Atomic Design System

Build production-ready design systems using Atomic Design methodology.

Critical Rule: Figma Is Source of Truth

ALWAYS extract and implement from Figma exactly. Never guess design values.

Figma-First Workflow (Required)

1. EXTRACT FROM FIGMA (Mandatory)

   • Use Figma MCP: get_code_connect_map / get_node
   • Copy specs: colors, spacing, typography, effects
   • Document ALL extracted values

2. COMPARE WITH EXISTING

   • Check current tokens/*.json
   • If Figma differs -> UPDATE tokens (Figma wins always)

3. IMPLEMENT EXACTLY

   • Match Figma specs 1:1
   • No rounding, no improvements, no creative freedom

Zero Deviation Policy

When to Use

Figma MCP Commands

figma.get_node(file_key, node_id)        // Get component specs
figma.get_code_connect_map(file_key, node_id)  // Get code snippets
figma.get_styles(file_key, style_type)   // Get styles
figma.get_local_variables(file_key)      // Get design tokens

Design Tokens

Token Usage

/* DO: Use semantic names */
color: var(--color-primary);
padding: var(--spacing-component-padding);

/* DON'T: Use primitives directly */
color: var(--blue-500);  /* Wrong */
padding: 16px;           /* Wrong */

Atomic Hierarchy

PAGES      -> Dashboard, Settings, UserProfile
TEMPLATES  -> DashboardLayout, AuthLayout
ORGANISMS  -> Header, Sidebar, Form, DataTable
MOLECULES  -> FormField, SearchBar, Card, NavItem
ATOMS      -> Button, Input, Typography, Icon
TOKENS     -> colors, typography, spacing (FROM FIGMA)

Core Rules

1. Props = Content Only

// Correct
interface ButtonProps {
  children: ReactNode;
  onClick: () => void;
  variant?: 'primary' | 'secondary';
  disabled?: boolean;
}

// Wrong - Visual props exposed
interface ButtonProps {
  backgroundColor?: string;  // NO
  fontSize?: string;         // NO
}

2. All Styles Encapsulated

.button {
  background: var(--color-primary);
  padding: var(--spacing-button-padding-y) var(--spacing-button-padding-x);
  font-size: var(--font-size-button);
}

3. Responsive Built-In

.card { padding: var(--spacing-4); }  /* Mobile */
@media (min-width: 768px) { .card { padding: var(--spacing-6); } }  /* Tablet */
@media (min-width: 1024px) { .card { padding: var(--spacing-8); } } /* Desktop */

4. Accessibility Required

<button
  aria-label={iconOnly ? label : undefined}
  aria-busy={loading}
  aria-disabled={disabled}
>

Workflow: Create New Component

Step 0: Extract from Figma (Mandatory)

1. Open Figma Dev Mode (Shift+D)
2. Select component
3. Extract: Dimensions, padding, colors, typography, effects, border radius
4. Document ALL extracted values
5. Compare with existing tokens
6. Update tokens if Figma differs

Step 1: Classify Level

Is component breakable into smaller parts?
  No  -> ATOM
  Yes -> What does it compose?
    Only Atoms      -> MOLECULE
    Molecules+Atoms -> ORGANISM

Step 2: Create Files

src/design-system/atoms/Button/
  Button.tsx          # Component + Props
  Button.module.css   # All styles (tokens only)
  Button.test.tsx     # Tests
  index.ts            # Export

Step 3: Implement Pattern

/**
 * @figma https://figma.com/file/xxx/Design-System?node-id=123
 * @extracted 2024-01-15
 * All values from Figma - DO NOT MODIFY without designer approval.
 */
import styles from './Button.module.css';

interface ButtonProps {
  children: ReactNode;
  variant?: 'primary' | 'secondary' | 'ghost' | 'danger';
  size?: 'sm' | 'md' | 'lg';
  disabled?: boolean;
  onClick?: () => void;
}

export const Button = ({ children, variant = 'primary', size = 'md', disabled, onClick }: ButtonProps) => (
  <button className={clsx(styles.button, styles[variant], styles[size])} disabled={disabled} onClick={onClick}>
    {children}
  </button>
);

Checklist Before Delivery

• Specs extracted from Figma (not guessed)
• Tokens updated if Figma values differ
• NO values rounded or improved
• Visual comparison shows 0% difference from Figma
• Correct atomic level
• Uses ONLY semantic tokens
• Props are content/behavior only
• Responsive at all breakpoints
• TypeScript interfaces complete
• Accessibility attributes
• Figma link documented

References