Tokens

Overview

Design tokens are the platform-agnostic way to manage design decisions in your application or website. It is a collection of attributes that describe any fundamental/atomic visual style. Each attribute is a key-value pair.

Design tokens in Cerberus are largely influenced by the W3C Token Format.

A design token consists of the following properties:

value: The value of the token. This can be any valid CSS value.
description: An optional description of what the token can be used for.

Defining Tokens

Tokens are defined in the under the theme key in your system config.

import { createCerberusConfig, createCerberusPreset } from '@cerberus/panda-preset'
 
export default createCerberusConfig({
  presets: [createCerberusPreset()],
 
  include: ['./app/**/*.{ts,tsx}'],
  exclude: [],
 
  theme: {
    tokens: {
      colors: {
        primary: { value: '#0FEE0F' },
        secondary: { value: '#EE0F0F' },
      },
      fonts: {
        body: { value: 'system-ui, sans-serif' },
      },
      shadows: {
        custom: { value: '0 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)' },
      },
    },
  },
})

Warning

Token values need to be nested in an object with a `value` key. This is to allow for additional properties like `description` and more in the future.

Using Tokens

After defining tokens, we recommend using the Panda CLI to generate theme typings for your tokens.

Terminal

npm panda codegen

Terminal

pnpm panda codegen

Terminal

deno panda npm:codegen

Terminal

bun panda codegen

This will provide autocompletion for your tokens in your editor.

<Box color="primary" fontFamily="body">
  Hello World
</Box>

Token reference syntax

Cerberus enables you to reference design tokens within composite values for CSS properties like border, padding, and box-shadow. This is achieved through the token reference syntax: {path.to.token}.

Note

It is important to use the complete token path; for example, instead of using `red.300`, you must reference it as `colors.red.300`.

Here’s an example where token reference syntax is applied to both the border and p (padding) props:

<Box
  border="1px solid {colors.red.300}"
  p="{spacing.4} {spacing.6} {spacing.8} {spacing.10}"
  boxShadow="{spacing.4} {spacing.2} {spacing.2} {colors.red.300}"
/>

Token Nesting

Tokens can be nested to create a hierarchy of tokens. This is useful when you want to group related tokens together.

Note

Use the `DEFAULT` key to define the default value of a nested token.

export default createCerberusConfig({
  presets: [createCerberusPreset()],
 
  include: ['./app/**/*.{ts,tsx}'],
  exclude: [],
 
  theme: {
    tokens: {
      colors: {
        red: {
          DEFAULT: { value: '#EE0F0F' },
          100: { value: '#EE0F0F' },
        },
      },
      fonts: {
        body: { value: 'system-ui, sans-serif' },
      },
    },
  },
})

<Box
  // 👇🏻 This will use the `DEFAULT` value
  bg="red"
  color="red.100"
>
  Hello World
</Box>

Token Types

Colors

Colors have meaning and support the purpose of the content, communicating things like hierarchy of information, and states. It is mostly defined as a string value or reference to other tokens.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  colors: {
    red: {
      100: { value: '#fff1f0' },
    },
  },
})

Gradients

Gradient tokens represent a smooth transition between two or more colors. Its value can be defined as a string or a composite value.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  gradients: {
    // string value
    simple: { value: 'linear-gradient(to right, red, blue)' },
 
    // composite value
    primary: {
      value: { type: 'linear', placement: 'to right', stops: ['red', 'blue'] },
    },
  },
})

Sizes

Size tokens represent the width and height of an element. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  sizes: {
    sm: { value: '12px' },
  },
})

Size tokens are typically used in width, height, minWidth, maxWidth, minHeight, maxHeight properties.

Spacing

Spacing tokens represent the margin and padding of an element. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  spacing: {
    gutter: { value: '12px' },
  },
})

Spacing tokens are typically used in margin, padding, gap, and {top,right,bottom,left} properties.

