figma-bridge

Figma MCP Bridge — Operation Skill

How to work through the figma-mcp-bridge effectively and honestly. Read this before any write-heavy design session. Applies to bridge v0.4.0+.

Verification discipline — the core of this skill

1. Verify bindings by readback, not by assumption. figma_get_nodes (full depth) returns boundVariables (node-level variable bindings), explicitVariableModes (pinned modes), layoutWrap, counterAxisSpacing, and clipsContent. After binding, pinning, or layout work, read the node back and confirm the field says what you intended. Mutating tools echo readbacks in their responses (verified: true, resulting explicitVariableModes, per-side stroke weights, etc.) — check them.

2. Export the render and look at it before reporting done. figma_export_node writes the image to disk and returns the path — Read the file and actually look at it. Property readback cannot see composition: real sessions passed every numeric check while renders showed a portrait video well where a 16:9 one belonged, a heading breaking mid-word, and a button hugging at 140px instead of spanning its form. Looking catches what measuring cannot.

3. Report honestly.

• If a tool errors, report the failure — never record the work as done.
• If a readback disagrees with a success response, report that too.
• Never paper over a missing capability by hardcoding a value.
• The bridge errors instead of silently no-oping (see error codes below); treat those errors as information about Figma's real constraints, not as obstacles to retry around.

Errors that mean "Figma forbids this" (don't retry — change approach)

• INSTANCE_SUBLAYER_RESTRICTED — size binds, resizes, and reorders inside an instance are not allowed. Make the change on the component master; it flows to every instance.
• MODE_NOT_FOUND / COLLECTION_NOT_FOUND — the modeId/collectionId is wrong; the error lists valid modes.
• WRONG_EDITOR / FIGMA_DESIGN_ONLY — the tool is gated to FigJam or Figma Design; the error names the current editor type (there are five: figma, figjam, dev, slides, buzz).
• BIND_NOT_APPLIED / STYLE_NOT_APPLIED / RESIZE_NO_OP / REORDER_FAILED / LIMIT_NOT_APPLIED — the write did not land and the bridge is telling you instead of pretending. Report it.