diff --git a/.clang-uml b/.clang-uml
index ad661b87..3d234d38 100644
--- a/.clang-uml
+++ b/.clang-uml
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@ comment_parser: clang
 remove_compile_flags:
   - -Wno-class-memaccess
   - -Wno-dangling-reference
+plantuml:
+  cmd: "plantuml -tsvg \"docs/diagrams/{}.puml\""
+mermaid:
+  cmd: "mmdc -i \"docs/diagrams/{}.mmd\" -o \"docs/diagrams/{}.svg\""
 generate_links:
   link: "{% if existsIn(element, \"doxygen_link\") %}{{ element.doxygen_link }}{% endif %}"
   tooltip: "{% if existsIn(element, \"comment\") and existsIn(element.comment, \"brief\") %}{{ abbrv(trim(replace(element.comment.brief.0, \"\\n+\", \" \")), 256) }}{% else %}{{ element.name }}{% endif %}"
@@ -29,7 +33,7 @@ diagrams:
     include!: uml/class/stylable_element_hierarchy_class.yml
   source_location_hierarchy_class:
     include!: uml/class/source_location_hierarchy_class.yml
-  filter_visitor_hierarchy_class:
+  "filter_visitor_hierarchy_class":
     include!: uml/class/filter_visitor_hierarchy_class.yml
   diagram_filter_context_class:
     include!: uml/class/diagram_filter_context_class.yml
diff --git a/docs/generator_types.md b/docs/generator_types.md
index e52642ab..c364fbd5 100644
--- a/docs/generator_types.md
+++ b/docs/generator_types.md
@@ -43,6 +43,14 @@ will add before the diagram contents (right after `@startuml`) the title and
 direction hint, and after each diagram contents (right before `@enduml`)
 2 notes attached to elements.
 
+This generator also accepts a `cmd` parameter to specify a command to execute
+on the generated PlantUML source file to generate actual diagram image, for
+instance:
+```yaml
+  plantuml:
+    cmd: "/usr/bin/plantuml -tsvg \"diagrams/{}.puml\""
+```
+
 An example PlantUML diagram is presented below:
 
 ```plantuml
@@ -117,6 +125,14 @@ will add before the diagram contents (right after diagram type,
 e.g. `classDiagram`) diagram direction hint, and after each diagram contents
 2 notes attached to elements.
 
+This generator also accepts a `cmd` parameter to specify a command to execute
+on the generated MermaidJS source file to generate actual diagram image, for
+instance:
+```yaml
+    mermaid:
+      cmd: "mmdc -i \"diagrams/{}.mmd\" -o \"diagrams/{}_mermaid.svg\""
+```
+
 An example MermaidJS diagram is presented below:
 
 ```
diff --git a/docs/quick_start.md b/docs/quick_start.md
index c687784e..d696c2f0 100644
--- a/docs/quick_start.md
+++ b/docs/quick_start.md
@@ -52,6 +52,12 @@ To add an initial class diagram to your project, follow these steps:
    mmdc -i diagrams/some_class_diagram.mmd -o diagrams/some_class_diagram.svg
    ```
    
+   Steps 3 and 4 can be combined into one step like follows:
+   ```
+   clang-uml -p -n some_class_diagram -g plantuml -r --plantuml-cmd="plantuml -tsvg diagrams/{}.puml"
+   ```
+   where `-r` enables diagram rendering and `--plantuml-cmd` specifies command
+   to execute on each generated diagram.
 5. Add another diagram:
    ```bash
    clang-uml --add-sequence-diagram another_diagram
diff --git a/src/cli/cli_handler.cc b/src/cli/cli_handler.cc
index 12b902e3..7d65df61 100644
--- a/src/cli/cli_handler.cc
+++ b/src/cli/cli_handler.cc
@@ -138,6 +138,14 @@ cli_flow_t cli_handler::parse(int argc, const char **argv)
         "Do not perform configuration file schema validation");
     app.add_flag("--validate-only", validate_only,
         "Perform configuration file schema validation and exit");
+    app.add_flag("-r,--render_diagrams", render_diagrams,
+        "Automatically render generated diagrams using appropriate command");
+    app.add_option("--plantuml-cmd", plantuml_cmd,
+        "Command template to render PlantUML diagram, `{}` will be replaced "
+        "with diagram name.");
+    app.add_option("--mermaid-cmd", mermaid_cmd,
+        "Command template to render MermaidJS diagram, `{}` will be replaced "
+        "with diagram name.");
 
