figma-plugin

name	figma-plugin
description	Use when building Figma plugins, creating design automation tools, implementing sandbox/UI communication, or working with the Figma Plugin API for node manipulation, styles, and components.
metadata	{"author":"bergside"}

Figma Plugin Development

Build plugins that extend Figma's functionality using the Plugin API.

Architecture

Figma plugins run in two threads communicating via postMessage:

• Main thread (sandbox): Plugin API access, node manipulation, figma.* calls
• UI thread (iframe): HTML/CSS/JS interface, no Figma API access, npm packages allowed

Key Principles

• Main thread handles all Figma document operations
• UI thread handles user interface and external APIs
• Communication between threads via figma.ui.postMessage() and onmessage
• Plugins must be performant — avoid blocking the main thread

Quick Start Checklist

1. Set up project with manifest.json (name, id, main, ui)
2. Create main thread code (code.ts) with plugin logic
3. Create UI (ui.html) with interface elements
4. Wire up postMessage communication between threads
5. Test in Figma development mode
6. Publish via Figma Community

References

Reference	Description
project-structure-and-build.md	Manifest, TypeScript setup, build configuration
development-testing-and-publishing.md	Dev workflow, testing, publishing, troubleshooting
api-globals-and-nodes.md	Global objects, node types, components
api-rendering-and-advanced.md	Paints, effects, auto layout, styles, variables, events
ui-architecture-and-messaging.md	iframe UI, postMessage, typed messages, plain HTML
ui-react-and-theming.md	React setup, hooks, Figma theme colors
ui-patterns-and-resources.md	Loading states, tabs, color pickers, file downloads
selection-traversal-and-batching.md	Selection handling, node traversal, batch operations
colors-and-text.md	Color conversion, manipulation, text operations
layout-storage-and-utilities.md	Positioning, alignment, storage, error handling, utilities

---

Source: bergside/design-md-figma — distributed by TomeVault.