Error: Failed to load colors from Figma

[kiddden]

Tool version: 0.38.0

This week, I encountered a very strange bug. Everything was exporting fine except for the colors, and the terminal simply output the following error:

Error: Failed to load colors from Figma

The design team thoroughly checked everything, but there were no results.

I decided to experiment with figma-export.yaml and added nameValidateRegexp specifically for colors. Before, it was commented. Here's what I got in the terminal:

Error: ❌ Bad asset name «some_color_1»
❌ Bad asset name «some_color_2»
❌ Bad asset name «some_color_3»

I just fixed the regex to accept names that we use in Figma, and the problem was resolved.

I don't understand how it could be that with zero restrictions, it fails to export, but when I add restrictions, it works. Perhaps the library applies some default regex validation under the hood when we don't specify anything, but I couldn't find any information about this.
Another question is why it doesn't display any error message, when regex validation is commented.

I want to note that export works perfectly fine on other projects with the same config, and it also worked okay before on this project too. I'm not sure if this is a bug or not, and looking for a piece of advice.

UPD: There is no issue on 0.37.6, looks like the error is related to 0.38.0

[subdan]

The error «Failed to load colors from Figma» occurs when the library gets a network error or a Figma API error. It is strange that adding nameValidateRegexp parameters fixes the issue. Could you please give me access to your Figma file so I can reproduce the issue?

Perhaps the library applies some default regex validation under the hood when we don't specify anything, but I couldn't find any information about this.

No, the library doesn't apply default regexp validation.

Another question is why it doesn't display any error message, when regex validation is commented.

Because the library unable to get colors from Figma API. I agree with you that it is not clear from the error message what the cause of the error is. It should print Figma API error message at least.

[kiddden]

Unfortunately can't share the figma file. I did my best to replicate the issue on my own projects, but unfortunately, no success. It seems like this issue is quite rare. At my workplace, we follow the same design rules across many projects, but for some reason, this specific one is giving us trouble.
Anyway, I believe more detailed error messages could help.

[robertmusialek]

Hey @subdan

I just run into similar issue of Error: Failed to load colors from Figma after bumping tool version to 0.38.0. On any earlier version exporting our figma project works fine, but on the 0.38.0 it throws an error as above.

[subdan]

@robertmusialek could you please share your Figma file so I can reproduce the issue?

[robertmusialek]

Unfortunately that is something I cannot share outside of our company :(

[subdan]

@kiddden, @robertmusialek Which Figma plan do you have?

[kiddden]

Premium version

[subdan]

There is no Premium plan. To export variables you must have Enterprise plan.

https://www.figma.com/pricing/

[kiddden]

I'm sorry, we use Professional Team plan

[subdan]

Sync variables to code via REST API only available for Enterprise plan

[subdan]

Do you use Variables or Color Styles for colors?

[kiddden]

We use color styles

[subdan]

Did you try to use 0.37.6?

[kiddden]

Yes, this version works nicely. Forgot to mention it in the issue. Will update it now.

[subdan]

@kiddden did you set variablesColors in you figma-export.yaml file?

[kiddden]

No, we haven't touched color variables at all