     try {
         app.parse(argc, argv);
@@ -184,6 +192,8 @@ cli_flow_t cli_handler::handle_options(int argc, const char **argv)
 
     res = handle_post_config_options();
 
+    config.inherit();
+
     return res;
 }
 
@@ -250,8 +260,8 @@ cli_flow_t cli_handler::handle_pre_config_options()
 cli_flow_t cli_handler::load_config()
 {
     try {
-        config = clanguml::config::load(
-            config_path, paths_relative_to_pwd, no_metadata, !no_validate);
+        config = clanguml::config::load(config_path, false,
+            paths_relative_to_pwd, no_metadata, !no_validate);
         if (validate_only) {
             std::cout << "Configuration file " << config_path << " is valid.\n";
 
@@ -334,6 +344,20 @@ cli_flow_t cli_handler::handle_post_config_options()
         config.remove_compile_flags.has_value = true;
     }
 
+    if (plantuml_cmd) {
+        if (!config.puml)
+            config.puml.set({});
+
+        config.puml().cmd = plantuml_cmd.value();
+    }
+
+    if (mermaid_cmd) {
+        if (!config.mermaid)
+            config.mermaid.set({});
+
+        config.mermaid().cmd = mermaid_cmd.value();
+    }
+
 #if !defined(_WIN32)
     if (query_driver) {
         config.query_driver.set(*query_driver);
@@ -352,6 +376,8 @@ runtime_config cli_handler::get_runtime_config() const
     cfg.print_to = print_to;
     cfg.progress = progress;
     cfg.thread_count = thread_count;
+    cfg.render_diagrams = render_diagrams;
+    cfg.output_directory = effective_output_directory;
 
     return cfg;
 }
diff --git a/src/cli/cli_handler.h b/src/cli/cli_handler.h
index 4f0dc2e6..879c13cb 100644
--- a/src/cli/cli_handler.h
+++ b/src/cli/cli_handler.h
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@ struct runtime_config {
     bool print_to{};
     bool progress{};
     unsigned int thread_count{};
+    bool render_diagrams{};
+    std::string output_directory{};
 };
 
 /**
@@ -185,6 +187,9 @@ public:
         clanguml::common::generator_type_t::plantuml};
     bool no_validate{false};
     bool validate_only{false};
+    bool render_diagrams{false};
+    std::optional<std::string> plantuml_cmd;
+    std::optional<std::string> mermaid_cmd;
 
     clanguml::config::config config;
 
diff --git a/src/common/generators/generators.cc b/src/common/generators/generators.cc
index 9ae2f2e7..30eca388 100644
--- a/src/common/generators/generators.cc
+++ b/src/common/generators/generators.cc
@@ -57,6 +57,35 @@ void find_translation_units_for_diagrams(
     }
 }
 
+void render_diagram(const clanguml::common::generator_type_t generator_type,
+    const std::string &output_directory,
+    std::shared_ptr<config::diagram> diagram_config)
+{
+    std::string cmd;
+    switch (generator_type) {
+    case clanguml::common::generator_type_t::plantuml:
+        cmd = diagram_config->puml().cmd;
+        break;
+    case clanguml::common::generator_type_t::mermaid:
+        cmd = diagram_config->mermaid().cmd;
+        break;
+    default:
+        return;
+    };
+
+    if (cmd.empty())
+        throw std::runtime_error(
+            fmt::format("No render command template provided for {} diagrams",
+                to_string(diagram_config->type())));
+
+    util::replace_all(cmd, "{}", diagram_config->name);
+
+    LOG_INFO("Rendering diagram {} using {}", diagram_config->name,
+        to_string(generator_type));
+
+    util::check_process_output(cmd);
+}
+
 namespace detail {
 
