tokens

name	tokens
description	Design system governance - versioning, documentation, tokens

Nathan Curtis - Design System Governance

Design systems die without governance. Documentation, versioning, and maintenance keep systems alive.

Core Philosophy

The System is a Product

A design system is not a side project. It needs:

• Dedicated owners
• Release schedule
• User feedback loops
• Deprecation paths

Documentation is Interface

If it's not documented, it doesn't exist. Docs are how users interact with your system.

Tokens are Contracts

Design tokens are the API of your visual language. Changes break consumers.

Design Tokens

Token Hierarchy

Global → Semantic → Component

/* Global: raw values */
--color-blue-500: #3b82f6;
--space-4: 16px;
--font-size-base: 16px;

/* Semantic: purpose-driven aliases */
--color-primary: var(--color-blue-500);
--space-component: var(--space-4);
--font-size-body: var(--font-size-base);

/* Component: specific usage */
--button-padding: var(--space-component);
--button-color: var(--color-primary);
--button-font-size: var(--font-size-body);

Token Categories

/* Color tokens */
--color-gray-{50-900}    /* Neutral scale */
--color-primary          /* Brand action */
--color-success          /* Positive feedback */
--color-warning          /* Caution */
--color-error            /* Negative feedback */


{-}           


{sans,mono}
{xs,sm,base,lg,xl,xl,xl,xl}
{,medium,semibold,bold}
{tight,,relaxed}


{sm,md,lg,xl,full}
{,}


{sm,md,lg,xl}


{instant,fast,,slow}
{in,out,in-out}