Figma Design Round-Trip Expertise

Directive knowledge for Figma <> Code design round-trips. Code remains source of truth; Figma is the visual manipulation layer for designers.

When to Use This Skill

Load this skill when:

• Capturing live UI to Figma for designer review (generate_figma_design)
• Extracting design changes from Figma back to code (get_design_context)
• Creating or maintaining custom component mappings (component-map.json)
• Checking Figma library staleness on needs:design label
• Creating or managing Figma project structure (Library, Active Work, Archive)
• Adding Figma page links to Linear issues
• Generating design system rules from project tokens

Storybook remains primary. Figma is an optional visual layer — not all projects use it.

Quick Reference

Workflow Summary

PM refines issue -> adds needs:design label -> Designer edits in Figma -> Engineer agent extracts + implements

Step	Who	Where	Tool
Flag design needed	PM	Linear	needs:design label
Check library freshness	Agent	Storybook vs Figma	Staleness check
Capture/sync if stale	Human + Agent	Browser + Figma	generate_figma_design
Design work	Designer	Figma Active Work	Figma native
Link design to issue	Designer	Linear	## Design section
Extract design	Agent	Figma MCP	get_metadata + get_design_context
Adapt to codebase	Agent	Local	component-map.json + design-system-rules.md
Implement	Agent	Storybook/code	Standard delivery
UX review capture	Agent	Figma	generate_figma_design

Figma MCP Tools

Tool	MCP Name	Purpose
Capture UI	generate_figma_design	Live UI -> editable Figma frames
Get Design Context	get_design_context	Figma selection -> React + Tailwind code
Get Metadata	get_metadata	Figma node tree -> XML with names, types, positions
Get Variables	get_variable_defs	Extract tokens (colors, spacing, typography)
Get Screenshot	get_screenshot	Screenshot of a Figma node

Rate Limits (Pro/Organization Plan)

Metric	Limit
Daily tool calls	200/day per seat
Per-minute calls	15/min per seat
Capture calls	Exempt from limits

Figma Project Structure

Figma Project: "{Product Name}"
|-- [Library] Design System          <- Component reference frames (captured from Storybook)
|-- [File] Active Work               <- Issue-specific design pages
+-- [File] Shipped Archive           <- Completed designs (reference)

Project Configuration

Per-project Figma settings in project config:

{
  "figma": {
    "activeWorkFileId": "FILE_ID",
    "designSystemLibraryId": "LIBRARY_FILE_ID",
    "shippedArchiveFileId": "ARCHIVE_FILE_ID"
  }
}

Custom Mapping Files

File	Purpose	Generated by
.figma/component-map.json	Maps Figma component names -> codebase imports	Component map generator script
.figma/design-system-rules.md	Maps hex values -> CSS variable tokens	Design system rules generator script
.figma/last-sync-commit	Git commit hash of last Figma library sync	Capture script

MCP Server Configuration

The Figma MCP server is pre-configured globally in AgentFlow's .mcp.json -- no per-project setup needed.

No API keys or tokens needed. On first use, the MCP server initiates an OAuth flow in the browser -- the user authenticates with their Figma account directly. Authentication persists across sessions.

Capture requires a browser. The OAuth flow and generate_figma_design need a browser session. This means capture is human-triggered, not CI/CD automated. Extraction (get_design_context, get_metadata) works headlessly from agents.

Manual setup (non-AgentFlow projects): Add to .mcp.json:

{ "figma": { "url": "https://mcp.figma.com/mcp" } }

Rules (FOLLOW THESE)

Source of Truth Rules

1. Code is ALWAYS source of truth -- Figma is a visual manipulation layer, not the design source
2. Tokens flow one-way: code -> Figma -- Design System Library reflects Storybook. Token changes flow from globals.css -> capture -> Figma Library
3. Storybook remains primary -- All component design, testing, and sign-off happens in Storybook. Figma supplements, never replaces
4. MUST NOT duplicate components in Figma -- All issue work references the Design System Library

Extraction + Adaptation Rules

5. MUST use two-step extraction -- First get_metadata (identifies components by name), then get_design_context (gets code)
6. MUST adapt extraction output -- get_design_context returns generic React+Tailwind. Agent MUST read component-map.json to replace inline code with real component imports
7. MUST apply design system rules -- Agent MUST read design-system-rules.md to replace hardcoded hex values with CSS variable tokens
8. Output is a starting point, not production code -- Extraction produces absolute positioning and inline styles. Agent adapts layout to use project patterns (flexbox, grid, responsive)

Round-Trip Rules

9. MUST limit round-trips to 2-3 cycles before re-capturing from code -- frames degrade after multiple cycles
10. MUST remove Figma annotations before extraction -- Annotations break get_design_context output
11. MUST validate each cycle against original intent -- Check for layout drift, token loss, component degradation

