
How to add figma-use to Windsurf
Control Figma from the terminal or as an MCP server — full read/write: create shapes, text, components, render JSX, export images. Paste the config into ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json and restart Windsurf.
Last updated June 14, 2026 · 571★ · http · no auth
Windsurf config for figma-use
npm install -g figma-use{
"mcpServers": {
"figma-use": {
"serverUrl": "http://localhost:38451/mcp"
}
}
}Remote server — no local install needed. Restart the client after saving the config.
Setup steps
- 1Open Windsurf → Cascade → the hammer/MCP icon → Configure (or edit ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json).
- 2Paste the figma-use config below.
- 3Fill in placeholder secrets, then save.
- 4Click Refresh in the MCP panel.
- 5figma-use's tools become available to Cascade.
Before you start
- Node.js with npm (install the `figma-use` package globally or run via npx)
- Figma desktop app launched with remote debugging, e.g. `open -a Figma --args --remote-debugging-port=9222` (or `figma-use daemon start --pipe` for Figma 126+)
- The MCP server running locally via `figma-use mcp serve`
What figma-use can do in Windsurf
figma_statusCheck if Figma is connected.
figma_create_frameCreate a frame with layout (auto-layout or grid).
figma_create_rectCreate a rectangle.
figma_create_textCreate a text node.
figma_create_iconInsert an Iconify icon by name.
figma_set_fillSet the fill color of a node.
figma_set_layoutSet auto-layout or grid layout on a node.
figma_node_moveMove a node.
Security
Requires the Figma desktop app to be launched with remote debugging enabled (e.g. `--remote-debugging-port=9222`), which exposes a Chrome DevTools Protocol endpoint on localhost — only run this on a trusted machine. The MCP server has full read/write access to the open Figma file via the Plugin API. The MCP endpoint is served over local HTTP with no authentication, so do not expose the port beyond localhost.
figma-use + Windsurf FAQ
Where is the Windsurf config file?
Windsurf reads MCP servers from ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json. Paste the figma-use config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.
Is figma-use safe to use with Windsurf?
Requires the Figma desktop app to be launched with remote debugging enabled (e.g. `--remote-debugging-port=9222`), which exposes a Chrome DevTools Protocol endpoint on localhost — only run this on a trusted machine. The MCP server has full read/write access to the open Figma file via the Plugin API. The MCP endpoint is served over local HTTP with no authentication, so do not expose the port beyond localhost.
How is this different from Figma's official MCP server?
Figma's official MCP plugin can read files but cannot modify them. figma-use has full read/write access and can create, edit, and export nodes via the Plugin API.
Do I need to install a Figma plugin?
No. figma-use connects to the Figma desktop app over the Chrome DevTools Protocol. You just start Figma with remote debugging enabled (e.g. `--remote-debugging-port=9222`).
What transport does the MCP server use?
The MCP server runs as a local process (`figma-use mcp serve`) and is added to your MCP client via a `url` pointing at a local HTTP endpoint such as `http://localhost:38451/mcp`. The port can be changed with `--port`.