Design systems that developers actually use
Why many libraries fail in production, and how to make tokens, components, and docs stick across a team.
A design system fails when it becomes a museum of components instead of a daily tool. Adoption beats completeness every time.
Document the decisions that matter: spacing rhythm, interaction states, and when not to invent a new pattern. Screenshots help; real code samples help more.
Keep the first version intentionally small. Buttons, inputs, cards, and typography cover most product surfaces. Expand only when repetition becomes expensive.
Measure usage. If a component is never imported, either improve discoverability or remove it. Living systems stay lean.