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Question

Pattern source not respecting variables

  • November 6, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 75 views
Lazar_Jovanovic

When using an element as a pattern source, the pattern currently doesn’t respond to variables applied to that source - for example, if the source element uses color variables that switch between light and dark mode, the pattern doesn’t update when the consuming frame changes modes. It seems the pattern references only the visible state of the source rather than the variable-driven values.

It would be great if patterns could follow the variables applied to their source, so that they update correctly with light and dark modes.

    3 replies

    djv
    Figmate
    • djv
    • Community Support
    • November 18, 2025

    Hi ​@Lazar_Jovanovic, thanks for flagging this and apologies for the delayed reply! 

    Our team confirmed that this is a known, long-standing bug that they’re still trying to investigate and fix.
    While I don’t have an exact timeline I can share on a fix right now, rest-assured that it’s on their radar for improvement. 

      Kamil18
      • Kamil18
      • New Member
      • February 3, 2026

      In our team we have the same problem, still doesn’t work... Pattern color is set as switchable variable color.
      Feature unusable, so we cannot develop vector patterns in our design system :(

       

        Kerry_Johnson
        • Kerry_Johnson
        • New Participant
        • March 18, 2026

        I noticed that it works when mode is applied at a page level, but not at any other level.

        It seems when selecting the pattern source, it just keeps it as a reference, as if living on its own island, so the variables don’t actually apply down and repoint based on whatever mode the parent is.

        This essentially kills dynamic pattern colorization and I’m glad it’s recognized as a bug!

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