Figma Code Layers: Design to Live Code in One Click (2026)

I’m going to show you the 5-step workflow I now use to turn a Figma design into a live, interactive React component in about 10 minutes, with no developer handoff. You’ll get the exact prompts to copy and paste.

Figma just announced Code Layers at Config 2026, and it’s rolling out this month. It fundamentally kills the most expensive, time-consuming part of every web project: the gap between design and code. This is how I’m already using it.

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What are Figma Code Layers?

Figma Code Layers is a feature that converts any design layer or frame directly into interactive code, such as a React or Vue component, within the Figma canvas. It allows designers to work with live code, add npm packages like animation libraries, and sync design changes to the code automatically. This bridges the gap between static design mockups and functional, production-ready code.

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The 5-Step Figma Code Layers Workflow I Use — Copy It

This is the exact workflow I use to take a hero section from a static design to a working React component. It happens entirely inside Figma Make, using a few simple prompts. The goal is to create a component that’s ready for a developer to drop into a production environment with minimal changes, because it *is* the code.

# Figma Make: Code Layers Workflow

## Step 1: Design the Component
# Design your component (e.g., a hero section) in a Figma Make frame using standard layers.

## Step 2: Convert to Code
# Select the main frame or layer.
# Open the command palette (Cmd/Ctrl + /) and type:
> convert this layer to a React component

## Step 3: Add Interactivity (Optional)
# With the new code layer selected, open the command palette and type:
> add a Framer Motion entrance animation to this component. fade in and slide up.

## Step 4: Iterate and Compare
# Duplicate the code layer (Cmd/Ctrl + D).
# Select the duplicated layer and give it a new prompt to explore another direction:
> change the button style to outlined and use the secondary brand color on hover

## Step 5: Sync and Export
# Make a final tweak to the original *design* layer (e.g., change the font size).
# The change will automatically sync to the connected code layer.
# Once ready, select the code layer and export the code for deployment.

This process moves the initial front-end build from a developer’s code editor into the designer’s canvas, right next to the original design. It’s a massive shift.

  Design Layer         Prompt          Code Layer
+--------------+   ------------>   +--------------+
| Visual Mockup|  "convert to..."  | Live,        |
| (Static)     |                   | Interactive  |
|              |  "add animation.."| Component    |
+--------------+   <------------   +--------------+
                        Sync

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Here’s exactly how I’d do this

My process for building a component with Code Layers is fast and removes all interpretation. This workflow takes a visual idea and turns it into tangible code a developer can use immediately, which is why this new workflow is a core part of the modern Talk-to-Build stack. It’s about closing the gap between concept and reality.

1. Design in Figma Make. I start by building the hero section visually, just like always. I create frames, add text, drop in images. The key is to keep my layers organized, as this structure will translate directly into cleaner, more semantic code.
2. Run the Conversion Prompt. I select the top-level frame of my hero section. I hit Cmd+/ to open the command palette and type my prompt: “convert this layer to a React component”. Figma thinks for a second and replaces my static design with a live, interactive code layer that looks identical.
3. Add Animation with a Prompt. Now the magic part. The layer is live code, so I can add libraries. I select the new code layer and prompt again: “add a Framer Motion entrance animation to this component.” It automatically imports the library and wires up the animation. When I ran this on a recent client hero section, this step alone saved hours of back-and-forth.
4. Export the Code. Once I’m happy with the component, I select the code layer and export the clean JSX and CSS. This is the file I hand off. There’s no redlining, no spec doc, no ambiguity — just the working component itself.

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What this changes for designer-run agency work

Figma Code Layers changes the fundamental deliverable for designers, moving it from a static picture of a website to a functional piece of the website itself. This shift collapses the most expensive and error-prone part of the web design process—the handoff—and allows agencies to deliver value much faster. It redefines what a designer is expected to produce.

Dimension	Old Way (Design Handoff)	New Way (Figma Code Layers)
Deliverable	Static mockups, redlines, style guides, assets	A working, interactive code component
Process	Design → Spec → Handoff Meeting → Dev → Review	Design → Prompt → Iterate → Export Code
Collaboration	Siloed. Designers in Figma, devs in VS Code.	Unified. Devs can clone repos into Figma.
Speed	Days or weeks to see a live version.	Minutes to see and interact with the code.

This isn’t just an efficiency gain; it’s a category change. Agencies that adopt this can scope projects with shorter timelines and higher confidence, because the design *is* the initial build. If you can talk it, you can build it.

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My $0.02 — How I’d roll this out

My plan to integrate Figma Code Layers into an agency workflow is a simple three-day sprint. The goal is to move from theory to practical application quickly, building confidence and updating internal processes to reflect this new capability. It’s about making this powerful tool a standard part of the toolkit, not a novelty.

Day 1 — Test a single component. I’d pick one simple, self-contained component from an existing project, like a button or a feature card. I’d run it through the 5-step workflow to get a feel for the prompts and the quality of the exported code. The goal is just to prove the concept to myself and my team.

Day 2 — Build a full hero section. I’d take a real client hero section and build it from scratch using Code Layers. I’d add animations, test responsive behavior with prompts, and see how close I can get to production-ready code. This is the real test of its power on a piece of work that actually matters.

Day 3 — Update my agency’s process doc. I’d update my standard operating procedure for web projects. The “Design Handoff” phase gets replaced with a “Component Prototyping” phase. I’d create a short Loom video for my team and clients showing the new workflow. This sets the expectation that we’re now delivering working code, not just pictures of websites.

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FAQ

What frameworks does Figma Code Layers support?
Currently, Figma has confirmed support for React and Vue. While more frameworks are expected, these are the two available at launch. The system is designed to be extensible, so support for others like Svelte or Angular may follow.

When can I use Figma Code Layers?
Figma began rolling out Code Layers in July 2026, following its announcement at Config 2026. It’s being released to users on a waitlist first, so you may need to sign up for early access at figma.com/config-betas to get it.

Does this replace developers?
No, it changes their role. It automates the tedious work of translating a static design into front-end code. This frees up developers to focus on more complex logic, data integration, and system architecture instead of pixel-pushing CSS.

Is this feature free?
Figma has not yet clarified which plans will include Code Layers. New, powerful features like this are often included in their paid professional or organization tiers, but final pricing and availability details are still being released.

How is this different from Figma’s Dev Mode?
Dev Mode provides code suggestions and design tokens based on a static design. Code Layers creates a live, interactive, and editable code instance directly on the canvas. It’s the difference between a blueprint and the actual working machine.

Can I use my own component library?
Yes. One of the most powerful features is the ability to clone existing repositories directly onto the Figma canvas. This means you can bring in your established product code and design with your live, production components.

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Part of the AI Pulse series. If you commented “FIGMA” on one of my videos — this is the breakdown.

Last updated: 2026-07-13.