 should parse ', async () => {
+    const diagram = await Diagram.fromText(`
+    sequenceDiagram
+    actor Bob
+    actor Alice
+      Alice ()<<->>() Bob: hey?
+    `);
+
+    const messages = diagram.db.getMessages();
+  });
 });

packages/mermaid/src/diagrams/sequence/sequenceRenderer.ts

@@ -281,6 +281,43 @@ const drawNote = async function (elem: any, noteModel: NoteModel) {
   bounds.models.addNote(noteModel);
 };
 
+const drawCentralConnection = function (
+  elem: any,
+  msg: any,
+  msgModel: any,
+  diagObj: Diagram,
+  startx: number,
+  stopx: number,
+  lineStartY: number
+) {
+  const actors = diagObj.db.getActors();
+  const [fromLeft] = activationBounds(msg.from, actors);
+  const [toLeft] = activationBounds(msg.to, actors);
+  const isArrowToRight = fromLeft <= toLeft;
+
+  const g = elem.append('g');
+
+  const drawCircle = (cx: number) => {
+    g.append('circle')
+      .attr('cx', cx)
+      .attr('cy', lineStartY)
+      .attr('r', 5)
+      .attr('width', 10)
+      .attr('height', 10);
+  };
+
+  if (msg.centralConnection === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.CENTRAL_CONNECTION) {
+    const cx = isArrowToRight ? stopx + 8 : stopx - 8;
+    drawCircle(cx);
+  } else if (msg.centralConnection === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.CENTRAL_CONNECTION_DUAL) {
+    const offset = isArrowToRight ? 8 : -8;
+    drawCircle(stopx + offset);
+    drawCircle(startx - 2.75); // second circle (near start)
+  } else {
+    drawCircle(startx - 2.75);
+  }
+};
+
 const messageFont = (cnf) => {
   return {
     fontFamily: cnf.messageFontFamily,
@@ -366,7 +403,7 @@ async function boundMessage(_diagram, msgModel): Promise<number> {
  * @param lineStartY - The Y coordinate at which the message line starts
  * @param diagObj - The diagram object.
  */
-const drawMessage = async function (diagram, msgModel, lineStartY: number, diagObj: Diagram) {
+const drawMessage = async function (diagram, msgModel, lineStartY: number, diagObj: Diagram, msg) {
   const { startx, stopx, starty, message, type, sequenceIndex, sequenceVisible } = msgModel;
   const textDims = utils.calculateTextDimensions(message, messageFont(conf));
   const textObj = svgDrawCommon.getTextObj();
@@ -432,6 +469,9 @@ const drawMessage = async function (diagram, msgModel, lineStartY: number, diagO
     line.attr('y1', lineStartY);
     line.attr('x2', stopx);
     line.attr('y2', lineStartY);
+    if (msg.centralConnection) {
+      drawCentralConnection(diagram, msg, msgModel, diagObj, startx, stopx, lineStartY);
+    }
   }
   // Make an SVG Container
   // Draw the line
@@ -440,7 +480,15 @@ const drawMessage = async function (diagram, msgModel, lineStartY: number, diagO
     type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.DOTTED_CROSS ||
     type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.DOTTED_POINT ||
     type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.DOTTED_OPEN ||
-    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.BIDIRECTIONAL_DOTTED
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.BIDIRECTIONAL_DOTTED ||
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_TOP_DOTTED ||
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_BOTTOM_DOTTED ||
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_TOP_DOTTED ||
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_BOTTOM_DOTTED ||
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED ||
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED ||
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED ||
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED
   ) {
     line.style('stroke-dasharray', '3, 3');
     line.attr('class', 'messageLine1');
@@ -456,6 +504,51 @@ const drawMessage = async function (diagram, msgModel, lineStartY: number, diagO
   line.attr('stroke-width', 2);
   line.attr('stroke', 'none'); // handled by theme/css anyway
   line.style('fill', 'none'); // remove any fill colour
+
+  if (type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_TOP || type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_TOP_DOTTED) {
+    line.attr('marker-end', 'url(' + url + '#solidTopArrowHead)');
+  }
+  if (
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_BOTTOM ||
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_BOTTOM_DOTTED
+  ) {
+    line.attr('marker-end', 'url(' + url + '#solidBottomArrowHead)');
+  }
+  if (type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_TOP || type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_TOP_DOTTED) {
+    line.attr('marker-end', 'url(' + url + '#stickTopArrowHead)');
+  }
+  if (
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_BOTTOM ||
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_BOTTOM_DOTTED
+  ) {
+    line.attr('marker-end', 'url(' + url + '#stickBottomArrowHead)');
+  }
+
+  if (
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE ||
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED
+  ) {
+    line.attr('marker-start', 'url(' + url + '#solidBottomArrowHead)');
+  }
+  if (
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE ||
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED
+  ) {
+    line.attr('marker-start', 'url(' + url + '#solidTopArrowHead)');
+  }
+  if (
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE ||
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED
+  ) {
+    line.attr('marker-start', 'url(' + url + '#stickBottomArrowHead)');
+  }
+  if (
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE ||
+    type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED
+  ) {
+    line.attr('marker-start', 'url(' + url + '#stickTopArrowHead)');
+  }
+
   if (type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID || type === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.DOTTED) {
     line.attr('marker-end', 'url(' + url + '#arrowhead)');
   }
@@ -824,6 +917,10 @@ export const draw = async function (_text: string, id: string, _version: string,
   svgDraw.insertArrowCrossHead(diagram);
   svgDraw.insertArrowFilledHead(diagram);
   svgDraw.insertSequenceNumber(diagram);
+  svgDraw.insertSolidTopArrowHead(diagram);
+  svgDraw.insertSolidBottomArrowHead(diagram);
+  svgDraw.insertStickTopArrowHead(diagram);
+  svgDraw.insertStickBottomArrowHead(diagram);
 
