Token Storage and Sync
JSONBin

JSONBin sync setup guide

JSONBin provides a simple REST interface to store & retrieve your JSON data from the cloud.

You can use the Tokens Studio plugin native integration with JSONBin to sync your Design Tokens JSON files with code.

Tokens Studio supports two-way sync, meaning you can use the plugin to:

  • push JSON files of Design Tokens to JSONBin
  • pull the Tokens stored in JSONBin into any Figma file

This means the Design Tokens living in code are the source of truth for our design decisions, which can be shared between design and development teams.

This doc outlines how to set up JSONBin as a Sync provider in the Tokens Studio plugin.

→ Once set up, you can use the plugin's Push and Pull features to keep your Tokens in sync.

How it works

  • Set up a bin and API key in JSONBin
  • Configure JSONBin as a sync provider within the Tokens Studio plugin.
  • Use the plugin to sync your Design Tokens between the JSONBin and Figma design files.

JSONBin setup instructions

If you haven't already, sign up for a JSONBin account at JSONBin.

1. Create a new bin

Once you've logged in to your JSONBin account:

  • Create a new bin dedicated to storing and managing your Design Tokens.
    • Choose a descriptive name for your project that is specific to its purpose and is memorable.
  • Follow JSONBin's prompts to create your new bin.

You are now looking at your new bin! Well done!

Save the ID of the bin somewhere safe, as it's needed for the plugin configuration.

2. Generate an API key

The API key is generated from JSONBin, and acts as a passcode that allows the Tokens Studio plugin to connect to your JSONBin account.

Log into your JSONBin account:

  • Navigate to your JSONBin account settings
  • Locate the API Key section
  • Select Create Access Key
    • Add a Name of what the Token is for.
      • Example: test-Token repo sync to Tokens studio
    • Select the permissions for the Bin using the checkboxes
      • Full permissions for the plugin would be create, read, update, and delete
  • Select Save Access Key
  • Save the generated key somewhere safe as it's needed for the plugin configuration.

You're ready to configure the Tokens Studio plugin in Figma!

Configuring Tokens Studio Plugin

In Figma, open the Tokens Studio plugin and navigate to the Settings page using the navigation tab.

  • Under the Sync providers section, select the Add new button to see a list of all Token storage providers
  • Select JSONBin

3. Add credentials for JSONBin

You'll need the information saved from the steps above to complete the JSONBin sync configuration form.

1. Name

This is a nickname that shows up in the plugin settings page later on to identify this specific sync provider configuration.

  • Choose something memorable to you and your project.
  • Example: radix ui components

2. API Key

The API Key you saved from the steps above.

3. ID (optional)

Enter the ID of the bin you created and saved from the steps above.

  • If this is empty, Tokens Studio will create a new bin for you.

Save and do the initial sync

Save to confirm your credentials, and then follow the plugin's prompts to finish setting up the JSONBin sync.

→ Read the Add New Sync Provider guide for more details.

Shared source of truth

As you work in the plugin, push and pull indicators remind you to stay in sync with your JSONbin.

→ Read the Push and Pull to Sync Provider guide for more details.

Once your Token JSON files are synced to JSONbin, you have a shared source of truth between Designers and Engineers!

Engineers typically transform Tokens used in code with Style Dictionary, which is tool-agnostic. Tokens coming from Tokens Studio require an additional step: @Tokens-studio/sd-transforms, an npm package that prepares Tokens for Style Dictionary.

The various Token Types supported by Tokens Studio have unique transforms to be aware of.

→ Jump to the Token Type overview.

Resources

Mentioned in this doc:

Community resources:

  • None yet!

💡 Something to share? Submit it here!

Known issues and bugs

Tokens Studio Plugin GitHub - Open issues for Sync JSONbin

  • JSONBin not updating if JSON is manually added #2283
    • If you paste a JSON file in the plugin and save, you then need to click 'apply to' for the JSONBin to update.

🐞 If you are experiencing an issue not listed here, please reach out to us on the Troubleshooting channel of our community Slack, or submit it on our feedback tool.

Requests, roadmap and changelog

💌 Visit https://feedback.Tokens.studio/ to contribute or subscribe to updates.

Gitlab
Supernova