Version Control Strategy

What You Do

What to Version

• Design files (Figma, Sketch, etc.)
• Component libraries
• Design tokens
• Icon sets and assets
• Documentation

Versioning Approaches

Design Files

• Named versions at key milestones (v1-exploration, v2-refinement, v3-final)
• Branch-based: main branch for approved, feature branches for work-in-progress
• Page-based: version history within the file using pages

Component Libraries

• Semantic versioning (major.minor.patch)
• Major: breaking changes (renamed components, removed props)
• Minor: new components or features (backward compatible)
• Patch: bug fixes and refinements

Design Tokens

• Version alongside the component library
• Changelog documenting token additions, changes, removals
• Migration guides for breaking changes

Branching Strategy

• Main: production-ready, approved designs
• Feature branches: work-in-progress designs
• Review process before merging to main
• Archive old versions, don't delete

Changelog Practices

• Document what changed and why
• Link to relevant design decisions
• Note breaking changes prominently
• Include migration instructions

Best Practices

• Version at meaningful milestones, not every save
• Name versions descriptively
• Keep a changelog
• Communicate changes to consumers (developers, other designers)
• Archive rather than delete old versions