Fonts

Font tokens represent the font family of a text element. Its value is defined as a string or an array of strings.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  fonts: {
    body: { value: 'Inter, sans-serif' },
    heading: { value: ['Roboto Mono', 'sans-serif'] },
  },
})

Font tokens are typically used in font-family property.

Font Sizes

Font size tokens represent the size of a text element. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  fontSizes: {
    sm: { value: '12px' },
  },
})

Font size tokens are typically used in font-size property.

Font Weights

Font weight tokens represent the weight of a text element. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  fontWeights: {
    bold: { value: '700' },
  },
})

Font weight tokens are typically used in font-weight property.

Letter Spacings

Letter spacing tokens represent the spacing between letters in a text element. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  letterSpacings: {
    wide: { value: '0.1em' },
  },
})

Letter spacing tokens are typically used in letter-spacing property.

Line Heights

Line height tokens represent the height of a line of text. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  lineHeights: {
    normal: { value: '1.5' },
  },
})

Line height tokens are typically used in line-height property.

Radii

Radii tokens represent the radius of a border. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  radii: {
    sm: { value: '4px' },
  },
})

Radii tokens are typically used in border-radius property.

Borders

A border is a line surrounding a UI element. You can define them as string values or as a composite value

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  borders: {
    // string value
    subtle: { value: '1px solid red' },
    // string value with reference to color token
    danger: { value: '1px solid {colors.red.400}' },
    // composite value
    accent: { value: { width: '1px', color: 'red', style: 'solid' } },
  },
})

Border tokens are typically used in border, border-top, border-right, border-bottom, border-left, outline properties.

Border Widths

Border width tokens represent the width of a border. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  borderWidths: {
    thin: { value: '1px' },
    thick: { value: '2px' },
    medium: { value: '1.5px' },
  },
})

Shadows

Shadow tokens represent the shadow of an element. Its value is defined as single or multiple values containing a string or a composite value.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  shadows: {
    // string value
    subtle: { value: '0 1px 2px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05)' },
    // composite value
    accent: {
      value: {
        offsetX: 0,
        offsetY: 4,
        blur: 4,
        spread: 0,
        color: 'rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)',
      },
    },
    // multiple string values
    realistic: {
      value: ['0 1px 2px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05)', '0 1px 4px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)'],
    },
  },
})

Shadow tokens are typically used in box-shadow property.

Easings

Easing tokens represent the easing function of an animation or transition. Its value is defined as a string or an array of values representing the cubic bezier.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  easings: {
    // string value
    easeIn: { value: 'cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1)' },
    // array value
    easeOut: { value: [0.4, 0, 0.2, 1] },
  },
})

Ease tokens are typically used in transition-timing-function property.

Opacity

Opacity tokens help you set the opacity of an element.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  opacity: {
    50: { value: 0.5 },
  },
})

Opacity tokens are typically used in opacity property.

Z-Index

This token type represents the depth of an element's position on the z-axis.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  zIndex: {
    modal: { value: 1000 },
  },
})

Z-index tokens are typically used in z-index property.

Assets

Asset tokens represent a url or svg string. Its value is defined as a string or a composite value.

type CompositeAsset = { type: 'url' | 'svg'; value: string }
type Asset = string | CompositeAsset

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  tokens: {
    assets: {
      logo: {
        value: { type: 'url', value: '/static/logo.png' },
      },
      checkmark: {
        value: { type: 'svg', value: '<svg>...</svg>' },
      },
    },
  },
})

Asset tokens are typically used in background-image property.

Durations

Duration tokens represent the length of time in milliseconds an animation or animation cycle takes to complete. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  durations: {
    fast: { value: '100ms' },
  },
})

Duration tokens are typically used in transition-duration and animation-duration properties.

Animations

Animation tokens represent a keyframe animation. Its value is defined as a string value.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  animations: {
    spin: {
      value: 'spin 1s linear infinite',
    },
  },
})

Animation tokens are typically used in animation property.