   /**
    * @param msg - The message to draw.
@@ -864,6 +961,12 @@ export const draw = async function (_text: string, id: string, _version: string,
       case diagObj.db.LINETYPE.ACTIVE_START:
         bounds.newActivation(msg, diagram, actors);
         break;
+      case diagObj.db.LINETYPE.CENTRAL_CONNECTION:
+        bounds.newActivation(msg, diagram, actors);
+        break;
+      case diagObj.db.LINETYPE.CENTRAL_CONNECTION_REVERSE:
+        bounds.newActivation(msg, diagram, actors);
+        break;
       case diagObj.db.LINETYPE.ACTIVE_END:
         activeEnd(msg, bounds.getVerticalPos());
         break;
@@ -1022,7 +1125,7 @@ export const draw = async function (_text: string, id: string, _version: string,
             createdActors,
             destroyedActors
           );
-          messagesToDraw.push({ messageModel: msgModel, lineStartY: lineStartY });
+          messagesToDraw.push({ messageModel: msgModel, lineStartY: lineStartY, msg });
           bounds.models.addMessage(msgModel);
         } catch (e) {
           log.error('error while drawing message', e);
@@ -1035,6 +1138,27 @@ export const draw = async function (_text: string, id: string, _version: string,
         diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_OPEN,
         diagObj.db.LINETYPE.DOTTED_OPEN,
         diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID,
+
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_TOP,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_BOTTOM,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_TOP,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_BOTTOM,
+
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_TOP_DOTTED,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_BOTTOM_DOTTED,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_TOP_DOTTED,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_BOTTOM_DOTTED,
+
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE,
+
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED,
+
         diagObj.db.LINETYPE.DOTTED,
         diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_CROSS,
         diagObj.db.LINETYPE.DOTTED_CROSS,
@@ -1054,7 +1178,7 @@ export const draw = async function (_text: string, id: string, _version: string,
   await drawActors(diagram, actors, actorKeys, false);
 
   for (const e of messagesToDraw) {
-    await drawMessage(diagram, e.messageModel, e.lineStartY, diagObj);
+    await drawMessage(diagram, e.messageModel, e.lineStartY, diagObj, e.msg);
   }
   if (conf.mirrorActors) {
     await drawActors(diagram, actors, actorKeys, true);
@@ -1430,6 +1554,27 @@ const buildMessageModel = function (msg, actors, diagObj) {
       diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_OPEN,
       diagObj.db.LINETYPE.DOTTED_OPEN,
       diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID,
+
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_TOP,
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_BOTTOM,
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_TOP,
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_BOTTOM,
+
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_TOP_DOTTED,
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_BOTTOM_DOTTED,
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_TOP_DOTTED,
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_BOTTOM_DOTTED,
+
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE,
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE,
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE,
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE,
+
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED,
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED,
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED,
+      diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED,
+
       diagObj.db.LINETYPE.DOTTED,
       diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_CROSS,
       diagObj.db.LINETYPE.DOTTED_CROSS,
@@ -1447,6 +1592,12 @@ const buildMessageModel = function (msg, actors, diagObj) {
   let startx = isArrowToRight ? fromRight : fromLeft;
   let stopx = isArrowToRight ? toLeft : toRight;
 
+  if (
+    msg.centralConnection === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.CENTRAL_CONNECTION_REVERSE ||
+    msg.centralConnection === diagObj.db.LINETYPE.CENTRAL_CONNECTION_DUAL
+  ) {
+    startx += 4;
+  }
   // As the line width is considered, the left and right values will be off by 2.
   const isArrowToActivation = Math.abs(toLeft - toRight) > 2;
 
