Figma Opens Design Tools to AI Agents
▼ Summary
– Figma has expanded its Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to support its AI prompt-to-app coding tool, Figma Make.
– The MCP server allows AI models to see the underlying code of a design, enabling accurate recreation instead of visual guessing.
– This MCP server is now accessible remotely from AI coding agents, browser-based models, and integrated development environments.
– The tool currently supports products from Anthropic, Cursor, Windsurf, and VS Code, with future updates planned for third-party server connections.
– Upcoming features include a Design Snapshot tool for converting Make snapshots into editable layers and an AI prompt-based editing feature within the Design tool.
Figma is fundamentally changing how designers and developers collaborate by opening its platform directly to artificial intelligence. The company’s latest updates grant AI models unprecedented access to the core building blocks of apps and prototypes created within its ecosystem. This strategic move effectively turns Figma into a more intelligent and interconnected hub for digital product creation.
A central component of this shift is the expansion of Figma’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. Originally a bridge for AI to interact with design files, the MCP server now fully supports Figma Make, the platform’s prompt-to-app coding tool. This upgrade allows AI agents to see and understand the actual code that constructs a prototype, rather than just interpreting a static image or a rendered preview.
According to Figma’s Chief Technology Officer Kris Rasmussen, this capability is a game-changer. The system indexes the code within a Make file, enabling both users and AI platforms to request specific information with precision. In practical terms, an AI model can now examine exactly how an app was assembled in Figma Make. This deep understanding allows for accurate replication and manipulation of the design, moving beyond mere visual approximation.
Initial integration support is available for several prominent AI and development tools, including products from Anthropic, Cursor, Windsurf, and VS Code. Figma has also indicated that future updates will open the door for third-party MCP servers to connect with Figma Make, fostering a broader ecosystem. A significant enhancement is the new remote access capability for the MCP server. This means AI coding agents, browser-based models, and integrated development environments (IDEs) can now interact with Figma without requiring a local installation of the desktop application, greatly improving accessibility for distributed teams.
Looking ahead, Figma is preparing to roll out additional AI-powered features. One imminent release is the Design Snapshot feature, which transforms snapshots from Figma Make into fully editable layers within the main Figma Design tool. This is anticipated to launch very soon. Furthermore, an editing feature that lets users manipulate designs using natural language prompts directly on the canvas is currently undergoing testing, promising a more fluid and intuitive design workflow.
(Source: The Verge)