Why Design Patterns Matter

Design systems succeed when they provide consistent, predictable patterns that teams can rely on. These patterns aren't just about code organization—they're about creating mental models that scale across teams, products, and time.

Headless Logic

Separate behavior from presentation for maximum flexibility and testability.

Context Providers

Orchestrate complex state and behavior through React context patterns.

Slotting & Composition

Build flexible, customizable components through strategic slot placement.

Command Registry

Create consistent, discoverable APIs through command-based patterns.

Schema-First Design

Define contracts that ensure consistency across implementations.

Engine Adapters

Abstract vendor-specific implementations behind stable interfaces.

Headless Logic Pattern

Headless logic separates the behavior and state management from the visual presentation. This pattern enables maximum flexibility while maintaining consistent behavior across different visual implementations.

When to Use Headless Logic

  • Complex state management that needs to be shared
  • Behavior that should be testable in isolation
  • Components that need multiple visual variants
  • Logic that should be reusable across different UI frameworks

Real Examples in Our System

  • useOtp - OTP input behavior and validation
  • useWalkthrough - Tour navigation and state management
  • useToolbar - Dynamic toolbar layout and overflow
  • usePagination - Page calculation and navigation logic
  • useRTE - Rich text editor state and commands
  • useField - Form field validation and associations

Context Provider Pattern

Context providers orchestrate complex state and behavior, providing a clean API for consuming components while maintaining encapsulation and performance.

Provider Benefits

  • Centralized state management
  • Clean component APIs
  • Performance optimization through context boundaries
  • Easier testing and debugging

Provider vs Direct Props

Use providers when you have complex state that needs to be shared across multiple components, or when the component tree becomes unwieldy with prop drilling.

Slotting & Composition Pattern

Slotting allows components to accept custom content in specific areas, enabling maximum flexibility while maintaining consistent structure and behavior.

Slot Design Principles

  • Named slots for specific purposes
  • Default implementations for common cases
  • Clear boundaries between slots
  • Consistent naming conventions

When to Slot vs Configure

Use slots when you need to replace entire sections of UI. Use configuration props for simple variations like colors, sizes, or text content.

Command Registry Pattern

Command registries provide a consistent, discoverable API for complex operations. They make behavior explicit and testable while enabling powerful composition patterns.

Command Benefits

  • Consistent API surface
  • Easy to test and mock
  • Composable and extensible
  • Clear separation of concerns

Registry Design

Organize commands by domain (inline, block, list, etc.) and provide clear naming conventions. Commands should be pure functions that return success/failure.

Schema-First Design

Schemas define the contract between different parts of your system, ensuring consistency and enabling powerful tooling and validation.

Schema Benefits

  • Clear contracts between systems
  • Automatic validation and type safety
  • Better tooling and developer experience
  • Easier evolution and migration

Schema Evolution

Design schemas to be extensible. Use versioning strategies and migration paths to handle breaking changes gracefully.

Engine Adapter Pattern

Adapters abstract vendor-specific implementations behind stable interfaces, enabling you to swap implementations without changing your core logic.

When to Use Adapters

  • Multiple implementation options
  • Vendor lock-in concerns
  • Testing and mocking needs
  • Performance optimization requirements

Adapter Design

Define a minimal, stable interface that captures the essential behavior. Keep vendor-specific details in the adapter implementation.

Validation & Governance

Automated validation ensures your design system maintains quality and consistency as it scales. Governance patterns help teams make the right decisions.

What to Validate

  • Component structure and exports
  • Token usage and naming
  • Accessibility requirements
  • API contracts and schemas

Governance Strategies

  • Automated linting and testing
  • Design review processes
  • Documentation requirements
  • Breaking change policies
export default function App(): JSX.Element {
  return <h1>Hello world</h1>
}
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