Implement Design

Overview

This skill provides a structured workflow for translating Figma designs into production-ready code with pixel-perfect accuracy. It ensures consistent integration with the Figma MCP server, proper use of design tokens, and 1:1 visual parity with designs.

Prerequisites

• Figma MCP server must be connected and accessible
• User must provide a Figma URL in the format: https://figma.com/design/:fileKey/:fileName?node-id=1-2
  • :fileKey is the file key
  • 1-2 is the node ID (the specific component or frame to implement)
• OR when using figma-desktop MCP: User can select a node directly in the Figma desktop app (no URL required)
• Project should have an established design system or component library (preferred)

Required Workflow

Follow these steps in order. Do not skip steps.

Step 0: Set up Figma MCP (if not already configured)

If any MCP call fails because Figma MCP is not connected, pause and set it up:

1. Add the Figma MCP:
   • codex mcp add figma --url https://mcp.figma.com/mcp
2. Enable remote MCP client:
   • Set [features].rmcp_client = true in config.toml or run codex --enable rmcp_client
3. Log in with OAuth:
   • codex mcp login figma

After successful login, the user will have to restart codex. You should finish your answer and tell them so when they try again they can continue with Step 1.

Detailed setup and tool-selection references are available in references/figma-mcp-config.md and references/figma-tools-and-prompts.md.

Step 1: Get Node ID

Option A: Parse from Figma URL

When the user provides a Figma URL, extract the file key and node ID to pass as arguments to MCP tools.

URL format: https://figma.com/design/:fileKey/:fileName?node-id=1-2

Extract:

• File key: :fileKey (the segment after /design/)
• Node ID: 1-2 (the value of the node-id query parameter)

Note: When using the local desktop MCP (figma-desktop), fileKey is not passed as a parameter to tool calls. The server automatically uses the currently open file, so only nodeId is needed.

Example:

• URL: https://figma.com/design/kL9xQn2VwM8pYrTb4ZcHjF/DesignSystem?node-id=42-15
• File key: kL9xQn2VwM8pYrTb4ZcHjF
• Node ID: 42-15

Option B: Use Current Selection from Figma Desktop App (figma-desktop MCP only)

When using the figma-desktop MCP and the user has NOT provided a URL, the tools automatically use the currently selected node from the open Figma file in the desktop app.

Note: Selection-based prompting only works with the figma-desktop MCP server. The remote server requires a link to a frame or layer to extract context. The user must have the Figma desktop app open with a node selected.

Step 2: Fetch Design Context

Run get_design_context with the extracted file key and node ID.

get_design_context(fileKey=":fileKey", nodeId="1-2")

This provides the structured data including:

• Layout properties (Auto Layout, constraints, sizing)
• Typography specifications
• Color values and design tokens
• Component structure and variants
• Spacing and padding values

If the response is too large or truncated:

1. Run get_metadata(fileKey=":fileKey", nodeId="1-2") to get the high-level node map
2. Identify the specific child nodes needed from the metadata
3. Fetch individual child nodes with get_design_context(fileKey=":fileKey", nodeId=":childNodeId")

Step 3: Capture Visual Reference

Run get_screenshot with the same file key and node ID for a visual reference.

get_screenshot(fileKey=":fileKey", nodeId="1-2")

This screenshot serves as the source of truth for visual validation. Keep it accessible throughout implementation.

Step 4: Download Required Assets

Download any assets (images, icons, SVGs) returned by the Figma MCP server.

IMPORTANT: Follow these asset rules:

• If the Figma MCP server returns a localhost source for an image or SVG, use that source directly
• DO NOT import or add new icon packages - all assets should come from the Figma payload
• DO NOT use or create placeholders if a localhost source is provided
• Assets are served through the Figma MCP server's built-in assets endpoint

Step 5: Translate to Project Conventions

Translate the Figma output into this project's framework, styles, and conventions.

Key principles:

• Treat the Figma MCP output (typically React + Tailwind) as a representation of design and behavior, not as final code style
• Replace Tailwind utility classes with the project's preferred utilities or design system tokens
• Reuse existing components (buttons, inputs, typography, icon wrappers) instead of duplicating functionality
• Use the project's color system, typography scale, and spacing tokens consistently
• Respect existing routing, state management, and data-fetch patterns

Step 6: Achieve 1:1 Visual Parity

Strive for pixel-perfect visual parity with the Figma design.

Guidelines:

• Prioritize Figma fidelity to match designs exactly
• Avoid hardcoded values - use design tokens from Figma where available
• When conflicts arise between design system tokens and Figma specs, prefer design system tokens but adjust spacing or sizes minimally to match visuals
• Follow WCAG requirements for accessibility
• Add component documentation as needed

Step 7: Validate Against Figma

Before marking complete, validate the final UI against the Figma screenshot.

