At its first Config event in India, Figma unveiled a new Markdown-based editor named Figma Specs that helps companies define design languages clearly and consistently, alongside releasing its code layers feature in public beta to foster more interactive design-to-code workflows.
- Figma Specs provides centralized markdown-based design language definition
- Public beta launched for code layers to integrate code directly in design canvas
- New integrations with Payload CMS and over 20 AI tools improve ecosystem
What happened
Figma revealed several new platform features during its Config event held in India, including the introduction of Figma Specs, a markdown-based editor designed to define and communicate a company’s design language clearly. This editor can serve as a standalone file or coexist inside Figma canvases, letting users embed FigJam diagrams, code layers, and existing design elements for easier referencing.
The company also made its code layers feature publicly available in beta. This feature integrates coding with design on the canvas, enabling users to convert designs into code or modify code directly to create more interactive prototypes. Figma further announced expanded support for over 20 new tools through its MCP, including prominent AI-powered integrations and Payload CMS, which they acquired last year and now integrate closely with their Figma Make product.
Why it matters
As AI increasingly supports design and development workflows, providing tools to define, manage, and enforce design systems is critical to maintaining consistency and control. Figma Specs offers a centralized, readable way to codify design standards and provide context to both human teams and AI agents, guiding them toward predictable outcomes in creative work.
The public beta of code layers empowers designers and developers to collaborate more closely by bridging the gap between design and actual code, accelerating prototyping and iteration. Additionally, integrating with Payload CMS and a growing suite of AI tools strengthens Figma's position as a hub for modern software teams aiming to design and ship products comprehensively and efficiently.
What to watch next
Monitoring how widely Figma Specs is adopted by teams and agencies will be crucial to understanding whether markdown-based design language definitions become a best practice for managing AI-assisted design workflows. Adoption success will also hinge on the flexibility and usability of these tools within diverse organizational contexts.
Similarly, feedback from users on the public beta of code layers will shape how Figma evolves this feature. Interest will focus on how well this integration facilitates easier iteration and cross-functional collaboration without compromising design integrity. Observers should also track Figma’s expanding partnerships and integrations with AI startups and tools, especially in India where it has a significant user base, to gauge broader ecosystem impact.