Code Connect Components

Code Connect Components

Overview

This skill helps you connect Figma design components to their corresponding code implementations using Figma's Code Connect feature. It analyzes the Figma design structure, searches your codebase for matching components, and establishes mappings that maintain design-code consistency.

Prerequisites

• Figma MCP server must be connected and accessible
• User must provide a Figma URL with node ID: https://figma.com/design/:fileKey/:fileName?node-id=1-2
  • IMPORTANT: The Figma URL must include the node-id parameter. Code Connect mapping will fail without it.
• OR when using figma-desktop MCP: User can select a node directly in the Figma desktop app (no URL required)
• IMPORTANT: The Figma component must be published to a team library. Code Connect only works with published components or component sets.
• IMPORTANT: Code Connect is only available on Organization and Enterprise plans.
• Access to the project codebase for component scanning

Required Workflow

Follow these steps in order. Do not skip steps.

Step 1: Get Code Connect Suggestions

Call get_code_connect_suggestions to identify all unmapped components in a single operation. This tool automatically:

• Fetches component info from the Figma scenegraph
• Identifies published components in the selection
• Checks existing Code Connect mappings and filters out already-connected components
• Returns component names, properties, and thumbnail images for each unmapped component

Option A: Using figma-desktop MCP (no URL provided)

If the figma-desktop MCP server is connected and the user has NOT provided a Figma URL, immediately call get_code_connect_suggestions. No URL parsing is needed — the desktop MCP server automatically uses the currently selected node from the open Figma file.

Note: The user must have the Figma desktop app open with a node selected. fileKey is not passed as a parameter — the server uses the currently open file.

Option B: When a Figma URL is provided

Parse the URL to extract fileKey and nodeId, then call get_code_connect_suggestions.

IMPORTANT: When extracting the node ID from a Figma URL, convert the format:

• URL format uses hyphens: node-id=1-2
• Tool expects colons: nodeId=1:2

Parse the Figma URL:

• URL format: https://figma.com/design/:fileKey/:fileName?node-id=1-2
• Extract file key: :fileKey (segment after /design/)
• Extract node ID: 1-2 from URL, then convert to 1:2 for the tool

get_code_connect_suggestions(fileKey=":fileKey", nodeId="1:2")

Handle the response:

• If the tool returns "No published components found in this selection" → inform the user and stop. The components may need to be published to a team library first.
• If the tool returns "All component instances in this selection are already connected to code via Code Connect" → inform the user that everything is already mapped.
• Otherwise, the response contains a list of unmapped components, each with:
  • Component name
  • Node ID
  • Component properties (JSON with prop names and values)
  • A thumbnail image of the component (for visual inspection)

Step 2: Scan Codebase for Matching Components

For each unmapped component returned by get_code_connect_suggestions, search the codebase for a matching code component.

What to look for:

• Component names that match or are similar to the Figma component name
• Component structure that aligns with the Figma hierarchy
• Props that correspond to Figma properties (variants, text, styles)
• Files in typical component directories (src/components/, components/, ui/, etc.)

Search strategy:

1. Search for component files with matching names
2. Read candidate files to check structure and props
3. Compare the code component's props with the Figma component properties returned in Step 1
4. Detect the programming language (TypeScript, JavaScript) and framework (React, Vue, etc.)
5. Identify the best match based on structural similarity, weighing:
   • Prop names and their correspondence to Figma properties
   • Default values that match Figma defaults
   • CSS classes or style objects
   • Descriptive comments that clarify intent
6. If multiple candidates are equally good, pick the one with the closest prop-interface match and document your reasoning in a 1-2 sentence comment before your tool call

Example search patterns:

• If Figma component is "PrimaryButton", search for Button.tsx, PrimaryButton.tsx, Button.jsx
• Check common component paths: src/components/, app/components/, lib/ui/
• Look for variant props like variant, size, color that match Figma variants

Step 3: Present Matches to User

Present your findings and let the user choose which mappings to create. The user can accept all, some, or none of the suggested mappings.

Present matches in this format:

The following components match the design:
- [ComponentName](path/to/component): DesignComponentName at nodeId [nodeId](figmaUrl?node-id=X-Y)
- [AnotherComponent](path/to/another): AnotherDesign at nodeId [nodeId2](figmaUrl?node-id=X-Y)

Would you like to connect these components? You can accept all, select specific ones, or skip.

If no exact match is found for a component:

• Show the 2 closest candidates
• Explain the differences
• Ask the user to confirm which component to use or provide the correct path

If the user declines all mappings, inform them and stop. No further tool calls are needed.

