Theme is a mode
A theme is a mode on the Semantic token collection, never a component variant. In code it is the data-theme attribute; in Figma it is a mode on the Semantic collection. One switch re-themes the entire surface — you never swap component instances.
One frame, three modes
Section titled “One frame, three modes”The same Foundations board, re-themed by switching the Semantic mode:
Why this matters
Section titled “Why this matters”- No duplicated component sets per theme — lower maintenance, no drift.
- Mode switching is instant and total.
- Mono is the accessibility proof: if meaning survives with color stripped, the design never relied on color alone.