 template <typename DiagramConfig, typename GeneratorTag, typename DiagramModel>
@@ -79,11 +108,11 @@ void generate_diagram_select_generator(const std::string &od,
 }
 
 template <typename DiagramConfig>
-void generate_diagram_impl(const std::string &od, const std::string &name,
+void generate_diagram_impl(const std::string &name,
     std::shared_ptr<clanguml::config::diagram> diagram,
     const common::compilation_database &db,
     const std::vector<std::string> &translation_units,
-    const cli::runtime_config &rc, std::function<void()> &&progress)
+    const cli::runtime_config &runtime_config, std::function<void()> &&progress)
 {
     using diagram_config = DiagramConfig;
     using diagram_model = typename diagram_model_t<DiagramConfig>::type;
@@ -91,11 +120,11 @@ void generate_diagram_impl(const std::string &od, const std::string &name,
 
     auto model = clanguml::common::generators::generate<diagram_model,
         diagram_config, diagram_visitor>(db, diagram->name,
-        dynamic_cast<diagram_config &>(*diagram), translation_units, rc.verbose,
-        std::move(progress));
+        dynamic_cast<diagram_config &>(*diagram), translation_units,
+        runtime_config.verbose, std::move(progress));
 
     if constexpr (std::is_same_v<DiagramConfig, config::sequence_diagram>) {
-        if (rc.print_from) {
+        if (runtime_config.print_from) {
             auto from_values = model->list_from_values();
 
             for (const auto &from : from_values) {
@@ -104,7 +133,7 @@ void generate_diagram_impl(const std::string &od, const std::string &name,
 
             return;
         }
-        if (rc.print_to) {
+        if (runtime_config.print_to) {
             auto to_values = model->list_to_values();
 
             for (const auto &to : to_values) {
@@ -115,24 +144,32 @@ void generate_diagram_impl(const std::string &od, const std::string &name,
         }
     }
 
-    for (const auto generator_type : rc.generators) {
+    for (const auto generator_type : runtime_config.generators) {
         if (generator_type == generator_type_t::plantuml) {
             generate_diagram_select_generator<diagram_config,
-                plantuml_generator_tag>(od, name, diagram, model);
+                plantuml_generator_tag>(
+                runtime_config.output_directory, name, diagram, model);
         }
         else if (generator_type == generator_type_t::json) {
             generate_diagram_select_generator<diagram_config,
-                json_generator_tag>(od, name, diagram, model);
+                json_generator_tag>(
+                runtime_config.output_directory, name, diagram, model);
         }
         else if (generator_type == generator_type_t::mermaid) {
             generate_diagram_select_generator<diagram_config,
-                mermaid_generator_tag>(od, name, diagram, model);
+                mermaid_generator_tag>(
+                runtime_config.output_directory, name, diagram, model);
+        }
+
+        if (runtime_config.render_diagrams) {
+            render_diagram(
+                generator_type, runtime_config.output_directory, diagram);
         }
     }
 }
 } // namespace detail
 
-void generate_diagram(const std::string &od, const std::string &name,
+void generate_diagram(const std::string &name,
     std::shared_ptr<clanguml::config::diagram> diagram,
     const common::compilation_database &db,
     const std::vector<std::string> &translation_units,
@@ -147,26 +184,25 @@ void generate_diagram(const std::string &od, const std::string &name,
     using clanguml::config::sequence_diagram;
 
