atomic-design
Build an Atomic Design system from Figma style guides - extract tokens, create atoms/molecules/organisms/templates/pages as reusable component libraries. Use when building or extending a design system
SKILL.mdskills/atomic-design/SKILL.md
GitHubAtomic Design System
When to Use
| Trigger | Action |
|---|---|
| Create a component | Extract from Figma -> Build |
| Style element | Check Figma specs -> Apply |
| Extract tokens | Use this skill |
| Build page/form/layout | Switch to atomic-page-builder |
Critical Rule: Figma Is Source of Truth
Extract and implement from Figma exactly. Never guess design values.
- EXTRACT FROM FIGMA (mandatory) - Figma MCP: get_code_connect_map / get_node. Copy colors, spacing, typography, effects. Document ALL extracted values.
- COMPARE WITH EXISTING - check current tokens/*.json. If Figma differs -> UPDATE tokens (Figma wins always).
- IMPLEMENT EXACTLY - match Figma specs 1:1. No rounding, no improvements, no creative freedom.
Zero Deviation Policy
| Forbidden | Correct |
|---|---|
| Round 13px to 12px | Use exact 13px |
| Change #3B82F6 to #3F85F7 | Use exact #3B82F6 |
| Add shadow not in Figma | No shadow if not designed |
| Improve spacing | Exact spacing from Figma |
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
| Need | File | Key Values |
|---|---|---|
| Colors | tokens/colors.json | semantic.primary, semantic.error |
| Typography | tokens/typography.json | semantic.heading-1, semantic.body |
| Spacing | tokens/spacing.json | semantic.component-padding |
| Components | tokens/components.json | button.variants, input.states |
| Breakpoints | tokens/breakpoints.json | md: 768px, lg: 1024px |
Use semantic token names, never primitives:
color: var(--color-primary); /* DO */
padding: var(--spacing-component-padding);/* DO */
color: var(--blue-500); /* Wrong - primitive */
padding: 16px; /* Wrong - hardcoded */
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)
| Level | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Atom | Uses ONLY tokens | Button uses color/spacing tokens |
| Molecule | Combines 2+ Atoms | FormField = Label + Input + ErrorText |
| Organism | Combines Molecules + Atoms | Header = Logo + NavItems + UserMenu |
| Template | Layout structure, no content | DashboardLayout |
| Page | Template + real content | Dashboard |
Core Rules
1. Props = Content/Behavior 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)
- Open Figma Dev Mode (Shift+D)
- Select component
- Extract: dimensions, padding, colors, typography, effects, border radius
- Document ALL extracted values
- Compare with existing tokens
- 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
Head every component file with the Figma provenance comment:
/**
* @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.
*/
Props: content/behavior only, e.g. variant?: 'primary' | 'secondary' | 'ghost' | 'danger', size?: 'sm' | 'md' | 'lg', disabled?, onClick?, children. Styles come from ./Button.module.css via clsx(styles.button, styles[variant], styles[size]). Full template: references/component-templates.md
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
| File | When to Read |
|---|---|
| tokens/*.json | Need specific token values |
| references/figma-design-fidelity.md | Figma extraction guide |
| references/design-deviation-rules.md | Zero deviation policy |
| references/atomic-hierarchy.md | Component examples |
| references/component-templates.md | Copy-paste templates |
| references/responsive-patterns.md | Responsive patterns |