@@ -1480,7 +1631,30 @@ const buildMessageModel = function (msg, actors, diagObj) {
      * Shorten the length of arrow at the end and move the marker forward (using refX) to have a clean arrowhead
      * This is not required for open arrows that don't have arrowheads
      */
-    if (![diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_OPEN, diagObj.db.LINETYPE.DOTTED_OPEN].includes(msg.type)) {
+    if (
+      ![
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_OPEN,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.DOTTED_OPEN,
+
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_TOP,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_BOTTOM,
+
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_TOP_DOTTED,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_BOTTOM_DOTTED,
+
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED,
+
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE,
+
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED,
+
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE,
+      ].includes(msg.type)
+    ) {
       stopx += adjustValue(3);
     }
 
@@ -1488,9 +1662,14 @@ const buildMessageModel = function (msg, actors, diagObj) {
      * Shorten start position of bidirectional arrow to accommodate for second arrowhead
      */
     if (
-      [diagObj.db.LINETYPE.BIDIRECTIONAL_SOLID, diagObj.db.LINETYPE.BIDIRECTIONAL_DOTTED].includes(
-        msg.type
-      )
+      [
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.BIDIRECTIONAL_SOLID,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.BIDIRECTIONAL_DOTTED,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE,
+        diagObj.db.LINETYPE.SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE,
+      ].includes(msg.type)
     ) {
       startx -= adjustValue(3);
     }

packages/mermaid/src/diagrams/sequence/svgDraw.js

@@ -1099,6 +1099,77 @@ const _drawMenuItemTextCandidateFunc = (function () {
   };
 })();
 
+/**
+ * Setup arrow head and define the marker. The result is appended to the svg.
+ *
+ * @param elem
+ */
+export const insertSolidTopArrowHead = function (elem) {
+  elem
+    .append('defs')
+    .append('marker')
+    .attr('id', 'solidTopArrowHead')
+    .attr('refX', 7.9)
+    .attr('refY', 7.25)
+    .attr('markerUnits', 'userSpaceOnUse')
+    .attr('markerWidth', 12)
+    .attr('markerHeight', 12)
+    .attr('orient', 'auto-start-reverse')
+    .append('path')
+    .attr('d', 'M 0 0 L 10 8 L 0 8 z'); // this is actual shape for arrowhead
+};
+
+export const insertSolidBottomArrowHead = function (elem) {
+  elem
+    .append('defs')
+    .append('marker')
+    .attr('id', 'solidBottomArrowHead')
+    .attr('refX', 7.9)
+    .attr('refY', 0.75)
+    .attr('markerUnits', 'userSpaceOnUse')
+    .attr('markerWidth', 12)
+    .attr('markerHeight', 12)
+    .attr('orient', 'auto-start-reverse')
+    .append('path')
+    .attr('d', 'M 0 0 L 10 0 L 0 8 z');
+};
+
+export const insertStickTopArrowHead = function (elem) {
+  elem
+    .append('defs')
+    .append('marker')
+    .attr('id', ' stickTopArrowHead')
+    .attr('refX', 7.5)
+    .attr('refY', 7)
+    .attr('markerUnits', 'userSpaceOnUse')
+    .attr('markerWidth', 12)
+    .attr('markerHeight', 12)
+    .attr('orient', 'auto-start-reverse')
+    .append('path')
+    .attr('d', 'M 0 0 L 7 7')
+    .attr('stroke', 'black')
+    .attr('stroke-width', 1.5)
+    .attr('fill', 'none');
+};
+
+export const insertStickBottomArrowHead = function (elem) {
+  elem
+    .append('defs')
+    .append('marker')
+    .attr('id', ' stickBottomArrowHead')
+    .attr('refX', 7.5)
+    .attr('refY', 0)
+    .attr('markerUnits', 'userSpaceOnUse')
+    .attr('markerWidth', 12)
+    .attr('markerHeight', 12)
+    .attr('orient', 'auto-start-reverse')
+    .append('path')
+    .attr('d', 'M 0 7 L 7 0')
+    .attr('stroke', 'black')
+    .attr('stroke-width', 1.5)
+    .attr('fill', 'none');
+};
+
 export default {
   drawRect,
   drawText,
@@ -1121,4 +1192,8 @@ export default {
   getNoteRect,
   fixLifeLineHeights,
   sanitizeUrl,
+  insertSolidTopArrowHead,
+  insertSolidBottomArrowHead,
+  insertStickTopArrowHead,
+  insertStickBottomArrowHead,
 };

packages/mermaid/src/diagrams/sequence/types.ts

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ export interface Message {
   type?: number;
   activate?: boolean;
   placement?: string;
+  centralConnection?: number;
 }
 
