What is Figma MCP Free?
Figma MCP Free is a Figma plugin plus an MCP server. The plugin reads the open canvas and streams design data over a local WebSocket to the server, so an AI coding agent gets layout, styles, tokens and screenshots without calling Figma's REST API or needing API tokens.
Figma MCP Free is a plugin and MCP server that streams live Figma document data to AI coding tools. The author built it because Figma's free tier REST limits allow only a handful of requests per month.
The plugin runs inside Figma and serializes nodes into structured JSON. It connects to the server at ws://localhost:1994, and the server answers MCP tool calls over stdio by forwarding them to the plugin.
What the agent receives
- Layout, with auto-layout expressed as flexbox, plus constraints and component data.
- Typography with accurate font weights and mixed text segments, and fills including solid, gradient and image fills with variable bindings.
- Effects such as shadows and blurs converted to CSS.
- Figma variables for colors, spacing and typography, ready for token mapping.
- Screenshots as PNG with transparency, JPG, SVG or PDF at a configurable scale.
Who Figma MCP Free is for
Best for
- Developers on a free Figma plan who keep hitting rate limits with REST based servers such as the Figma MCP server.
- Teams who like the plugin approach and want to compare a Rust based Figma server or Framelink.
- Agents following a design to code skill such as Figma implement design.
Not for
- Headless or CI use. A Figma plugin has to be running on the canvas to answer calls.
- Writing into Figma. The listed tools read and export design data and generate rules, and none edit the file.
- Teams that want a hosted service. Setup is a local install: install.sh or install.ps1 builds the server and configures the AI tools it detects.
Use it with UiChemy
Figma MCP Free hands design data to an agent that writes code. UiChemy takes the Figma file itself: Figma to WordPress converts it, and Composer edits the result inside Elementor or Gutenberg. Click Get Started on uichemy.com.
Connect Figma MCP Free: Stream Live Figma Data Without API Limits to your AI client
npx -y figma-mcp-freeClone the repository
Clone it and run install.sh on macOS or Linux, or install.ps1 on Windows. The installer builds the server and configures every supported AI tool it detects.
Or edit the config by hand
Add the mcpServers entry above to your client's config file. A second form points node at the absolute path of server/dist/index.js.
Import the plugin
In Figma, choose Plugins, Development, Import plugin from manifest, and select plugin/manifest.json from the cloned repository.
Client configuration
{
"mcpServers": {
"figma-mcp-free": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "figma-mcp-free"]
}
}
}Endpoints and ports
ws://localhost:1994Plugin to MCP server leader/ws, /ping, /rpcPlugin socket, health check and follower requestsWhat you can do with it
- No REST callsThe plugin reads the Figma plugin API directly, so no REST API tokens are needed.
- Full design extractionLayout, typography, fills, effects, constraints and component data come back as structured data.
- Target nodes by idget_design_context and get_screenshot accept nodeIds, so specific nodes can be read without selecting them.
- Design tokensFigma variables for colors, spacing and typography are extracted for token mapping.
- Structure firstA lightweight node tree lets the agent navigate a large design before fetching details.
- Multi instance coordinationLeader election means several MCP servers share one WebSocket, and a follower takes over if the leader stops.
- Many clientsThe installer configures VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Zed and other tools, and any MCP client can connect.
Tools it exposes
get_metadata
Returns a light node tree with ids, types, positions and sizes. Use it first on large designs.
get_design_context
Returns full design data: layout, typography, fills, effects, constraints and components. The primary tool.
get_screenshot
Exports a screenshot as PNG, JPG, SVG or PDF. PNG keeps transparency.
get_variable_defs
Returns all Figma variable collections and values, which are the design tokens.
get_styles
Returns local paint, text, effect and grid styles.
get_node
Fetches a specific node by id.
get_selection
Returns the currently selected nodes with full properties.
get_document
Returns the full page document tree.
save_screenshots
Exports screenshots and saves them directly to the filesystem.
create_design_system_rules
Generates AI workflow rules tailored to your stack.
Frequently asked questions
What is Figma MCP Free?
It is a Figma plugin and MCP server that streams live document data to AI coding tools. Because the plugin reads the canvas directly and sends data over a local WebSocket, it avoids Figma's REST API and its rate limits.
How do I install Figma MCP Free?
Clone the repository and run install.sh or install.ps1, then import plugin/manifest.json into Figma through Plugins, Development, Import plugin from manifest. You can also add an npx entry for figma-mcp-free to your MCP client config by hand.
Which tools does it provide?
Ten tools: get_metadata, get_design_context, get_screenshot, get_variable_defs, get_styles, get_node, get_selection, get_document, save_screenshots and create_design_system_rules. Start with get_metadata on large files, then fetch details with get_design_context for the nodes you need, and use get_screenshot when the agent needs an image.
Which AI tools does the installer configure?
It detects and configures Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, VS Code Insiders, Windsurf, Gemini Code (Antigravity) and Zed, and skips tools that are not installed. The README says it works with any MCP client, so other clients can use the manual entry.
Does it need a Figma API token?
No. The README says it makes zero API calls and needs no REST API tokens, since the plugin reads through the Figma plugin API. It does need the plugin running in Figma and the MCP server started by your client.
How is it different from other Figma servers?
It reads from a running plugin, not from the REST API, and it exports screenshots as PNG, JPG, SVG or PDF. Compare the Figma MCP page and the Figma AI bridge to weigh the REST route against bridge designs.
Is it maintained and what license applies?
The repository is MIT licensed, has 17 stars and its last push was June 22, 2026. The README's clone commands point at a different GitHub owner than this repository, so verify the source you clone before running the installer.