     if (diagram->type() == diagram_t::kClass) {
-        detail::generate_diagram_impl<class_diagram>(od, name, diagram, db,
+        detail::generate_diagram_impl<class_diagram>(name, diagram, db,
             translation_units, runtime_config, std::move(progress));
     }
     else if (diagram->type() == diagram_t::kSequence) {
-        detail::generate_diagram_impl<sequence_diagram>(od, name, diagram, db,
+        detail::generate_diagram_impl<sequence_diagram>(name, diagram, db,
             translation_units, runtime_config, std::move(progress));
     }
     else if (diagram->type() == diagram_t::kPackage) {
-        detail::generate_diagram_impl<package_diagram>(od, name, diagram, db,
+        detail::generate_diagram_impl<package_diagram>(name, diagram, db,
             translation_units, runtime_config, std::move(progress));
     }
     else if (diagram->type() == diagram_t::kInclude) {
-        detail::generate_diagram_impl<include_diagram>(od, name, diagram, db,
+        detail::generate_diagram_impl<include_diagram>(name, diagram, db,
             translation_units, runtime_config, std::move(progress));
     }
 }
 
 void generate_diagrams(const std::vector<std::string> &diagram_names,
-    config::config &config, const std::string &od,
-    const common::compilation_database_ptr &db,
+    config::config &config, const common::compilation_database_ptr &db,
     const cli::runtime_config &runtime_config,
     const std::map<std::string, std::vector<std::string>>
         &translation_units_map)
@@ -206,7 +242,7 @@ void generate_diagrams(const std::vector<std::string> &diagram_names,
             continue;
         }
 
-        auto generator = [&od, &name = name, &diagram = diagram, &indicator,
+        auto generator = [&name = name, &diagram = diagram, &indicator,
                              db = std::ref(*db),
                              translation_units = valid_translation_units,
                              runtime_config]() mutable {
@@ -215,7 +251,7 @@ void generate_diagrams(const std::vector<std::string> &diagram_names,
                     indicator->add_progress_bar(name, translation_units.size(),
                         diagram_type_to_color(diagram->type()));
 
-                generate_diagram(od, name, diagram, db, translation_units,
+                generate_diagram(name, diagram, db, translation_units,
                     runtime_config, [&indicator, &name]() {
                         if (indicator)
                             indicator->increment(name);
diff --git a/src/common/generators/generators.h b/src/common/generators/generators.h
index 151da4be..15a1558b 100644
--- a/src/common/generators/generators.h
+++ b/src/common/generators/generators.h
@@ -418,7 +418,7 @@ void generate_diagram(const std::string &od, const std::string &name,
  *
  * @param diagram_names List of diagram names to generate
  * @param config Reference to config instance
- * @param od Path to output directory
+ * @param output_directory Path to output directory
  * @param db Reference to compilation database
  * @param verbose Log level
  * @param thread_count Number of diagrams to be generated in parallel
@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ void generate_diagram(const std::string &od, const std::string &name,
  * @param translation_units_map Map of translation units for each file
  */
 void generate_diagrams(const std::vector<std::string> &diagram_names,
-    clanguml::config::config &config, const std::string &od,
+    clanguml::config::config &config,
     const common::compilation_database_ptr &db,
     const cli::runtime_config &runtime_config,
     const std::map<std::string, std::vector<std::string>>
diff --git a/src/common/types.cc b/src/common/types.cc
index e4f31996..97719ffe 100644
--- a/src/common/types.cc
+++ b/src/common/types.cc
@@ -24,4 +24,17 @@ std::string to_string(const std::string &s) { return s; }
 
 std::string to_string(const string_or_regex &sr) { return sr.to_string(); }
 
-};
+std::string to_string(const generator_type_t type)
+{
+    switch (type) {
+    case generator_type_t::plantuml:
+        return "plantuml";
+    case generator_type_t::mermaid:
+        return "mermaid";
+    case generator_type_t::json:
+        return "json";
+    default:
+        return "<unknown>";
+    }
+}
+} // namespace clanguml::common
diff --git a/src/common/types.h b/src/common/types.h
index 272135bf..0239824b 100644
--- a/src/common/types.h
+++ b/src/common/types.h
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ enum class generator_type_t {
 
 std::string to_string(const std::string &s);
 
