Skip to content
Synchronicity

Component Lifecycle

All components in the Synchronicity Design System follow a clear lifecycle from initial development to stable release. This ensures predictability when integrating components and sets clear expectations for API stability.

Lifecycle Stages

Section titled “Lifecycle Stages”

🟢 Stable

Section titled “🟢 Stable”

Production ready with guaranteed API stability.

  • Fully tested across iOS and Android
  • Complete documentation with examples
  • Accessibility audit passed (WCAG 2.1 AA)
  • API frozen, only receives bug fixes
  • Follows semantic versioning for updates
  • Safe for production use

Breaking changes require a major version bump and deprecation period.

🟡 Beta

Section titled “🟡 Beta”

Feature complete, undergoing user testing.

  • API is stable but may receive minor adjustments
  • Documentation complete
  • Most testing complete, edge cases being validated
  • Accessibility tested
  • Safe for non-critical features
  • Feedback actively incorporated

Use when: You want early access to new components and can tolerate minor API changes.

🔵 Alpha

Section titled “🔵 Alpha”

Feature complete, API may change significantly.

  • Core functionality implemented
  • Basic documentation available
  • API subject to breaking changes without warning
  • Testing in progress
  • Use with caution
  • Expect bugs and rough edges

Use when: You’re actively collaborating on development or need bleeding-edge features.

⚪ Draft

Section titled “⚪ Draft”

In active development, highly unstable.

  • Experimental implementation
  • API unstable and changing rapidly
  • Limited or no documentation
  • Not recommended for any production use
  • May be removed without notice
  • Proof of concept stage

Use when: You’re contributing to development or exploring future direction.

🔴 Deprecated

Section titled “🔴 Deprecated”

Scheduled for removal, use alternative instead.

  • No longer maintained
  • Will be removed in next major version
  • Migration guide provided
  • Security fixes only
  • Alternative component recommended
  • 6-month deprecation period minimum

Action required: Migrate to suggested alternative before next major version.

Versioning Strategy

Section titled “Versioning Strategy”

Synchronicity follows Semantic Versioning 2.0.0:

Major Version (X.0.0)

Section titled “Major Version (X.0.0)”
  • Breaking API changes
  • Component removals
  • Token restructuring
  • New required dependencies

Example: variant prop renamed to type

Minor Version (0.X.0)

Section titled “Minor Version (0.X.0)”
  • New components
  • New features (backward compatible)
  • New props with defaults
  • Performance improvements

Example: Adding pill prop to Button with default false

Patch Version (0.0.X)

Section titled “Patch Version (0.0.X)”
  • Bug fixes
  • Documentation updates
  • Internal refactoring
  • Accessibility improvements (non-breaking)

Example: Fixing focus indicator color in dark theme

Component Maturity Checklist

Section titled “Component Maturity Checklist”

Before a component reaches stable status, it must pass:

Code Quality

Section titled “Code Quality”
  • 100% TypeScript coverage
  • All variants implemented
  • All size options functional
  • Error states handled
  • Loading states (if applicable)
  • Design tokens used exclusively (no hardcoded values)

Testing

Section titled “Testing”
  • Unit tests for all props
  • Interaction tests (press, focus, blur)
  • Accessibility tests
  • Theme switching verified
  • iOS tested (simulator + device)
  • Android tested (emulator + device)

Accessibility

Section titled “Accessibility”
  • WCAG 2.1 AA compliant
  • Touch targets ≥ 44×44pt
  • Color contrast verified (all themes)
  • Screen reader tested (VoiceOver + TalkBack)
  • Keyboard navigation (where applicable)
  • Focus indicators visible (2px)
  • Proper ARIA roles and labels

Documentation

Section titled “Documentation”
  • Overview and purpose clear
  • All variants documented with examples
  • Props table complete
  • Usage guidelines (Do/Don’t)
  • Accessibility section
  • 3+ code examples
  • Token reference
  • Complete example

Review

Section titled “Review”
  • Design review approved
  • API review approved
  • Accessibility audit passed
  • Cross-platform tested
  • No console warnings

Component Status Tracking

Section titled “Component Status Tracking”

Components follow a clear maturity progression:

  • 🟢 Stable: Production ready with guaranteed API stability
  • 🟡 Beta: Feature complete, undergoing user testing
  • 🔵 Alpha: Feature complete but API may change
  • ⚪ Draft: In active development, unstable
  • 🔴 Deprecated: Scheduled for removal

Use this information to:

  • Assess production readiness
  • Plan upgrade paths
  • Understand API stability guarantees
  • Identify components needing alternatives

Migration Guides

Section titled “Migration Guides”

When components are deprecated, migration guides are provided:

Example: Button kind → variant

Section titled “Example: Button kind → variant”

Deprecated in: 2.0.0 Removed in: 3.0.0 Alternative: Use variant prop instead

// ❌ Old (deprecated)
<Button kind="primary">Submit</Button>


// ✅ New (stable)
<Button variant="primary">Submit</Button>

Automated migration:

Terminal window
npx @synchronicity/codemod button-kind-to-variant

Contributing to Lifecycle

Section titled “Contributing to Lifecycle”

Want to help advance components through lifecycle stages?

  1. Testing: Use components in real projects, report issues
  2. Feedback: Share API improvement ideas
  3. Documentation: Submit examples and use cases
  4. Accessibility: Test with screen readers, report issues
  5. Code: Submit PRs for bug fixes or features

See CONTRIBUTING.md for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Section titled “Frequently Asked Questions”

Can I use beta components in production?

Section titled “Can I use beta components in production?”

Yes, if you accept the risk of minor API changes. Beta components are feature-complete and tested, but may receive small API adjustments based on user feedback.

How long is the deprecation period?

Section titled “How long is the deprecation period?”

Minimum 6 months and one major version. Security fixes are provided during this period.

What happens to alpha components?

Section titled “What happens to alpha components?”

They may graduate to beta after testing, remain in alpha for extended development, or be removed if they don’t meet quality standards.

How do I track component status changes?

Section titled “How do I track component status changes?”

Can stable components change?

Section titled “Can stable components change?”

Only through patch/minor versions for bug fixes and backward-compatible improvements. Breaking changes require a new major version and deprecation period.

Section titled “Related”