Component Map Rules

12. component-map.json maps Figma names to codebase imports -- Generated from Storybook stories.json + component source files
13. MUST regenerate component-map.json when components change -- Run the generator script after adding/modifying components
14. Mapping is name-based -- Figma component/frame names must match Storybook component names for mapping to work

Variable Rules

15. get_variable_defs only returns DEFAULT mode values -- Cannot read alternate variable modes
16. design-system-rules.md maps hex -> CSS variables -- Generated from globals.css, used by agent during adaptation step

Figma File Management Rules

17. Each issue gets its own Figma page -- Named {ISSUE-ID} {Short Description}
18. Frame naming within a page -- {ISSUE-ID}/Screen Name/State (e.g., AF-124/Dashboard/Default)
19. MUST add Figma page URL to Linear issue -- Under a ## Design section in the issue description
20. MUST use needs:design label -- Add when designer input is needed, remove when complete

Library Sync Rules

21. Lazy sync on needs:design -- When an issue gets the needs:design label, check if the Figma library is stale before the designer starts
22. Staleness detection -- Compare .figma/last-sync-commit against current HEAD. If stories.json or component files changed since last sync, library is stale
23. Capture requires human -- Browser OAuth means a human must trigger the capture script. The designer is already in a browser, so they trigger it

Workflows

Workflow: Pre-Design Sync Check (on needs:design)

When: An issue receives the needs:design label, before designer starts work.

Run:

npx tsx .claude/scripts/figma/figma-prepare.ts

This single command orchestrates:

1. Checks library staleness (.figma/last-sync-commit vs HEAD)
2. Regenerates .figma/component-map.json from Storybook
3. Regenerates .figma/design-system-rules.md from globals.css
4. Reports status: FRESH (proceed) or STALE (re-capture needed)

If stale: The script lists which components changed. A human with a browser triggers capture of updated components to the Figma Library file, then runs:

git rev-parse HEAD > .figma/last-sync-commit

Options: --skip-staleness (initial setup), --storybook-dir <path>, --css <path>

---

Workflow: Designer Flow Choice

When: Designer starts work on an issue with needs:design.

Steps:

1. Ask the designer: "Which workflow? (A) Edit existing screens -- capture live UI, tweak in Figma, extract back. (B) Compose new screens -- use Figma library references to assemble new designs."
2. Designer picks their flow
3. Auto-scaffold:
   • Create page in Active Work file: {ISSUE-ID} {Short Description}
   • For Flow A: capture current UI into the page
   • For Flow B: open the page ready for composition from library references
   • Add Figma page URL to Linear issue under ## Design
4. Designer works in Figma
5. On completion: remove needs:design label, notify that design is ready for implementation

---

Workflow: Flow A -- Direct Code <> Figma Round-Trip

When: Iterating on existing screens, layout adjustments, spacing/color tweaks, responsive checks.

Prerequisites: Figma MCP configured, component-map.json generated, design-system-rules.md generated.

Steps:

1. Capture: Use generate_figma_design to capture live UI from browser to Figma (human-triggered)
2. Verify: Check frame quality -- editable layers, correct structure, no flat screenshots
3. Designer edits: Designer tweaks visually in Figma (spacing, colors, component swaps)
4. Extract: Use get_metadata on designer's modified selection (get component tree with names)
5. Extract code: Use get_design_context on the same selection (get React+Tailwind code)
6. Adapt: Read component-map.json -- replace inline code with real component imports. Read design-system-rules.md -- replace hex values with CSS variable tokens. Fix layout (absolute -> flexbox/grid)
7. Implement: Update code based on adapted design intent
8. Re-capture: Capture updated UI back to Figma for review (human-triggered)
9. Iterate: Repeat steps 3-8 (max 2-3 cycles before fresh capture)

---

Workflow: Flow B -- Compose from Library References

When: New screen design, complex multi-component compositions, design system exploration.

Prerequisites: All of Flow A + Figma Library populated with component reference frames.

Steps:

1. Designer assembles: Designer builds screen in Figma using reference frames from the Library
2. Extract metadata: Use get_metadata -- identify component names from the Figma tree
3. Extract code: Use get_design_context -- get React+Tailwind layout code
4. Adapt: Map component names to codebase imports via component-map.json. Apply design-system-rules. Fix layout
5. Implement: Generate adapted code in Storybook/project
6. Re-capture: Capture implementation back to Figma for designer review (human-triggered)
7. Iterate: Designer reviews, requests changes, agent adapts

---

Workflow: Agent Extraction (Delivery Phase)

When: Engineering agent starts work on an issue that has a Figma design.

