How do you manage versions, releases, and migration?
Explain changes and their impact so existing pages can adopt new rules gradually.
Versions and release records help users understand changes to shared resources. Migration updates pages from old rules to new ones and needs clear impact and checking guidance.
Keep these basics in mind
- A version identifies a resource state. A changelog describes additions, adjustments, fixes, or removals.
- Compatibility means existing usage continues to work. A breaking change invalidates or significantly changes it.
- Deprecation announces that an old approach is no longer recommended or will lose support. Usually provide alternatives and a transition plan.
- Check affected pages before adoption. Design assets and code both need corresponding release guidance.
See Figma’s library-update guide for adoption and its component-management guidance for impact and communication of breaking changes.
Release and migrate
Illustrative release record
These are teaching examples, not this project’s release history.
| Change | Effect on existing pages | Before adoption |
|---|---|---|
| Repair button focus | Clearer position indicator | Recheck keyboard paths |
| Add optional guidance | Existing pages can stay as they are | Adopt when needed |
| Remove an old option | Existing usage may fail | Find and replace usage |
Walk through an example
The team plans to remove an old button size. They locate usage, provide a replacement and migration guidance, and first try an invitation page. After confirming long text and narrow-window behaviour, they update other pages gradually. A clear transition remains until completion rather than abruptly removing a useful old option.
Limits and common misunderstandings
A successful release does not mean every page has updated. Adopting a new design file does not establish that live code has been released. Version numbering can vary, but meaning and impact should be clear. Do not skip real-page checks to meet a version deadline.