File Duplication with Canonical Component Linking

Canonical Component Library for Splitting All-In-One Files

Problem:

When starting with a single, comprehensive Figma file that contains both design elements and components (such as Design WIP Page, Component Library Page, and Design System Page, etc etc), duplicating this file and organising it into multiple files results in each file referencing its own local component library. This creates a significant challenge in maintaining a single source of truth for components across different files, as every new file duplicates the components locally rather than referencing a central library.

Proposed Solution:

Introduce a feature in Figma that allows users to easily duplicate an “all-in-one” type master files, and then split it into multiple files (Design WIP file, Component Library file, Design System file, etc.), with the ability to set one of these files as the canonical component library. The duplicated files would automatically update to reference the components from the selected master file, ensuring all future design files rely on the single canonical library rather than duplicating components locally.

Key Features:

  1. File Duplication with Canonical Component Linking:

When duplicating a master file, allow users to designate one of the duplicated files as the canonical component library.

Wait what? It’s called publishing a library. Once published you can use its assets in many other files.