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Figma for Dummies

This is the simple version.

If you want Core-X or Spacebot to build something from Figma, you do not ask it to “browse Figma” like a normal website. You give it the exact Figma node link for the frame, section, or component you want.

The system then does four things:

  1. reads the design context for that exact node
  2. grabs a screenshot for visual reference
  3. pulls variables/assets if needed
  4. translates the result into your actual project code

What You Need To Paste

Use a Figma link that points to the exact node, not just the top-level file.

Good:

https://www.figma.com/design/FILE_KEY/File-Name?node-id=123-456

Bad:

https://www.figma.com/design/FILE_KEY/File-Name

Why this matters:

  • the node-id tells the MCP server exactly which frame or component to inspect
  • without it, the agent has to guess, and the result gets sloppy fast

What The Figma MCP Actually Does

The normal flow is:

  1. get_design_context
  2. get_screenshot
  3. optional get_metadata if the node is too big
  4. optional asset download if images/SVGs are referenced
  5. implementation into the target codebase

Think of it like this:

  • get_design_context = structure/spec
  • get_screenshot = visual truth
  • get_metadata = map of the file when the selection is too large

What To Ask For

Good requests are concrete.

Example 1: simple component

Implement this button from Figma in the current React app:
https://www.figma.com/design/FILE_KEY/App?node-id=12-44
Match the existing design system where possible.

Example 2: full section

Build this hero section from Figma in the Spacebot interface:
https://www.figma.com/design/FILE_KEY/Studio?node-id=201-99
Keep the layout and hierarchy, but translate styles into existing tokens.

Example 3: explain before building

Explain this Figma node first, then implement it:
https://www.figma.com/design/FILE_KEY/App?node-id=44-10
Tell me the layout structure, typography, spacing, and assets before writing code.

Example 4: extract assets only

Inspect this Figma node and tell me which SVGs/images it uses:
https://www.figma.com/design/FILE_KEY/Icons?node-id=88-321
Do not implement yet.

The agent should follow this order:

  1. fetch design context for the exact node
  2. fetch a screenshot for that node
  3. compare both
  4. implement using the target repo’s conventions
  5. validate the result against the screenshot

This matters because the raw design-context output is usually a representation, not the final code style.

What Figma MCP Is Good At

Use it for:

  • components
  • sections
  • full page frames
  • extracting assets already present in the Figma payload
  • matching spacing, hierarchy, and structure
  • translating design into the conventions of an existing repo

What Figma MCP Is Not Good At

Do not expect it to:

  • guess which node you meant from a huge file
  • replace product decisions with design decisions
  • invent missing assets cleanly
  • guarantee perfect code style without repo-specific cleanup
  • understand a design system unless you point it at the real project

The Biggest User Mistake

The most common bad prompt is:

Can you build this from Figma?

with no node link, no target repo, and no scope.

A better version is:

Implement this exact Figma section in /Users/davidcaballero/spacebot/interface:
https://www.figma.com/design/FILE_KEY/Spacebot?node-id=310-55
Use existing components where possible. Do not invent new tokens unless necessary.

If The Node Is Huge

If the selected node is too large, the agent should inspect metadata first and then narrow the target.

Example:

This page is too large. First map the child nodes, then implement only the composer panel:
https://www.figma.com/design/FILE_KEY/App?node-id=0-1

That usually turns into:

  • get_metadata on the page/frame
  • identify the right child node
  • get_design_context on the child node
  • get_screenshot on the child node

How This Fits In Core-X

In practice, Figma is part of a design-to-code workflow:

  • Figma provides the exact visual target
  • MCP fetches structured design context
  • the agent adapts that into the project
  • the repo remains the source of implementation truth

So the rule is simple:

  • Figma tells you what it should look like
  • the repo tells you how it should be built

Quick Prompt Templates

Build component

Implement this Figma component in the current repo:
[Figma link with node-id]
Reuse existing components and tokens where possible.

Explain first

Analyze this Figma node and summarize the layout, typography, spacing, and assets before coding:
[Figma link with node-id]

Tight fidelity

Implement this Figma node with 1:1 visual fidelity:
[Figma link with node-id]
Validate against the screenshot before finishing.

Targeted extraction

Inspect this Figma node and extract the design variables, text hierarchy, and referenced assets only:
[Figma link with node-id]

Troubleshooting

”It built the wrong thing”

Cause:

  • wrong node link
  • link points to a whole page instead of the specific node

Fix:

  • copy the exact node link again

”The layout is right but the code looks off”

Cause:

  • design context was used too literally

Fix:

  • ask the agent to translate into existing project conventions instead of copying raw output

”It missed an image or icon”

Cause:

  • the asset may not have been part of the selected node payload

Fix:

  • ask for asset inspection first, or target the node that actually owns the asset

Short Version

If you remember nothing else, remember this:

  1. copy the exact Figma node link
  2. say which repo or folder should receive the implementation
  3. say whether you want analysis, implementation, or asset extraction
  4. do not make the agent guess the scope