ADR: Token variable architecture — code / output layer

[eddiman]

Description

Write the ADR defining the code / output architecture that consumes the Figma variable structure (see the Figma-structure ADR under #4963): Tokens Studio export, build pipeline, and the CSS + TypeScript output shape.

Parent: #4963. Depends on the Figma-structure ADR and the Tokens Studio exploration (#4800, Marco Krenn sessions). To be written once the first CSS/TS export cycle has run — the direction is still firming, so it is deliberately not folded into the Figma ADR.

Scope (to decide)

• Output targets: CSS custom properties + nested TypeScript module from one source.
• Path → nesting / naming transform (slash to nested keys, hyphen to camelCase, digit-leading tiers to JS-safe keys).
• One resolved tree per density mode.
• How the generator composes Font into typography; how body (ui × 1.5) is emitted.
• CSS specificity strategy (@layer vs :where()).
• Source-of-truth: Tokens Studio vs Figma; CLI / local validation; CI sync.
• Design vs. code ownership boundary.

Definition of Done

• ADR written (Markdown in docs/architecture-decisions/)
• Reviewed by design + engineering
• Agreed as the shared model for the token build/output

[claude]

These issues appear closely related to this ADR on the token code/output layer:

• ADR: Token variable architecture — Figma structure (typography & spacing) #5139 — ADR: Token variable architecture — Figma structure (typography & spacing) (open): the sibling ADR under the same parent that this one explicitly depends on — it defines the Figma variable structure this output layer consumes.
• Establish a new Token build & publishing pipeline #5108 — Establish a new Token build & publishing pipeline (open): directly overlaps this ADR's scope for the Tokens Studio export, build pipeline, and CI sync of the CSS/TS output.
• Define the Token Variable Architecture (Figma + code ADRs) #4963 — Define the Token Variable Architecture (open): the parent epic tying together the Figma-structure, colour, and code/output ADRs.

This comment was generated by an LLM and may be inaccurate. Please verify that the linked issues are actually relevant.