Introduction: Docs People Actually Want to Read
Design documentation has a reputation: dry, outdated, and ignored. But when done well—inside Figma, close to the work itself—it can empower your team, reduce handoff errors, and scale your design system with clarity.
This guide shows how to document directly in Figma in a way that’s useful, visual, and actually read by designers, developers, and stakeholders.
1. Why Document Your Design System in Figma?
- ✅ Keeps docs close to the components
- ✅ Reduces tool switching (no Notion, Google Docs, Confluence detours)
- ✅ Ensures up-to-date info as components evolve
- ✅ Empowers onboarding and collaboration
Your documentation lives alongside your actual design files—always relevant, always discoverable.
2. What to Document in a Design System
| Section | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Foundations | Colors, Typography, Spacing, Icons, Grids |
| Components | Usage guidelines, states, variations, interactions |
| Tokens/Variables | Naming conventions, theming, modes, implementation notes |
| Accessibility | Contrast, keyboard focus, screen reader behavior |
| Motion & Behavior | Animation guidelines, transitions |
| Content Guidelines | Tone of voice, button labels, field tips |
| Contribution Model | How to suggest changes or create new components |
📘 Focus on the questions your users ask most—then answer them visually.
3. Embed Documentation Directly in Figma Files
Figma supports native documentation right inside your files:
🟨 Sticky Notes
Use for:
- Quick tips
- Do’s and don’ts
- WIP annotations
💬 Comments
Use for:
- Clarifications
- Change logs
- Developer discussions
🗂 Sections & Pages
Structure content into clear zones:
IntroFoundationsComponentsTokensFor Developers
✅ Pro Tip: Create a page called “📚 Documentation” with all guidelines in one place.
4. Use Design to Document Design
The best documentation is visual.
- Use interactive components to show behavior
- Include before/after comparisons
- Show real UI examples in context
- Include token previews with mode toggles
👀 Use overlays, callouts, and inline examples to explain concepts visually instead of relying on paragraphs of text.
5. Reuse Components in Your Docs
Use the actual design system components in your docs:
- ✅ Ensures accuracy (live link updates)
- ✅ Avoids duplication
- ✅ Keeps docs consistent with real builds
If a component changes, so does its documentation. Automatically.
6. Include Code References for Developers
Use Figma’s Dev Mode, code snippets, or integrations like:
- Storybook Connect
- Tokens Studio
- Jira plugin with dev annotations
🧩 Add text below a component like:
Component: <Button />
Props: size="large" variant="primary"
Even a little dev-friendly context can go a long way.
7. Add Interactive Prototypes for Context
For complex flows:
- Link to prototype views
- Walk through usage in context
- Explain hover/pressed/disabled states visually
🎥 You can even embed Loom or Scribe recordings directly in your Figma file using plugins or links.
8. Encourage Contribution and Feedback
Good documentation evolves.
- Add a section like “💬 Suggest an Update”
- Use branches for proposing changes
- Host design critiques inside Figma using comments
👥 The more collaborative your docs are, the more they’ll be used and improved.
9. Tools and Plugins to Enhance Figma Documentation
- Figma’s Dev Mode
- Zeroheight (live documentation from Figma)
- Figma Tokens plugin
- Design Lint (checks consistency)
- Autoflow / Diagramming tools for flows
📦 Keep your tools lightweight—don’t let tooling overload slow the team.
Conclusion: Make Docs Part of the Product
Great design documentation is about clarity, context, and collaboration. By embedding it directly in Figma—and making it visual and approachable—you remove friction, speed up onboarding, and give your system staying power.
Next up: “Design System Governance: Who Owns What (and How to Keep It Working)” — where we’ll explore roles, reviews, and release workflows.
Designilo 