[EPIC] Authoring Workflow Transition

[GarthDB]

Epic: Authoring Workflow Transition

Overview

Goal: Transition from Token Studio to schema-based authoring workflow
Source: On-site Day 3 - critical operational requirement
Priority: HIGH - enables new token system
Timeline: Q1 2026 (ESTIMATE for tracking)

Problem Statement

Current Token Studio workflow cannot support:

• Schema validation and enforcement
• Rich metadata and taxonomy
• Platform-specific extensions
• Collaborative review processes
• Automated tooling integration

Strategic Direction (From On-site)

Move to schema-based authoring that supports:

• Real-time validation and feedback
• Collaborative workflows with branching/reviews
• Integration with Figma and platform tooling
• Automated publishing and distribution

Implementation Tasks

• Define authoring workflow requirements (branching, reviews, validation)
• Design schema validation and feedback system
• Create web-based authoring tool or enhance existing tools
• Establish review and approval processes
• Build integration with Figma variable publishing
• Create migration path from Token Studio
• Train team on new workflow
• Establish operational procedures

Key Features Needed

• Real-time schema validation
• Collaborative editing and review
• Integration with governance processes
• Automated Figma variable publishing
• Platform-specific output generation
• Change tracking and versioning

Dependencies

• Schema improvements (Epic [EPIC] Schema & Data Organization Improvements #603) - defines validation rules
• Governance process (Epic [EPIC] Governance Startup - Due Sept 5th #599) - defines review workflow
• Trunk definition (Epic [EPIC] Token System Optimization & Trunk Definition #604) - defines what to author

Migration Strategy

• Freeze new Token Studio work during transition
• Migrate existing tokens to new schema
• Provide validation feedback to designers
• Maintain backward compatibility during transition
• Support teams during workflow change

Success Criteria

• Schema-based authoring workflow operational
• Real-time validation prevents errors
• Collaborative review process working
• Figma integration seamless
• Team trained and productive
• Token Studio fully deprecated

AI Context

Keywords: authoring, workflow, token-studio, schema-validation, figma-integration
Area: tooling
Priority: HIGH
Dependencies: schema-improvements, governance-startup, trunk-definition
Stakeholders: Design team, token authors, platform teams