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token-naming-conventions

Design
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Standardizes design token naming patterns using hierarchical slash notation, dimension ordering, and consistent formatting rules. Use when establishing token naming standards, converting between naming formats, or organizing token hierarchies.

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Token Naming Conventions

When to use this skill

Use this skill when you need to:

  • Establish consistent token naming patterns across design systems
  • Convert between different naming conventions (hyphens vs slashes)
  • Create hierarchical token structures with proper organization
  • Define dimension ordering for token names
  • Transform token names for different platforms (CSS, Figma, code)
  • Validate token naming compliance

Core naming principles

1. Hierarchical structure

Tokens use forward slash notation to create clear hierarchies:

component/variant/state/property
button/primary/hover/background-color
card/elevated/default/shadow-blur

2. Semantic organization

Names should read naturally from general to specific:

  • General → Specific: typography/heading/large/font-size
  • Context → Detail: surface/primary/hover/background-color
  • Category → Property: spacing/component/padding-x

3. Consistent formatting

  • Use lowercase letters only
  • Use hyphens within segments: background-color, font-weight
  • Use forward slashes between segments: button/primary/hover
  • No spaces or special characters

Dimension ordering patterns

Default order (recommended)

  1. Component (optional): button, card, input
  2. Variant/Intent: primary, secondary, success
  3. State: default, hover, active, disabled
  4. Size: xs, sm, md, lg, xl
  5. Property: background-color, border-radius, font-size

Example: button/primary/hover/md/background-color

Custom ordering

You can customize dimension order based on design system needs:

Priority-based ordering

  1. Component: button
  2. Property: background-color
  3. Variant: primary
  4. State: hover

Example: button/background-color/primary/hover

Context-first ordering

  1. Theme: light
  2. Component: button
  3. Variant: primary
  4. State: hover
  5. Property: background-color

Example: light/button/primary/hover/background-color

Token categories and naming

Primitive tokens

Raw foundational values with simple, descriptive names:

Color primitives

colors/red/100
colors/red/500
colors/red/900
colors/neutral/50
colors/blue/600

Spacing primitives

spacing/xs    (4px)
spacing/sm    (8px)
spacing/md    (16px)
spacing/lg    (24px)
spacing/xl    (32px)

Typography primitives

font-size/xs   (12px)
font-size/sm   (14px)  
font-size/md   (16px)
font-size/lg   (18px)
font-weight/light    (300)
font-weight/normal   (400)
font-weight/semibold (600)

Semantic tokens

Purpose-driven tokens that reference primitives:

Color semantics

color/primary         → colors/blue/500
color/success         → colors/green/500
color/warning         → colors/yellow/500
color/danger          → colors/red/500

Role-based semantics

surface/primary       → colors/neutral/50
surface/secondary     → colors/neutral/100
text/primary          → colors/neutral/900
text/secondary        → colors/neutral/600
border/default        → colors/neutral/200

Component tokens

Component-specific tokens for contextual usage:

Button tokens

button/primary/default/background-color
button/primary/hover/background-color
button/primary/active/background-color
button/primary/disabled/background-color
button/primary/default/text-color
button/primary/default/border-radius

Card tokens

card/elevated/default/background-color
card/elevated/default/shadow-color
card/elevated/default/border-radius
card/flat/default/border-color

Platform-specific formatting

CSS custom properties

Convert slashes to double hyphens:

button/primary/hover/background-color
  ↓
--button--primary--hover--background-color

JavaScript/JSON

Convert slashes to nested objects:

{
  button: {
    primary: {
      hover: {
        backgroundColor: '#value'
      }
    }
  }
}

Figma variables

Keep slash notation (Figma supports it natively):

button/primary/hover/background-color

SCSS variables

Convert slashes to hyphens with prefix:

button/primary/hover/background-color
  ↓
$button-primary-hover-background-color

Naming validation rules

Valid characters

  • Lowercase letters: a-z
  • Numbers: 0-9
  • Hyphens: - (within segments only)
  • Forward slashes: / (between segments only)

Invalid patterns

❌ Button/Primary/Hover (uppercase) ❌ button_primary_hover (underscores)
❌ button-primary-hover (no hierarchy) ❌ button//primary//hover (double slashes) ❌ button/primary-/hover (trailing hyphens)

Valid patterns

✅ button/primary/hover/background-color ✅ typography/heading/large/font-size ✅ spacing/component/padding-x ✅ color/semantic/success

Common patterns

State variations

// Interactive states
component/variant/default/property
component/variant/hover/property
component/variant/active/property
component/variant/focus/property
component/variant/disabled/property

// Validation states
component/state/success/property
component/state/warning/property  
component/state/error/property

Size variations

// T-shirt sizing
component/variant/xs/property
component/variant/sm/property
component/variant/md/property
component/variant/lg/property
component/variant/xl/property

// Numeric sizing
component/variant/100/property
component/variant/200/property
component/variant/400/property

Theme variations

// Theme-aware tokens
theme/light/component/variant/property
theme/dark/component/variant/property
theme/high-contrast/component/variant/property

Best practices

  1. Be consistent: Establish rules and follow them across all tokens
  2. Be descriptive: Names should clearly indicate purpose and context
  3. Be hierarchical: Order dimensions from general to specific
  4. Be platform-aware: Consider how names will be used in different contexts
  5. Be scalable: Design naming patterns that can grow with your design system
  6. Document conventions: Maintain clear guidelines for your team

Migration strategies

When updating naming conventions:

  1. Create mapping: Document old → new name conversions
  2. Gradual transition: Support both old and new names during migration
  3. Automated tools: Use scripts to convert tokens systematically
  4. Team communication: Ensure all stakeholders understand changes
  5. Update documentation: Reflect new conventions in design system docs