Figma’s New MCP Server Lets AI Tools Directly Access Design Data for Faster Coding

Figma Empowers AI with Direct Access to Design Data

Figma has introduced a new developer tool that enables AI coding assistants to access detailed design data directly from its servers. This innovation aims to improve how AI models translate designs into functional code by providing accurate, granular design information rather than relying solely on visual interpretation.

What the Dev Mode MCP Server Does

The Dev Mode Model Context Protocol (MCP) server acts as a bridge between AI coding tools and Figma's design environment. Instead of AI guessing design details from images, it taps into precise data like color codes, graph values, and layout measurements. This approach is similar to needing both the image and the technique behind a painting to recreate it accurately.

By giving AI a clearer picture of the original design intent, the MCP server reduces the workload for AI models, resulting in code that closely matches what designers envision. This can save significant time during product development and improve collaboration between design and engineering teams.

Current Availability and Upcoming Features

• The MCP server is available in beta for users with Dev or Full seat access in Figma.
• Figma plans to introduce remote server capabilities and deeper integration with codebases in the coming months.

This rollout complements Figma’s recent launch of the prompt-to-code Figma Make platform, which became fully available to Full seat users in early June. Figma Make lets users generate functional applications simply by describing them in natural language.

Additionally, the Figma Sites Code Layers feature, designed to help AI tools convert designs into interactive websites, is scheduled for release on June 12th.

Why This Matters for Product Development

Providing AI with direct access to design data streamlines the translation process from UI/UX concepts to working code. This can accelerate development cycles and reduce miscommunication between teams. For product developers, it means faster iterations and a clearer link between design and functionality.

Leveraging tools like Figma’s MCP server can also help teams maintain design consistency and improve the quality of the final product without adding extra manual work.

For those interested in expanding their AI and design integration skills, exploring courses on AI-assisted coding and prompt engineering can be valuable. Resources like Complete AI Training offer practical learning paths tailored to product development roles.