Building Scalable Design Systems with React and Tailwind

A well-architected design system is crucial for maintaining consistency across large applications.

Design System Architecture

Core components:

• Design tokens
• Component library
• Documentation
• Testing strategy

Token System

export const tokens = {
  colors: {
    primary: {
      50: '#f0f9ff',
      500: '#0ea5e9',
      900: '#0c4a6e',
    },
  },
  spacing: {
    xs: '0.25rem',
    sm: '0.5rem',
    md: '1rem',
  },
};

Component Patterns

Composition

<Card>
  <Card.Header>Title</Card.Header>
  <Card.Body>Content</Card.Body>
  <Card.Footer>Actions</Card.Footer>
</Card>

Variants

Using CVA (Class Variance Authority):

const button = cva("btn", {
  variants: {
    intent: {
      primary: "btn-primary",
      secondary: "btn-secondary",
    },
  },
});

Documentation with Storybook

Essential for:

• Component discovery
• Visual testing
• Usage examples
• Accessibility audits

Accessibility First

Every component must:

• Support keyboard navigation
• Include ARIA labels
• Pass WCAG 2.1 AA standards
• Work with screen readers

Conclusion

A solid design system accelerates development and ensures consistency across your product ecosystem.