Step 4: Create Code Connect Mappings

Once the user confirms their selections, call send_code_connect_mappings with only the accepted mappings. This tool handles batch creation of all mappings in a single call.

Example:

send_code_connect_mappings(
  fileKey=":fileKey",
  nodeId="1:2",
  mappings=[
    { nodeId: "1:2", componentName: "Button", source: "src/components/Button.tsx", label: "React" },
    { nodeId: "1:5", componentName: "Card", source: "src/components/Card.tsx", label: "React" }
  ]
)

Key parameters for each mapping:

• nodeId: The Figma node ID (with colon format: 1:2)
• componentName: Name of the component to connect (e.g., "Button", "Card")
• source: Path to the code component file (relative to project root)
• label: The framework or language label for this Code Connect mapping. Valid values include:
  • Web: 'React', 'Web Components', 'Vue', 'Svelte', 'Storybook', 'Javascript'
  • iOS: 'Swift UIKit', 'Objective-C UIKit', 'SwiftUI'
  • Android: 'Compose', 'Java', 'Kotlin', 'Android XML Layout'
  • Cross-platform: 'Flutter'
  • Docs: 'Markdown'

After the call:

• On success: the tool confirms the mappings were created
• On error: the tool reports which specific mappings failed and why (e.g., "Component is already mapped to code", "Published component not found", "Insufficient permissions")

Provide a summary after processing:

Code Connect Summary:
- Successfully connected: 3
  - Button (1:2) → src/components/Button.tsx
  - Card (1:5) → src/components/Card.tsx
  - Input (1:8) → src/components/Input.tsx
- Could not connect: 1
  - CustomWidget (1:10) - No matching component found in codebase

Examples

Example 1: Connecting a Button Component

User says: "Connect this Figma button to my code: https://figma.com/design/kL9xQn2VwM8pYrTb4ZcHjF/DesignSystem?node-id=42-15"

Actions:

1. Parse URL: fileKey=kL9xQn2VwM8pYrTb4ZcHjF, nodeId=42-15 → convert to 42:15

2. Run get_code_connect_suggestions(fileKey="kL9xQn2VwM8pYrTb4ZcHjF", nodeId="42:15")

3. Response shows: Button component (unmapped) with variant (primary/secondary) and size (sm/md/lg) properties, plus a thumbnail image

4. Search codebase for Button components: Find src/components/Button.tsx

5. Read Button.tsx and confirm it has variant and size props

6. Present to user: "I found a match:

   • Button: Button at nodeId 42:15

   Would you like to connect this component?"

7. User confirms: "Yes"

8. Detect that it's a TypeScript React component

9. Run send_code_connect_mappings(fileKey="kL9xQn2VwM8pYrTb4ZcHjF", nodeId="42:15", mappings=[{ nodeId: "42:15", componentName: "Button", source: "src/components/Button.tsx", label: "React" }])

Result: Figma button component is now connected to the code Button component.

Example 2: Multiple Components with Partial Selection

User says: "Connect components in this frame: https://figma.com/design/pR8mNv5KqXzGwY2JtCfL4D/Components?node-id=10-50"

Actions:

1. Parse URL: fileKey=pR8mNv5KqXzGwY2JtCfL4D, nodeId=10-50 → convert to 10:50

2. Run get_code_connect_suggestions(fileKey="pR8mNv5KqXzGwY2JtCfL4D", nodeId="10:50")

3. Response shows 3 unmapped components: ProductCard, Badge, and CustomWidget

4. Search codebase:

   • ProductCard: Found src/components/ProductCard.tsx (props match)
   • Badge: Found src/components/Badge.tsx (props match)
   • CustomWidget: No matching component found

5. Present to user: "The following components match the design:

   • ProductCard: ProductCard at nodeId 10:51
   • Badge: Badge at nodeId 10:52

   I couldn't find a match for CustomWidget (10:53).

   Would you like to connect these components? You can accept all, select specific ones, or skip."

6. User: "Just connect ProductCard, skip Badge for now"

7. Run send_code_connect_mappings(fileKey="pR8mNv5KqXzGwY2JtCfL4D", nodeId="10:50", mappings=[{ nodeId: "10:51", componentName: "ProductCard", source: "src/components/ProductCard.tsx", label: "React" }])

Result: Only ProductCard is connected, per the user's selection.

