Terrazzo

Terrazzo is a free collection of open-source tools for creating and managing design systems, with design-token work centered on a CLI. It reads DTCG token JSON and generates code for outputs such as CSS, Sass, JavaScript, and TypeScript; the CLI can run manually or in continuous integration. Lint rules can check token format, naming consistency, duplicate values, color gamut, and accessibility criteria including minimum contrast and font size. Documented integrations cover CSS, JavaScript, JSON or native output, Sass, Tailwind, and Vanilla Extract. The Tailwind plugin creates a Tailwind v4 theme from DTCG tokens. The CLI can export Figma Variables and Styles to resolver JSON, with a Figma account and authentication token required for import. Configuration accepts JSON, JSONC, and YAML token files. The Swift plugin generates Swift asset catalogs but is experimental. Terrazzo began as Cobalt in 2021, and its tools are free under the MIT license. Design Lab is listed as coming soon.

Terrazzo offers token generation, linting, and integrations in a free, open-source tool collection. Note the experimental Swift plugin and the authentication requirements for Figma import.

Terrazzo suits design-system teams that manage design tokens and want CLI-based code generation and linting. Its tools are free to use and self-hosted.

Terrazzo is a free, open-source collection of tools for creating and managing design systems. It is best suited to teams that work with design-token files and want to generate code or check token quality in their development workflow. Its command-line tools cover a useful range of formats and integrations, while the Swift plugin remains experimental.

Overview

Terrazzo centers design-system work on tokens that can be managed and versioned, synced with design tools and code, and hosted by the team. Its CLI can run by hand or in continuous integration, making it a fit for teams that want token generation and checks to sit alongside their existing development process. The project began as Cobalt in 2021 and is built by Drew, Nick, and other contributors.

The homepage lists Design Lab as coming soon. Teams looking for a finished visual workspace should not count on it as a current capability.

Key features

Token generation and linting

The CLI turns DTCG design-token JSON into CSS, Sass, JavaScript, or TypeScript. Teams can use it to generate platform code from a shared token source, then run lint rules to catch format problems, inconsistent naming, duplicate values, color-gamut issues, and accessibility concerns such as minimum contrast and font size. That combination is useful when token quality needs to be checked as part of a code workflow; the CLI-centered approach is a weaker fit for teams seeking a graphical authoring process.

Formats, integrations, and starting points

Configuration accepts JSON, JSONC, and YAML token files. Documented integrations include CSS, JavaScript, JSON or native output, Sass, Tailwind, and Vanilla Extract. The Tailwind plugin generates a Tailwind v4 theme from DTCG tokens, giving teams already using that framework a direct route from token definitions to a theme.

Projects can start from systems including Adobe Spectrum, Apple Human Interface Guidelines, GitHub Primer, IBM Carbon, Figma Simple Design System, Salesforce Lightning, Shopify Polaris, and Radix. The CLI can also export Figma Variables and Styles to resolver JSON, but importing requires a Figma account and authentication token. Swift asset-catalog generation is offered through an experimental plugin, so teams that depend on a stable Swift output path should be cautious about relying on it.

Pricing

Terrazzo costs nothing, and the plan is free to use forever. Its tools are MIT-licensed and open source. Token management, design-tool sync, code sync, and versioning are included, with self-hosted hosting. There are no paid tiers or usage caps stated for this plan, so it suits teams that want to manage and generate tokens without a subscription. Self-hosting means the workflow is not centered on hosted project infrastructure.

Platforms

Terrazzo is listed for iOS, macOS, and the web. Its documented token workflow uses a CLI, with platform code generation including CSS, Sass, JavaScript, and TypeScript. Swift output is available through an experimental plugin.

Who it's for

Terrazzo is a strong choice for teams that already maintain design tokens in files and want code generation, linting, versioning, and design-tool sync in a free, self-hosted tool collection. The CI option is especially relevant when teams want token checks to run with their development process. Teams that need a current visual workspace or rely on production-ready Swift asset catalogs should consider another workflow.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The forever-free, MIT-licensed tools include token management, design-tool sync, code sync, and versioning, with no paid tier stated.
• Pros: Generation and lint rules cover multiple code formats and check consistency, duplicates, color gamut, and accessibility criteria.
• Pros: Tailwind v4 theme generation and project starting points from several established design systems can reduce setup work for compatible projects.
• Cons: Figma import requires both a Figma account and an authentication token.
• Cons: Swift generation is experimental, which makes it a less dependable choice for teams whose workflow relies on Swift asset catalogs.
• Cons: Design Lab is coming soon, leaving teams seeking a current visual workspace without that option.

Alternatives

Design Tokens may suit teams seeking a Figma-focused workspace with variable sync and CSS/Sass export; its free plan caps workspaces at two, users at two, and themes at three per workspace. For a locally managed, open-source CLI that works without an account, Particles UI is another option. Carbon Design System is a free, open-source design system for anyone to use and contribute to.

Zaklad, Bezel, Spec Layer, Tokenbase, and Fenly are other options to compare. See the broader Design System Software category for more choices.

Verdict

Choose Terrazzo if your team wants free, open-source token generation, linting, and integrations in a self-hosted workflow that can run in CI. Its breadth of formats and token checks make it a practical fit for code-oriented design-system work. Look elsewhere if you need a current visual workspace or dependable Swift generation.