GitHub sync reference
How GitHub sync works in Tokens Studio, with a field-by-field reference for the credentials form.
Last updated: 18 July 2026
This page explains how GitHub sync works and documents every field in the Tokens Studio credentials form. If you just want to get connected, follow the setup guide.
How GitHub sync works
GitHub is a Git-based repository hosting service and the source of truth for DS3 design tokens as well as the project's design tokens. The Tokens Studio plugin connects to the repos through a native two-way sync, so the same token files power both design and development.
Once connected you can:
- Push token JSON files from Figma to GitHub
- Pull tokens stored in GitHub into any Figma file
Because the tokens live in GitHub, the repository (not any individual Figma file) holds the source of truth for design decisions. Everyone pulls from the same place, and changes flow back through the same place.
Credentials reference
These are the fields in the Add new sync provider form when you choose GitHub. You fill them in once per Figma file.
Name
A nickname for this sync configuration, shown in the plugin settings so you can identify it later. Use the same name as the repository. For example dawn-design for the DS3 design repo, or [product]-design for a product design repo.
Personal Access Token
The PAT generated for your personal Dawn GitHub account. It lets the plugin authenticate on your behalf, so treat it like a password: do not share it!
Generating a PAT
See Generate a Personal Access Token for how to create one with the right scope.
Repository
The owner/repo portion of the repository URL, taken from everything after github.com/. For the URL https://github.com/DawnHealthGit/dawn-design, you would enter:
DawnHealthGit/dawn-designBranch
The branch that tokens are pushed to and pulled from. At Dawn this is usually:
masterIf you are unsure which branch to target, ask your Design System Designer or the engineers who consume the tokens.
Token storage location
Tokens Studio can store token JSON two ways: as a single combined file, or as a folder of multiple files. At Dawn we use folder storage so that engineers can consume tokens directly from GitHub and so the Themes feature works. Enter the folder name:
tokensPro licence required
Multi-file sync to remote storage needs a Tokens Studio Pro licence. Without one, you have read-only access to the tokens. Request a licence through ServiceDesk or your manager if you need to push changes.
Base URL
Not used at Dawn. Leave this field empty.