Example 3: Component Needs Creation

User says: "Connect this icon: https://figma.com/design/8yJDMeWDyBz71EnMOSuUiw/Icons?node-id=5-20"

Actions:

1. Parse URL: fileKey=8yJDMeWDyBz71EnMOSuUiw, nodeId=5-20 → convert to 5:20
2. Run get_code_connect_suggestions(fileKey="8yJDMeWDyBz71EnMOSuUiw", nodeId="5:20")
3. Response shows: CheckIcon component (unmapped) with color and size properties
4. Search codebase for CheckIcon: No matches found
5. Search for generic Icon components: Find src/icons/ directory with other icons
6. Report to user: "I couldn't find a CheckIcon component, but I found an icons directory at src/icons/. Would you like to:
   • Create a new CheckIcon.tsx component first, then connect it
   • Connect to a different existing icon
   • Provide the path to the CheckIcon if it exists elsewhere"
7. User provides path: "src/icons/CheckIcon.tsx"
8. Detect language and framework from the file
9. Run send_code_connect_mappings(fileKey="8yJDMeWDyBz71EnMOSuUiw", nodeId="5:20", mappings=[{ nodeId: "5:20", componentName: "CheckIcon", source: "src/icons/CheckIcon.tsx", label: "React" }])

Result: CheckIcon component is successfully connected to the Figma design.

Best Practices

Proactive Component Discovery

Don't just ask the user for the file path — actively search their codebase to find matching components. This provides a better experience and catches potential mapping opportunities.

Accurate Structure Matching

When comparing Figma components to code components, look beyond just names. Check that:

• Props align (variant types, size options, etc.)
• Component hierarchy matches (nested elements)
• The component serves the same purpose

Clear Communication

When offering to create a mapping, clearly explain:

• What you found
• Why it's a good match
• What the mapping will do
• How props will be connected

Handle Ambiguity

If multiple components could match, present options rather than guessing. Let the user make the final decision about which component to connect.

Graceful Degradation

If you can't find an exact match, provide helpful next steps:

• Show close candidates
• Suggest component creation
• Ask for user guidance

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue: "No published components found in this selection"

Cause: The Figma component is not published to a team library. Code Connect only works with published components. Solution: The user needs to publish the component to a team library in Figma:

1. In Figma, select the component or component set
2. Right-click and choose "Publish to library" or use the Team Library publish modal
3. Publish the component
4. Once published, retry the Code Connect mapping with the same node ID

Issue: "Code Connect is only available on Organization and Enterprise plans"

Cause: The user's Figma plan does not include Code Connect access. Solution: The user needs to upgrade to an Organization or Enterprise plan, or contact their administrator.

Issue: No matching component found in codebase

Cause: The codebase search did not find a component with a matching name or structure. Solution: Ask the user if the component exists under a different name or in a different location. They may need to create the component first, or it might be located in an unexpected directory.

Issue: "Published component not found" (CODE_CONNECT_ASSET_NOT_FOUND)

Cause: The source file path is incorrect, the component doesn't exist at that location, or the componentName doesn't match the actual export. Solution: Verify the source path is correct and relative to the project root. Check that the component is properly exported from the file with the exact componentName specified.

Issue: "Component is already mapped to code" (CODE_CONNECT_MAPPING_ALREADY_EXISTS)

Cause: A Code Connect mapping already exists for this component. Solution: The component is already connected. If the user wants to update the mapping, they may need to remove the existing one first in Figma.

Issue: "Insufficient permissions to create mapping" (CODE_CONNECT_INSUFFICIENT_PERMISSIONS)

Cause: The user does not have edit permissions on the Figma file or library. Solution: The user needs edit access to the file containing the component. Contact the file owner or team admin.

Issue: Code Connect mapping fails with URL errors

Cause: The Figma URL format is incorrect or missing the node-id parameter. Solution: Verify the URL follows the required format: https://figma.com/design/:fileKey/:fileName?node-id=1-2. The node-id parameter is required. Also ensure you convert 1-2 to 1:2 when calling tools.

Issue: Multiple similar components found

Cause: The codebase contains multiple components that could match the Figma component. Solution: Present all candidates to the user with their file paths and let them choose which one to connect. Different components might be used in different contexts (e.g., Button.tsx vs LinkButton.tsx).

Understanding Code Connect

Code Connect establishes a bidirectional link between design and code:

For designers: See which code component implements a Figma component For developers: Navigate from Figma designs directly to the code that implements them For teams: Maintain a single source of truth for component mappings

The mapping you create helps keep design and code in sync by making these connections explicit and discoverable.

Additional Resources

For more information about Code Connect:

• Code Connect Documentation
• Figma MCP Server Tools and Prompts