Aspect Ratios

Aspect ratio tokens represent the aspect ratio of an element. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  aspectRatios: {
    '1:1': { value: '1 / 1' },
    '16:9': { value: '16 / 9' },
  },
})

Overview

Design tokens in Cerberus are largely influenced by the W3C Token Format.

A design token consists of the following properties:

value: The value of the token. This can be any valid CSS value.
description: An optional description of what the token can be used for.

Defining Tokens

Tokens are defined in the under the theme key in your system config.

import { createCerberusConfig, createCerberusPreset } from '@cerberus/panda-preset'
 
export default createCerberusConfig({
  presets: [createCerberusPreset()],
 
  include: ['./app/**/*.{ts,tsx}'],
  exclude: [],
 
  theme: {
    tokens: {
      colors: {
        primary: { value: '#0FEE0F' },
        secondary: { value: '#EE0F0F' },
      },
      fonts: {
        body: { value: 'system-ui, sans-serif' },
      },
      shadows: {
        custom: { value: '0 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)' },
      },
    },
  },
})

Warning

Token values need to be nested in an object with a `value` key. This is to allow for additional properties like `description` and more in the future.

Using Tokens

After defining tokens, we recommend using the Panda CLI to generate theme typings for your tokens.

Terminal

npm panda codegen

Terminal

pnpm panda codegen

Terminal

deno panda npm:codegen

Terminal

bun panda codegen

This will provide autocompletion for your tokens in your editor.

<Box color="primary" fontFamily="body">
  Hello World
</Box>

Token reference syntax

Note

It is important to use the complete token path; for example, instead of using `red.300`, you must reference it as `colors.red.300`.

Here’s an example where token reference syntax is applied to both the border and p (padding) props:

<Box
  border="1px solid {colors.red.300}"
  p="{spacing.4} {spacing.6} {spacing.8} {spacing.10}"
  boxShadow="{spacing.4} {spacing.2} {spacing.2} {colors.red.300}"
/>

Token Nesting

Tokens can be nested to create a hierarchy of tokens. This is useful when you want to group related tokens together.

Note

Use the `DEFAULT` key to define the default value of a nested token.

export default createCerberusConfig({
  presets: [createCerberusPreset()],
 
  include: ['./app/**/*.{ts,tsx}'],
  exclude: [],
 
  theme: {
    tokens: {
      colors: {
        red: {
          DEFAULT: { value: '#EE0F0F' },
          100: { value: '#EE0F0F' },
        },
      },
      fonts: {
        body: { value: 'system-ui, sans-serif' },
      },
    },
  },
})

<Box
  // 👇🏻 This will use the `DEFAULT` value
  bg="red"
  color="red.100"
>
  Hello World
</Box>

Token Types

Colors

Colors have meaning and support the purpose of the content, communicating things like hierarchy of information, and states. It is mostly defined as a string value or reference to other tokens.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  colors: {
    red: {
      100: { value: '#fff1f0' },
    },
  },
})

Gradients

Gradient tokens represent a smooth transition between two or more colors. Its value can be defined as a string or a composite value.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  gradients: {
    // string value
    simple: { value: 'linear-gradient(to right, red, blue)' },
 
    // composite value
    primary: {
      value: { type: 'linear', placement: 'to right', stops: ['red', 'blue'] },
    },
  },
})

Sizes

Size tokens represent the width and height of an element. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  sizes: {
    sm: { value: '12px' },
  },
})

Size tokens are typically used in width, height, minWidth, maxWidth, minHeight, maxHeight properties.

Spacing

Spacing tokens represent the margin and padding of an element. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  spacing: {
    gutter: { value: '12px' },
  },
})

Spacing tokens are typically used in margin, padding, gap, and {top,right,bottom,left} properties.

Fonts

Font tokens represent the font family of a text element. Its value is defined as a string or an array of strings.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  fonts: {
    body: { value: 'Inter, sans-serif' },
    heading: { value: ['Roboto Mono', 'sans-serif'] },
  },
})

Font tokens are typically used in font-family property.

