Learn the best ways to share your Figma designs with developers, ensuring a smooth handoff process from design to code. This guide covers inviting collaborators, using Dev Mode, and sharing best practices.
Before sharing, ensure your file is well-organized. Use clear naming conventions for layers and frames, group related elements, and define components and styles. This makes it much easier for developers to navigate.
In the top-right corner of your Figma file, click the blue Share button. This will open the sharing modal with options for inviting people and managing access.
In the sharing modal, enter the developer's email address. Set their permission level to 'can view'. This allows them to inspect the design, get measurements, and export assets without accidentally making edits.
Alternatively, you can create a shareable link. Set the link access to 'Anyone with the link can view'. Copy the link and send it to your development team via Slack, email, or your project management tool.
Encourage developers to toggle on Dev Mode using the switch at the top-right of the editor. This specialized view provides code snippets (CSS, iOS, Android), specs, and a streamlined way to download assets, bridging the gap between design and implementation.
Best Practices for a Smooth Handoff
Build your UI with components and variants. This not only speeds up your design process but also helps developers understand reusable elements and their different states.
Use Figma's prototyping features to link frames and demonstrate user flows and interactions. This provides crucial context that static screens can't convey.
In the right-hand sidebar under the 'Export' section, mark any icons, images, or other assets that need to be exported. Developers can then easily download them in various formats (PNG, SVG, etc.) directly from Dev Mode.
Use the comment tool (C) to leave notes and specifications directly on the design. This is perfect for clarifying complex interactions or providing extra details that aren't obvious.
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