Integrating Figma with Claude: AI That Codes What You Design

• Amol Ghemud
• Integrating Figma with Claude: AI That Codes What You Design
• Published: July 18, 2025

Contributors: Amol Ghemud
Published: July 18, 2025

Summary

Claude’s integration with Figma Dev Mode enables designers and developers to turn UI designs into production-ready code seamlessly. By accessing Figma files through the Dev Mode MCP Server, Claude can understand the layout, components, and design tokens, then generate clean, context-aware code in formats such as React or HTML/CSS. From identifying inconsistencies to speeding up developer handoff, this Connector enhances every step of the design-to-dev workflow.

How Claude’s Dev Mode Connector Enhances Figma-to-Code Workflows with Context and Component Awareness

Let Your AI Understand Design, Not Just See It

Design is only half the equation. Translating clean, intuitive interfaces into code that developers can build is where the real challenge begins.

With the Claude + Figma Dev Mode integration, that handoff gets smarter. Claude can now connect directly to your Figma files through the Dev Mode MCP Server, turning selected elements, frames, or entire layouts into context-aware code, and preserving design intent at every step.

Whether you’re refining UI components or building full product flows, this integration ensures your AI understands not just the look but the structure behind your designs.

Getting Started: How to Connect Claude to Figma Dev Mode

To use the Figma Dev Mode Connector, you’ll need:

• Claude for Desktop (Pro or Team plan).

• Figma Desktop App (must be installed and running).

• Access to Dev Mode in your Figma files.

Setup Steps:

1. Launch the Figma desktop app and open the design file you want Claude to access.
2. Enable Dev Mode in your Figma file.
3. Open the Dev Mode Inspect Panel — you’ll see an option to enable the MCP Server.
4. In Claude for Desktop, go to Settings → Connectors, and enable the Figma Dev Mode connector.
5. Claude will now be able to fetch data, generate code, and provide insights from the currently open Figma file.

Note: Authentication is handled automatically through the Figma desktop app; no tokens or API keys are required.

Related Read: Using Claude with Chrome: AI That Works Across Your Browser

Exceptional Ways to Use Claude + Figma

Claude doesn’t just look at Figma screens — it understands what’s inside them. From turning frames into code to interpreting design patterns, here’s how Claude enhances your design-to-dev pipeline:

1. Generate Code from Selected Frames or Nodes

Prompt:
“Generate React code for the selected frame.”

Claude will:
Detect the selected component in Figma, extract layout, text, styling, and spacing, and return semantically structured React (or HTML/CSS) code that mirrors your design.

2. Extract Variables, Layouts, and Components

Prompt:
“What variables and components are used in this section?”

Claude will:
List design tokens (colors, spacing, fonts), reusable components, and layout properties in a format developers can reference or convert into code.

3. Compare and Review Designs

Prompt:

“Compare these two frames and highlight UX differences.”

Claude will:
Point out structural, content, or accessibility differences and suggest which version aligns better with best practices or your design system.

Why This Integration Matters?

Design-to-code has always been a process fraught with friction. Developers often lack context on spacing, components, or naming conventions used in Figma files. Claude’s integration with the Figma Dev Mode MCP Server eliminates this gap.

By allowing Claude to read directly from Figma’s design structure and pull accurate variables, components, and layout information, you get code that’s:

• Aligned to design specs.

• Built using your actual components (via Code Connect).

• Context-aware and consistent across screens. 

This creates smoother collaboration between design and dev, reducing the need for back-and-forth and revision cycles. It’s not just faster, it’s brighter, cleaner, and better aligned with product intent.

Related Read: Using Claude with Apple Notes: AI That Thinks with You

Conclusion: From Design File to Functioning Code

Claude’s Figma integration reimagines the handoff between design and development. Instead of copying specs, switching tabs, or second-guessing intent, your AI assistant now sits directly in your workflow, reading design context, surfacing components, and generating usable code with precision. 

Whether you’re prototyping a new UI or refining production-ready components, Claude ensures that your design decisions translate seamlessly into development output. It’s not just an upgrade to how you code; it’s a more innovative, more aligned way to build digital products.

Heads up: This is just one way Claude’s Connectors are reshaping how we work. Explore the complete Claude Connectors series.  

If you’re exploring how AI automation can elevate your business processes beyond design workflows, dive into our AI-led Automation Blogs for practical insights, use cases, and frameworks that can transform how your team works across product, dev, and beyond.

Your Data, Your Rules

Claude Connectors are built with a privacy-first approach. With the Figma Connector, Claude accesses your local design file only when you explicitly prompt it to do so. No data is stored or shared externally, and the Dev Mode MCP Server runs locally, requiring the Figma desktop app to be open and active. You’re always in control of what’s accessible and when.

Related Read: Integrating Spotify with Claude: AI That Understands Your Mood

FAQs

Q1: Does this work with the browser version of Figma?
No. You must use the Figma desktop app, and the Dev Mode MCP Server must be running locally for Claude to access the file context.

Q2: Can Claude generate code in specific languages or frameworks?
Yes. You can specify the output format—such as React, Tailwind, or plain HTML/CSS—and Claude will structure code accordingly, using Figma’s context as reference.

Q3: What permissions are needed for this Connector?
You’ll need to allow Claude to communicate with the local Dev Mode MCP Server, which runs only while the Figma desktop app is open and a file is active.

Q4: Can Claude identify design inconsistencies?
Claude can highlight issues such as missing variables, spacing mismatches, or inconsistent components, based on the design metadata it retrieves.

Q5: Will this work on shared team projects?
Yes, if the shared Figma file is open in your desktop app and you’ve activated Dev Mode, Claude can read and generate from it.

About the Author

Amol Ghemud

Optimizer in Chief

Amol has helped catalyse business growth with his strategic & data-driven methodologies. With a decade of experience in the field of marketing, he has donned multiple hats, from channel optimization, data analytics and creative brand positioning to growth engineering and sales.