Validation checklist:

• Layout matches (spacing, alignment, sizing)
• Typography matches (font, size, weight, line height)
• Colors match exactly
• Interactive states work as designed (hover, active, disabled)
• Responsive behavior follows Figma constraints
• Assets render correctly
• Accessibility standards met

Implementation Rules

Component Organization

• Place UI components in the project's designated design system directory
• Follow the project's component naming conventions
• Avoid inline styles unless truly necessary for dynamic values

Design System Integration

• ALWAYS use components from the project's design system when possible
• Map Figma design tokens to project design tokens
• When a matching component exists, extend it rather than creating a new one
• Document any new components added to the design system

Code Quality

• Avoid hardcoded values - extract to constants or design tokens
• Keep components composable and reusable
• Add TypeScript types for component props
• Include JSDoc comments for exported components

Examples

Example 1: Implementing a Button Component

User says: "Implement this Figma button component: https://figma.com/design/kL9xQn2VwM8pYrTb4ZcHjF/DesignSystem?node-id=42-15"

Actions:

1. Parse URL to extract fileKey=kL9xQn2VwM8pYrTb4ZcHjF and nodeId=42-15
2. Run get_design_context(fileKey="kL9xQn2VwM8pYrTb4ZcHjF", nodeId="42-15")
3. Run get_screenshot(fileKey="kL9xQn2VwM8pYrTb4ZcHjF", nodeId="42-15") for visual reference
4. Download any button icons from the assets endpoint
5. Check if project has existing button component
6. If yes, extend it with new variant; if no, create new component using project conventions
7. Map Figma colors to project design tokens (e.g., primary-500, primary-hover)
8. Validate against screenshot for padding, border radius, typography

Result: Button component matching Figma design, integrated with project design system.

Example 2: Building a Dashboard Layout

User says: "Build this dashboard: https://figma.com/design/pR8mNv5KqXzGwY2JtCfL4D/Dashboard?node-id=10-5"

Actions:

1. Parse URL to extract fileKey=pR8mNv5KqXzGwY2JtCfL4D and nodeId=10-5
2. Run get_metadata(fileKey="pR8mNv5KqXzGwY2JtCfL4D", nodeId="10-5") to understand the page structure
3. Identify main sections from metadata (header, sidebar, content area, cards) and their child node IDs
4. Run get_design_context(fileKey="pR8mNv5KqXzGwY2JtCfL4D", nodeId=":childNodeId") for each major section
5. Run get_screenshot(fileKey="pR8mNv5KqXzGwY2JtCfL4D", nodeId="10-5") for the full page
6. Download all assets (logos, icons, charts)
7. Build layout using project's layout primitives
8. Implement each section using existing components where possible
9. Validate responsive behavior against Figma constraints

Result: Complete dashboard matching Figma design with responsive layout.

Best Practices

Always Start with Context

Never implement based on assumptions. Always fetch get_design_context and get_screenshot first.

Incremental Validation

Validate frequently during implementation, not just at the end. This catches issues early.

Document Deviations

If you must deviate from the Figma design (e.g., for accessibility or technical constraints), document why in code comments.

Reuse Over Recreation

Always check for existing components before creating new ones. Consistency across the codebase is more important than exact Figma replication.

Design System First

When in doubt, prefer the project's design system patterns over literal Figma translation.

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue: Figma output is truncated

Cause: The design is too complex or has too many nested layers to return in a single response. Solution: Use get_metadata to get the node structure, then fetch specific nodes individually with get_design_context.

Issue: Design doesn't match after implementation

Cause: Visual discrepancies between the implemented code and the original Figma design. Solution: Compare side-by-side with the screenshot from Step 3. Check spacing, colors, and typography values in the design context data.

Issue: Assets not loading

Cause: The Figma MCP server's assets endpoint is not accessible or the URLs are being modified. Solution: Verify the Figma MCP server's assets endpoint is accessible. The server serves assets at localhost URLs. Use these directly without modification.

Issue: Design token values differ from Figma

Cause: The project's design system tokens have different values than those specified in the Figma design. Solution: When project tokens differ from Figma values, prefer project tokens for consistency but adjust spacing/sizing to maintain visual fidelity.

Understanding Design Implementation

The Figma implementation workflow establishes a reliable process for translating designs to code:

For designers: Confidence that implementations will match their designs with pixel-perfect accuracy. For developers: A structured approach that eliminates guesswork and reduces back-and-forth revisions. For teams: Consistent, high-quality implementations that maintain design system integrity.

By following this workflow, you ensure that every Figma design is implemented with the same level of care and attention to detail.

Additional Resources

• references/figma-mcp-config.md - Codex MCP config, environment, and troubleshooting reference.
• references/figma-tools-and-prompts.md - Figma MCP tool catalog and prompt patterns.
• Figma MCP Server Documentation
• Figma MCP Server Tools and Prompts
• Figma Variables and Design Tokens