+std::string to_string(generator_type_t type);
+
 /**
  * @brief Simple optional reference type.
  *
diff --git a/src/config/config.cc b/src/config/config.cc
index 9a7b39e4..f54a5463 100644
--- a/src/config/config.cc
+++ b/src/config/config.cc
@@ -170,12 +170,16 @@ void plantuml::append(const plantuml &r)
 {
     before.insert(before.end(), r.before.begin(), r.before.end());
     after.insert(after.end(), r.after.begin(), r.after.end());
+    if (cmd.empty())
+        cmd = r.cmd;
 }
 
 void mermaid::append(const mermaid &r)
 {
     before.insert(before.end(), r.before.begin(), r.before.end());
     after.insert(after.end(), r.after.begin(), r.after.end());
+    if (cmd.empty())
+        cmd = r.cmd;
 }
 
 void inheritable_diagram_options::inherit(
@@ -188,6 +192,7 @@ void inheritable_diagram_options::inherit(
     include.override(parent.include);
     exclude.override(parent.exclude);
     puml.override(parent.puml);
+    mermaid.override(parent.mermaid);
     generate_method_arguments.override(parent.generate_method_arguments);
     generate_packages.override(parent.generate_packages);
     generate_template_argument_dependencies.override(
diff --git a/src/config/config.h b/src/config/config.h
index 5fd9c5d0..84651ac5 100644
--- a/src/config/config.h
+++ b/src/config/config.h
@@ -121,6 +121,8 @@ struct plantuml {
     std::vector<std::string> before;
     /*! List of directives to add before diagram */
     std::vector<std::string> after;
+    /*! Command template to render diagram using PlantUML */
+    std::string cmd;
 
     void append(const plantuml &r);
 };
@@ -137,6 +139,8 @@ struct mermaid {
     std::vector<std::string> before;
     /*! List of directives to add before diagram */
     std::vector<std::string> after;
+    /*! Command template to render diagram using MermaidJS */
+    std::string cmd;
 
     void append(const mermaid &r);
 };
@@ -448,6 +452,10 @@ struct source_location {
 struct inheritable_diagram_options {
     virtual ~inheritable_diagram_options() = default;
 
+    void inherit(const inheritable_diagram_options &parent);
+
+    std::string simplify_template_type(std::string full_name) const;
+
     option<std::vector<std::string>> glob{"glob"};
     option<common::model::namespace_> using_namespace{"using_namespace"};
     option<bool> include_relations_also_as_members{
@@ -494,10 +502,6 @@ struct inheritable_diagram_options {
         "message_comment_width", clanguml::util::kDefaultMessageCommentWidth};
     option<bool> debug_mode{"debug_mode", false};
     option<bool> generate_metadata{"generate_metadata", true};
-
-    void inherit(const inheritable_diagram_options &parent);
-
-    std::string simplify_template_type(std::string full_name) const;
 };
 
 /**
@@ -648,6 +652,8 @@ struct config : public inheritable_diagram_options {
      * Initialize predefined diagram templates.
      */
     void initialize_diagram_templates();
+
+    void inherit();
 };
 
 /**
@@ -659,6 +665,7 @@ struct config : public inheritable_diagram_options {
  * @embed{load_config_sequence.svg}
  *
  * @param config_file Path to the configuration file
+ * @param inherit If true, common options will be propagated to diagram configs
  * @param paths_relative_to_pwd Whether the paths in the configuration file
  *                              should be relative to the parent directory of
  *                              the configuration file or to the current
@@ -667,7 +674,7 @@ struct config : public inheritable_diagram_options {
  * @param validate If true, perform schema validation
  * @return Configuration instance
  */
-config load(const std::string &config_file,
+config load(const std::string &config_file, bool inherit = true,
     std::optional<bool> paths_relative_to_pwd = {},
     std::optional<bool> no_metadata = {}, bool validate = true);
 
