Figma MCP write: what your agent can create and edit
With FigmaMCP, the write side of Figma MCP covers the everyday building blocks of a design file. Your agent, Claude Code or Codex, can create and change frames, shapes, text, components, instances, styles, variables and auto layout in the file you have open. Every write passes safety checks first.
What the agent can do
| Group | What it can do |
|---|---|
| Frames and structure | Create frames. Group, ungroup, clone, rename, move, resize and delete layers. Move a layer into another parent. |
| Shapes and vectors | Create rectangles, ellipses, polygons and stars. Create a shape from SVG. Set fills, strokes, effects and corner radius. |
| Text | Create text layers. Change the words. Change font, size and other text style. |
| Components | Create components and component sets. Add and manage component properties. |
| Instances | Create instances of a component. Set their properties and overrides. |
| Styles | Create and edit paint, text, effect and grid styles. Apply a style to a layer. |
| Variables | Create and edit variables and collections. Bind a variable to a layer property so it follows the token. |
| Auto layout | Turn on auto layout for a frame. Set direction, spacing, padding and alignment. |
The agent can also read: pages, layers, components, styles and variables, plus a picture of a layer. Reads never change the file. Annotations and prototype reactions are included too.
Download for Mac Version 0.1.10
The safety checks, in plain words
- Only the file you chose. Writes go only to the file where the plugin is open and its AI can edit this file switch is on. Switch it off and the agent can only read.
- Right layer, by name. To change an existing layer, variable or style, the agent must give its current name. If the name does not match, the edit is refused.
- Bulk edits are checked first. If one item in a batch is invalid, nothing in the batch changes.
- Locked layers stay locked. Locked layers, assets from shared libraries, and the inside of component instances are not edited around.
- Variables and styles follow the same switch. With it off, the agent can only read them.
- Clear errors. A refused edit returns a plain reason, and the agent can correct the request.
A wrong edit that follows the rules still goes through, because the checks cannot know what you meant. Review the result, and use Figma version history. For setup, see Figma MCP setup.
How this relates to Figma’s own write tools
Figma’s official server has its own way to write to the canvas. Figma says it needs a Professional plan or above with edit access, and that it is free in beta and planned to become usage-based. See Figma’s write to canvas page, checked November 9, 2026. FigmaMCP works differently: through a development plugin in the desktop app. Whether your account can run one is up to Figma, and we have not tested every plan.
