Design System Glossary

Figma libraries and variables

Figma libraries are shared files where a team publishes components, styles and patterns for other Figma files to consume. Figma variables, introduced in 2023, are the same idea applied to design tokens: named values for colour, number, string and boolean that propagate across files and modes (theming, dark mode, multi-brand).

Variables turned Figma from a documentation tool into a credible source of truth for the design layer of a design system. Pair them with Tokens Studio (for richer alias chains and Git sync) and you can round-trip tokens between Figma and code without manual translation. Our walkthrough of Figma → Craft CMS covers a full pipeline.