diff --git a/src/config/option.h b/src/config/option.h
index 35495d7f..ba8ff331 100644
--- a/src/config/option.h
+++ b/src/config/option.h
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ namespace clanguml {
 namespace config {
 
 template <typename T> void append_value(T &l, const T &r) { l = r; }
+
 /**
  * Possible option inheritance methods from top level to diagram level.
  */
diff --git a/src/config/schema.h b/src/config/schema.h
index b8310477..238ce590 100644
--- a/src/config/schema.h
+++ b/src/config/schema.h
@@ -157,9 +157,11 @@ types:
         plantuml: !optional
             before: !optional [string]
             after: !optional [string]
+            cmd: !optional string
         mermaid: !optional
             before: !optional [string]
             after: !optional [string]
+            cmd: !optional string
         relative_to: !optional string
         using_namespace: !optional [string, [string]]
         generate_metadata: !optional bool
@@ -194,9 +196,11 @@ types:
         plantuml: !optional
             before: !optional [string]
             after: !optional [string]
+            cmd: !optional string
         mermaid: !optional
             before: !optional [string]
             after: !optional [string]
+            cmd: !optional string
         relative_to: !optional string
         using_namespace: !optional [string, [string]]
         generate_metadata: !optional bool
@@ -231,9 +235,11 @@ types:
         plantuml: !optional
             before: !optional [string]
             after: !optional [string]
+            cmd: !optional string
         mermaid: !optional
             before: !optional [string]
             after: !optional [string]
+            cmd: !optional string
         relative_to: !optional string
         using_namespace: !optional [string, [string]]
         generate_metadata: !optional bool
@@ -260,9 +266,11 @@ types:
         plantuml: !optional
             before: !optional [string]
             after: !optional [string]
+            cmd: !optional string
         mermaid: !optional
             before: !optional [string]
             after: !optional [string]
+            cmd: !optional string
         relative_to: !optional string
         using_namespace: !optional [string, [string]]
         generate_metadata: !optional bool
@@ -306,9 +314,11 @@ root:
     plantuml: !optional
         before: !optional [string]
         after: !optional [string]
+        cmd: !optional string
     mermaid: !optional
         before: !optional [string]
         after: !optional [string]
+        cmd: !optional string
     relative_to: !optional string
     using_namespace: !optional [string, [string]]
     generate_metadata: !optional bool
diff --git a/src/config/yaml_decoders.cc b/src/config/yaml_decoders.cc
index 35a78fe7..8b2626dd 100644
--- a/src/config/yaml_decoders.cc
+++ b/src/config/yaml_decoders.cc
@@ -387,6 +387,10 @@ template <> struct convert<plantuml> {
 
         if (node["after"])
             rhs.after = node["after"].as<decltype(rhs.after)>();
+
+        if (node["cmd"])
+            rhs.cmd = node["cmd"].as<decltype(rhs.cmd)>();
+
         return true;
     }
 };
@@ -399,6 +403,10 @@ template <> struct convert<mermaid> {
 
         if (node["after"])
             rhs.after = node["after"].as<decltype(rhs.after)>();
+
+        if (node["cmd"])
+            rhs.cmd = node["cmd"].as<decltype(rhs.cmd)>();
+
         return true;
     }
 };
@@ -831,7 +839,6 @@ template <> struct convert<config> {
             diagram_config = parse_diagram_config(d.second);
             if (diagram_config) {
                 diagram_config->name = name;
-                diagram_config->inherit(rhs);
                 rhs.diagrams[name] = diagram_config;
             }
             else {
@@ -860,6 +867,13 @@ void config::initialize_diagram_templates()
         predefined_templates.as<std::map<std::string, diagram_template>>());
 }
 