Steps:

1. Read Linear issue description
2. Look for ## Design section with Figma link
3. If no Figma link: proceed with Storybook-only (existing behaviour)
4. If found, extract and adapt:

# Step 4a: Get component tree (save metadata for adaptation)
# Agent calls get_metadata via Figma MCP, saves output to .figma/temp/metadata.xml

# Step 4b: Get raw code (save extraction for adaptation)
# Agent calls get_design_context via Figma MCP, saves code output to .figma/temp/raw-extraction.tsx

# Step 4c: Run adaptation script
npx tsx .claude/scripts/figma/figma-adapt.ts \
  --input .figma/temp/raw-extraction.tsx \
  --metadata .figma/temp/metadata.xml \
  --output .figma/temp/adapted-code.tsx

The figma-adapt.ts script:

• Reads component-map.json -- maps Figma component names to real imports
• Reads design-system-rules.md -- replaces hex values with CSS variable tokens
• Identifies components from metadata names
• Outputs adapted code with real imports and project tokens

5. Agent uses adapted output as the basis for implementation (still needs layout fixes -- absolute -> flexbox/grid)

---

Workflow: UX Review (Delivery Phase)

When: Implementation is ready for designer review, before PR.

Steps:

1. Agent captures implemented screens to Figma Active Work file (human-triggered capture)
2. Frames appear alongside the designer's original Figma design
3. Designer compares implementation vs design intent
4. Designer approves or requests changes
5. If changes needed: agent extracts feedback, adapts, re-implements
6. If approved: PR proceeds, final state captured to Shipped Archive

---

Workflow: Initial Project Setup

When: Adding Figma integration to a new project.

Steps:

1. Figma MCP -- Pre-configured globally in AgentFlow. Verify with /mcp command
2. Create Figma project structure -- Library + Active Work + Shipped Archive files in Figma
3. Record file IDs -- Add to project config (see Project Configuration above)
4. Generate component-map.json -- Run component map generator script against Storybook stories.json
5. Generate design-system-rules.md -- Run rules generator script against globals.css
6. Initial library capture -- Capture Storybook component stories to Figma Library file (human-triggered)
7. Record sync commit -- Write current git commit hash to .figma/last-sync-commit
8. Test extraction cycle -- Capture a page -> extract -> adapt -> verify code quality

---

Phase Integration

Where Figma Fits in AgentFlow Phases

During Refinement:

• PM flags needs:design on an issue
• Pre-design sync check runs (staleness detection)
• Designer creates/edits designs in Figma
• Figma page link added to Linear issue
• Part of existing Refinement phase -- no new status needed

During Delivery (In Progress):

• Engineering agent reads Figma link from Linear issue
• Agent extracts + adapts code using custom mapping
• UX Review gate: agent captures implementation back to Figma for designer comparison
• Part of existing Delivery phase -- no new status needed

Post-Delivery:

• Final implementation captured to Shipped Archive in Figma
• If components changed: .figma/last-sync-commit becomes stale (detected on next needs:design)

Role Responsibilities

Role	Figma Responsibilities
PM	Adds needs:design label; reviews Figma designs as part of mini-PRD approval
Designer	Works in Figma (ideation + tweaking); triggers library captures when stale; approves UX review
Engineer (Agent)	Extracts from Figma; adapts using component-map + rules; captures for UX review

Known Limitations

Limitation	Impact	Workaround
Extraction returns absolute positioning	Layout needs manual adaptation	Agent converts to flexbox/grid using project patterns
Tokens lost in extraction (hardcoded hex)	Must map back to CSS variables	Agent reads design-system-rules.md during adaptation
Component classes lost in extraction	Inline styles instead of imports	Agent reads component-map.json during adaptation
Always outputs React+Tailwind	Framework mismatch for non-React projects	Agent adapts to target framework
Single viewport capture	No responsive breakpoints	Capture at multiple breakpoints if needed
Capture requires browser	Cannot automate in CI/CD	Human triggers captures; acceptable since designer is in browser
Code Connect requires Enterprise plan	Cannot use native Figma component mapping	Custom component-map.json replaces Code Connect at agent layer
Frame degradation after 3+ cycles	Increasing noise in extracted code	Re-capture from code every 2-3 cycles
Annotations break get_design_context	Extraction fails	Remove annotations before extraction

Environment Variables

No Doppler secrets required. The Figma MCP server uses browser-based OAuth -- each user authenticates with their own Figma account on first use.

Essential Reading

• Figma Setup Guide -- Step-by-step project setup
• UX Design Expertise -- Primary design workflow (Storybook)
• Research Spec -- Full analysis and risk register

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Remember:

1. Code is source of truth -- Figma is a visual layer, not the design source
2. Two-step extraction: get_metadata (component names) then get_design_context (code)
3. ALWAYS adapt extraction output using component-map.json + design-system-rules.md
4. Lazy sync: check library staleness on needs:design, not on every component change
5. Capture requires a browser -- human-triggered, not automated
6. Limit round-trips to 2-3 cycles before re-capturing from code
7. Remove annotations before extraction
8. Each issue gets its own Figma page, linked in Linear issue ## Design section
9. needs:design label signals designer input is needed