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silships/figma-cli

A CLI that lets an AI assistant build and edit real, editable designs in your local Figma Desktop app, with no API key.

Open-source alternative to:Figma MCP

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What is it?

figma-cli is a command-line bridge between AI coding assistants such as Claude Code or Cursor and the Figma Desktop app. The assistant issues commands that create frames, components, variants and variables directly in an open Figma file, so the result is editable Figma content rather than a flat image. Connections run locally over the Chrome DevTools Protocol, so no Figma API token is required and no calls go through Figma's cloud REST API.

The tool supports three connection modes: Yolo, which applies a small patch to the desktop app; Browser, which drives Figma in a Chromium browser without modifying the app; and Safe, which uses a bundled Figma plugin. It can import design tokens from DESIGN.md files, Tailwind configs, CSS custom properties, W3C design-tokens JSON and Storybook, and it can export a file's design system back to DESIGN.md. A deterministic `check` command compares an open file against a saved snapshot and reports drift, token-binding gaps and geometry changes without involving a model.

Key features

  • 01Creates and edits real Figma frames, components, variants and variables from an AI assistant.
  • 02Connects to a local Figma Desktop app over CDP without an API key or rate limits.
  • 03Imports design tokens from DESIGN.md, Tailwind config, CSS variables and W3C token JSON.
  • 04Exports a Figma file's design system to DESIGN.md, including variable modes and aliases.
  • 05Provides a deterministic check command that detects drift and unbound hardcoded colors in CI.

Use cases

  • Building UI screens in Figma by describing them to Claude Code or Cursor.
  • Syncing a brand's design tokens from a codebase into a Figma file.
  • Documenting or transferring a design system between Figma files.
  • Running automated design-system checks for drift and token binding in continuous integration.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Install Figma Desktop and open it

  2. 2

    Download the figma-cli project from GitHub (or clone it) and open a terminal in its folder

  3. 3

    Install the CLI's dependencies (requires Node 18 or newer)

    npm install
  4. 4

    In Claude Code opened in the project folder, say "connect to Figma"

Things to know

  • Requires Figma Desktop to be installed and open; it does not work with figma.com alone in default mode.
  • The default Yolo mode applies a patch to the Figma Desktop app, and macOS may need the App Management permission for it.
  • Requires Node.js 18 or newer and an AI coding assistant such as Claude Code or Cursor.

Topics

#figma#design-tokens#claude-code#cursor#design-system#cli#ai-agent

FAQ

What is figma-cli?
A CLI that lets an AI assistant build and edit real, editable designs in your local Figma Desktop app, with no API key. figma-cli is a command-line bridge between AI coding assistants such as Claude Code or Cursor and the Figma Desktop app. The assistant issues commands that create frames, components, variants and variables directly in an open Figma file, so the result is editable Figma content rather than a flat image. Connections run locally over the Chrome DevTools Protocol, so no Figma API token is required and no calls go through Figma's cloud REST API.
Is figma-cli free to use? What license does it have?
figma-cli is open source under the MIT license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is figma-cli still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to figma-cli was on Oct 7, 2026.
What can I use figma-cli for?
Building UI screens in Figma by describing them to Claude Code or Cursor. Syncing a brand's design tokens from a codebase into a Figma file. Documenting or transferring a design system between Figma files. Running automated design-system checks for drift and token binding in continuous integration.
How do I install figma-cli?
Install Figma Desktop and open it Download the figma-cli project from GitHub (or clone it) and open a terminal in its folder Install the CLI's dependencies (requires Node 18 or newer): npm install In Claude Code opened in the project folder, say "connect to Figma"
Where can I get figma-cli?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/silships/figma-cli

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