+void config::inherit()
+{
+    for (auto &[name, diagram] : diagrams) {
+        diagram->inherit(*this);
+    }
+}
+
 namespace {
 void resolve_option_path(YAML::Node &doc, const std::string &option)
 {
@@ -881,7 +895,7 @@ void resolve_option_path(YAML::Node &doc, const std::string &option)
 }
 } // namespace
 
-config load(const std::string &config_file,
+config load(const std::string &config_file, bool inherit,
     std::optional<bool> paths_relative_to_pwd, std::optional<bool> no_metadata,
     bool validate)
 {
@@ -997,6 +1011,9 @@ config load(const std::string &config_file,
 
         auto d = doc.as<config>();
 
+        if (inherit)
+            d.inherit();
+
         d.initialize_diagram_templates();
 
         return d;
diff --git a/src/main.cc b/src/main.cc
index e87670e5..f8814c05 100644
--- a/src/main.cc
+++ b/src/main.cc
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ int main(int argc, const char *argv[])
         const auto compilation_database_files = db->getAllFiles();
 
         std::map<std::string /* diagram name */,
-            std::vector<std::string> /*translation units*/>
+            std::vector<std::string> /* translation units */>
             translation_units_map;
 
         // We have to generate the translation units list for each diagram
@@ -77,9 +77,8 @@ int main(int argc, const char *argv[])
             cli.diagram_names, cli.config, compilation_database_files,
             translation_units_map);
 
-        common::generators::generate_diagrams(cli.diagram_names, cli.config,
-            cli.effective_output_directory, db, cli.get_runtime_config(),
-            translation_units_map);
+        common::generators::generate_diagrams(cli.diagram_names, cli.config, db,
+            cli.get_runtime_config(), translation_units_map);
     }
     catch (error::compilation_database_error &e) {
         LOG_ERROR("Failed to load compilation database from {} due to: {}",
@@ -87,7 +86,7 @@ int main(int argc, const char *argv[])
         return 1;
     }
     catch (error::query_driver_no_paths &e) {
-        LOG_ERROR("Quering provided compiler driver {} did not provide any "
+        LOG_ERROR("Querying provided compiler driver {} did not provide any "
                   "paths, please make sure the path is correct and that your "
                   "compiler is GCC-compatible: {}",
             cli.config.query_driver(), e.what());
diff --git a/src/util/util.cc b/src/util/util.cc
index d69261ff..20975d75 100644
--- a/src/util/util.cc
+++ b/src/util/util.cc
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ std::string get_process_output(const std::string &command)
     std::string result;
 
 #if defined(__linux) || defined(__unix) || defined(__APPLE__)
-    const std::unique_ptr<FILE, decltype(&pclose)> pipe(
+    std::unique_ptr<FILE, decltype(&pclose)> pipe(
         popen(command.c_str(), "r"), pclose);
 #elif defined(_WIN32)
     std::unique_ptr<FILE, decltype(&_pclose)> pipe(
@@ -53,6 +53,38 @@ std::string get_process_output(const std::string &command)
     return result;
 }
 
+void check_process_output(const std::string &command)
+{
+    constexpr size_t kBufferSize{1024};
+    std::array<char, kBufferSize> buffer{};
+    int result{EXIT_FAILURE};
+    std::string output;
+    auto finalize = [&result](FILE *f) { result = pclose(f); };
+
+#if defined(__linux) || defined(__unix) || defined(__APPLE__)
+    std::unique_ptr<FILE, decltype(finalize)> pipe(
+        popen(command.c_str(), "r"), finalize);
+#elif defined(_WIN32)
+    std::unique_ptr<FILE, decltype(finalize)> pipe(
+        _popen(command.c_str(), "r"), finalize);
+#endif
+
+    if (!pipe) {
+        throw std::runtime_error("popen() failed!");
+    }
+
+    while (fgets(buffer.data(), buffer.size(), pipe.get()) != nullptr) {
+        output += buffer.data();
+    }
+
+    pipe.reset();
+
+    if (result != EXIT_SUCCESS) {
+        throw std::runtime_error(
+            fmt::format("External command '{}' failed: {}", command, output));
+    }
+}
+
 std::string get_env(const std::string &name)
 {
 #if defined(__linux) || defined(__unix)
diff --git a/src/util/util.h b/src/util/util.h
index 5a21c86e..73e7334a 100644
--- a/src/util/util.h
+++ b/src/util/util.h
@@ -98,6 +98,13 @@ std::string trim_typename(const std::string &s);
  */
 std::string get_process_output(const std::string &command);
 