 export interface AddMessageParams {
@@ -50,6 +51,8 @@ export interface AddMessageParams {
     | 'destroyParticipant'
     | 'activeStart'
     | 'activeEnd'
+    | 'centralConnection'
+    | 'centralConnectionReverse'
     | 'addNote'
     | 'addLinks'
     | 'addALink'

packages/mermaid/src/docs/syntax/sequenceDiagram.md

@@ -144,7 +144,11 @@ Messages can be of two displayed either solid or with a dotted line.
 [Actor][Arrow][Actor]:Message text
 ```
 
-There are ten types of arrows currently supported:
+Lines can be solid or dotted, and can end with various types of arrowheads, crosses, or open arrows.
+
+#### Supported Arrow Types
+
+**Standard Arrow Types**
 
 | Type     | Description                                          |
 | -------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
@@ -159,6 +163,49 @@ There are ten types of arrows currently supported:
 | `-)`     | Solid line with an open arrow at the end (async)     |
 | `--)`    | Dotted line with a open arrow at the end (async)     |
 
+**Half-Arrows**
+
+The following half-arrow types are now supported for more expressive sequence diagrams. Both solid and dotted variants are available by increasing the number of dashes (`-` → `--`).
+
+---
+
+| Type    | Description                                          |
+| ------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
+| `-\|\`  | Solid line with top half arrowhead                   |
+| `--\|\` | Dotted line with top half arrowhead                  |
+| `-\|/`  | Solid line with bottom half arrowhead                |
+| `--\|/` | Dotted line with bottom half arrowhead               |
+| `/\|-`  | Solid line with reverse top half arrowhead           |
+| `/\|--` | Dotted line with reverse top half arrowhead          |
+| `\\-`   | Solid line with reverse bottom half arrowhead        |
+| `\\--`  | Dotted line with reverse bottom half arrowhead       |
+| `-\\`   | Solid line with top stick half arrowhead             |
+| `--\\`  | Dotted line with top stick half arrowhead            |
+| `-//`   | Solid line with bottom stick half arrowhead          |
+| `--//`  | Dotted line with bottom stick half arrowhead         |
+| `//-`   | Solid line with reverse top stick half arrowhead     |
+| `//--`  | Dotted line with reverse top stick half arrowhead    |
+| `\\-`   | Solid line with reverse bottom stick half arrowhead  |
+| `\\--`  | Dotted line with reverse bottom stick half arrowhead |
+
+## Central Connections
+
+Mermaid sequence diagrams now support **central lifeline connections** using a `()`.  
+This is useful to represent messages or signals that connect to a central point, rather than from one actor directly to another.
+
+To indicate a central connection, append `()` to the arrow syntax.
+
+#### Basic Syntax
+
+```mermaid-example
+sequenceDiagram
+    participant Alice
+    participant John
+    Alice->>()John: Hello John
+    Alice()->>John: How are you?
+    John()->>()Alice: Great!
+```
+
 ## Activations
 
 It is possible to activate and deactivate an actor. (de)activation can be dedicated declarations:

packages/mermaid/src/mermaid.spec.ts

@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ describe('when using mermaid and ', () => {
         [Error: Parse error on line 2:
         ...equenceDiagramAlice:->Bob: Hello Bob, h...
         ----------------------^
-        Expecting 'SOLID_OPEN_ARROW', 'DOTTED_OPEN_ARROW', 'SOLID_ARROW', 'BIDIRECTIONAL_SOLID_ARROW', 'DOTTED_ARROW', 'BIDIRECTIONAL_DOTTED_ARROW', 'SOLID_CROSS', 'DOTTED_CROSS', 'SOLID_POINT', 'DOTTED_POINT', got 'TXT']
+        Expecting '()', 'SOLID_OPEN_ARROW', 'DOTTED_OPEN_ARROW', 'SOLID_ARROW', 'SOLID_ARROW_TOP', 'SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM', 'STICK_ARROW_TOP', 'STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM', 'SOLID_ARROW_TOP_DOTTED', 'SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_DOTTED', 'STICK_ARROW_TOP_DOTTED', 'STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_DOTTED', 'SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE', 'SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE', 'STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE', 'STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE', 'SOLID_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED', 'SOLID_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED', 'STICK_ARROW_TOP_REVERSE_DOTTED', 'STICK_ARROW_BOTTOM_REVERSE_DOTTED', 'BIDIRECTIONAL_SOLID_ARROW', 'DOTTED_ARROW', 'BIDIRECTIONAL_DOTTED_ARROW', 'SOLID_CROSS', 'DOTTED_CROSS', 'SOLID_POINT', 'DOTTED_POINT', got 'TXT']
       `);
     });