Day 2 of Living Documentation - Contextualizing Radix Color Scales

Another day in improving the design system documentation applying Living Documentation steps. Focused on making Radix color scales more contextual for the team.

Make it make sense for your team

While Radix provides excellent documentation, there's often a disconnect when team members need to constantly switch between external resources and our internal design system. This context-switching can lead to reduced productivity and potential misalignment in implementation.

The Solution

I undertook the task of translating Radix's color scale documentation into the design system's context. This involved:

1. Preserving the core information while adapting it to the system's visual language

2. Maintaining references to original Radix documentation for deep dives

3. Using raw foundation values to explain Radix's scale functionality

4. Creating a clear path for future token implementation

The Process

The documentation process followed these steps:

• Initial structure creation based on Radix's information architecture

• Content translation while maintaining technical accuracy

• Integration of actual Radix color scale values for demonstration

• Preparation for future token mapping and scale implementation

Impact

This documentation approach offers several benefits:

• Reduces context switching for developers and designers

• Maintains visual consistency with our design system

• Creates a stronger connection between external tools and internal implementation

• Provides a foundation for future token mapping

The key learning here is that effective design system documentation isn't just about information transfer - it's about creating bridges between external tools and internal practices while maintaining a cohesive experience.