+/**
+ * @brief Execute command shell and throw exception if command fails
+ *
+ * @param command Command to execute
+ */
+void check_process_output(const std::string &command);
+
 /**
  * @brief Get value of an environment variable
  *
diff --git a/tests/test_cases.cc b/tests/test_cases.cc
index d156699a..ebd4c4a0 100644
--- a/tests/test_cases.cc
+++ b/tests/test_cases.cc
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ load_config(const std::string &test_name)
         clanguml::common::compilation_database_ptr>
         res;
 
-    res.first = clanguml::config::load(test_name + "/.clang-uml", true);
+    res.first = clanguml::config::load(test_name + "/.clang-uml", true, true);
 
     LOG_DBG("Loading compilation database from {}",
         res.first.compilation_database_dir());
diff --git a/tests/test_cli_handler.cc b/tests/test_cli_handler.cc
index 3e3cf121..763e811b 100644
--- a/tests/test_cli_handler.cc
+++ b/tests/test_cli_handler.cc
@@ -183,4 +183,32 @@ TEST_CASE(
     REQUIRE(contains(cli.config.add_compile_flags(), "-Wno-error"));
     REQUIRE(contains(cli.config.add_compile_flags(), "-Wno-warning"));
     REQUIRE(contains(cli.config.remove_compile_flags(), "-I/usr/include"));
+}
+
+TEST_CASE(
+    "Test cli handler puml config inheritance with render cmd", "[unit-test]")
+{
+    using clanguml::cli::cli_flow_t;
+    using clanguml::cli::cli_handler;
+    using clanguml::util::contains;
+
+    std::vector<const char *> argv{"clang-uml", "--config",
+        "./test_config_data/render_cmd.yml", "-r",
+        "--mermaid-cmd=mmdc -i output/{}.mmd -o output/{}.svg"};
+
+    std::ostringstream ostr;
+    cli_handler cli{ostr, make_sstream_logger(ostr)};
+
+    auto res = cli.handle_options(argv.size(), argv.data());
+
+    REQUIRE(res == cli_flow_t::kContinue);
+
+    REQUIRE(contains(cli.get_runtime_config().output_directory, "output"));
+    REQUIRE(cli.get_runtime_config().render_diagrams);
+    REQUIRE(cli.config.diagrams.at("class_main")->puml().cmd ==
+        "plantuml -tsvg output/{}.puml");
+    REQUIRE(cli.config.diagrams.at("class_main")->mermaid().cmd ==
+        "mmdc -i output/{}.mmd -o output/{}.svg");
+    REQUIRE(cli.config.diagrams.at("class_main")->puml().after.at(0) ==
+        "' test comment");
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/test_config_data/filters.yml b/tests/test_config_data/filters.yml
index 363ab5c9..9549357f 100644
--- a/tests/test_config_data/filters.yml
+++ b/tests/test_config_data/filters.yml
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 compilation_database_dir: debug
 output_directory: output
-
 diagrams:
   include_test:
     type: include
diff --git a/tests/test_config_data/render_cmd.yml b/tests/test_config_data/render_cmd.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b9d92258
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_config_data/render_cmd.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+compilation_database_dir: debug
+output_directory: output
+plantuml:
+  cmd: "plantuml -tsvg output/{}.puml"
+diagrams:
+  class_main:
+    type: class
+    glob:
+      - src/**/*.cc
+      - src/**/*.h
+    plantuml:
+      after:
+        - "' test comment"
\ No newline at end of file