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Set up the desktop server

note

We strongly recommend the remote server. The desktop server requires the Figma desktop app and a Dev or Full seat on a Professional, Education, Organization, Government, or Enterprise plan. It doesn't support writing to the canvas or sending UI to Figma.

Step 1: Enable the desktop server in Figma​

  1. Open the Figma desktop app and make sure it’s up to date.
  2. Create or open a Figma Design file.
  3. With nothing selected, switch to Dev Mode using the toggle in the toolbar, or press Shift D.
  4. In the MCP server section of the right sidebar, click Enable desktop MCP server.

A confirmation message appears at the bottom of the screen when the server is running. The desktop server runs locally at http://127.0.0.1:3845/mcp. You’ll need this address in the next step.

Step 2: Connect your client​

See the steps for your client. For other clients, add the server using this configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "figma-desktop": {
      "url": "http://127.0.0.1:3845/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Then refresh or restart the server in your client. You should see a successful connection and a list of available tools. If the connection fails or no tools appear, check that the server is still enabled in the Figma desktop app.

Step 3 (optional): Adjust desktop server settings​

In the MCP server section of the right sidebar in Dev Mode, click Open settings modal. You can change:

  • Image settings: Choose how image assets are handled.

    • Local server: Returns localhost links to images, so you can use the actual image assets wherever your file is rendered.
    • Download assets: Lets the MCP server download image assets, such as icons and images, from Figma into your project.

  • Enable Code Connect: Includes Code Connect mappings in responses, so generated code can reuse components from your codebase where possible.

Steps for each client​

After you enable the desktop server, follow the steps for your client. Xcode supports the remote server only.

Claude Code​

  1. In your terminal, run:

    claude mcp add --transport http figma-desktop http://127.0.0.1:3845/mcp

  2. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the change.

  3. Type /mcp to confirm the Figma MCP server is listed.

To manage the server from your terminal:

  • List all servers: claude mcp list
  • See details for the Figma server: claude mcp get figma-desktop
  • Remove the Figma server: claude mcp remove figma-desktop

For more about MCP servers in Claude Code, see Anthropic’s documentation.

Codex​

  1. In the lower-left corner of Codex, click Settings, then click Settings again.
  2. In the left sidebar, click MCP servers.
  3. Above the list of servers, click Add server.
  4. Change the server type from STDIO to Streamable HTTP.
  5. In the Name field, enter figma-desktop.
  6. In the URL field, enter http://127.0.0.1:3845/mcp.
  7. In the lower-right corner, click Save.

You can use the desktop server in Codex while the Figma desktop app is open and the desktop server is on.

Cursor​

  1. Open the command palette:

    • Mac: Cmd Shift P
    • Windows: Ctrl Shift P

  2. Search for Cursor Settings.

  3. Select Tools & MCP.

  4. Click Add Custom MCP.

  5. Add this configuration to the file:

    {
      "mcpServers": {
        "figma-desktop": {
          "url": "http://127.0.0.1:3845/mcp"
        }
      }
    }

  6. Save the file and go back to Cursor Settings.

When the Figma MCP server shows as on, you're ready to use the desktop server in Cursor.

VS Code​

  1. Open the command palette and search for MCP: Add Server.
  2. Select HTTP.
  3. Paste the server URL http://127.0.0.1:3845/mcp, then press Enter.
  4. When asked for a server ID, enter figma-desktop, then press Enter.
  5. Choose where to save the server: for all your projects, or only for the current workspace.
  6. Open the chat (Ctrl Cmd I on Mac, or Ctrl Alt I on Windows) and switch to Agent mode.
  7. Type #get_design_context to check that the Figma MCP server tools are available. If no tools appear, restart the Figma desktop app and VS Code.

For more about MCP servers in VS Code, see VS Code's documentation.

Figma for Government​

Figma for Government supports the desktop server only. To set it up, follow the desktop server steps using the Figma for Government desktop app instead of the standard Figma desktop app.

These tools are available:

  • get_screenshot
  • get_design_context
  • get_metadata
  • get_figjam
  • get_variable_defs
  • get_code_connect_map
  • add_code_connect_map
  • create_design_system_rules

These features aren't currently available on Figma for Government:

caution

MCP services for Figma for Government aren't included in Figma’s FedRAMP audit. Figma is working to bring them into scope for a future audit. If you're evaluating Figma for Government against FedRAMP requirements, account for this.