Font Sizes

Font size tokens represent the size of a text element. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  fontSizes: {
    sm: { value: '12px' },
  },
})

Font size tokens are typically used in font-size property.

Font Weights

Font weight tokens represent the weight of a text element. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  fontWeights: {
    bold: { value: '700' },
  },
})

Font weight tokens are typically used in font-weight property.

Letter Spacings

Letter spacing tokens represent the spacing between letters in a text element. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  letterSpacings: {
    wide: { value: '0.1em' },
  },
})

Letter spacing tokens are typically used in letter-spacing property.

Line Heights

Line height tokens represent the height of a line of text. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  lineHeights: {
    normal: { value: '1.5' },
  },
})

Line height tokens are typically used in line-height property.

Radii

Radii tokens represent the radius of a border. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  radii: {
    sm: { value: '4px' },
  },
})

Radii tokens are typically used in border-radius property.

Borders

A border is a line surrounding a UI element. You can define them as string values or as a composite value

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  borders: {
    // string value
    subtle: { value: '1px solid red' },
    // string value with reference to color token
    danger: { value: '1px solid {colors.red.400}' },
    // composite value
    accent: { value: { width: '1px', color: 'red', style: 'solid' } },
  },
})

Border tokens are typically used in border, border-top, border-right, border-bottom, border-left, outline properties.

Border Widths

Border width tokens represent the width of a border. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  borderWidths: {
    thin: { value: '1px' },
    thick: { value: '2px' },
    medium: { value: '1.5px' },
  },
})

Shadows

Shadow tokens represent the shadow of an element. Its value is defined as single or multiple values containing a string or a composite value.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  shadows: {
    // string value
    subtle: { value: '0 1px 2px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05)' },
    // composite value
    accent: {
      value: {
        offsetX: 0,
        offsetY: 4,
        blur: 4,
        spread: 0,
        color: 'rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)',
      },
    },
    // multiple string values
    realistic: {
      value: ['0 1px 2px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05)', '0 1px 4px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)'],
    },
  },
})

Shadow tokens are typically used in box-shadow property.

Easings

Easing tokens represent the easing function of an animation or transition. Its value is defined as a string or an array of values representing the cubic bezier.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  easings: {
    // string value
    easeIn: { value: 'cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1)' },
    // array value
    easeOut: { value: [0.4, 0, 0.2, 1] },
  },
})

Ease tokens are typically used in transition-timing-function property.

Opacity

Opacity tokens help you set the opacity of an element.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  opacity: {
    50: { value: 0.5 },
  },
})

Opacity tokens are typically used in opacity property.

Z-Index

This token type represents the depth of an element's position on the z-axis.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  zIndex: {
    modal: { value: 1000 },
  },
})

Z-index tokens are typically used in z-index property.

Assets

Asset tokens represent a url or svg string. Its value is defined as a string or a composite value.

type CompositeAsset = { type: 'url' | 'svg'; value: string }
type Asset = string | CompositeAsset

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  tokens: {
    assets: {
      logo: {
        value: { type: 'url', value: '/static/logo.png' },
      },
      checkmark: {
        value: { type: 'svg', value: '<svg>...</svg>' },
      },
    },
  },
})

Asset tokens are typically used in background-image property.

Durations

Duration tokens represent the length of time in milliseconds an animation or animation cycle takes to complete. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  durations: {
    fast: { value: '100ms' },
  },
})

Duration tokens are typically used in transition-duration and animation-duration properties.

Animations

Animation tokens represent a keyframe animation. Its value is defined as a string value.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  animations: {
    spin: {
      value: 'spin 1s linear infinite',
    },
  },
})

Animation tokens are typically used in animation property.

Aspect Ratios

Aspect ratio tokens represent the aspect ratio of an element. Its value is defined as a string.

import { defineTokens } from '@pandacss/dev'
 
export const tokens = defineTokens({
  aspectRatios: {
    '1:1': { value: '1 / 1' },
    '16:9': { value: '16 / 9' },
  },
})