(Q4 2025 Update)
Figma's Dev Mode vs Viewer Mode
Which one do I (or my team) need?
Viewer Mode vs Dev Mode
Permalink to "Viewer Mode vs Dev Mode"In our last article, we introduced Viewer Mode and Dev Mode, their differences, and their use cases. Since its release in 2024, Figma has made several significant improvements to Dev Mode, enhancing the developer experience and streamlining design-to-development workflows. Viewer Mode, in the meanwhile has remained as mentioned.
Dev Mode now provides a significant difference from its Viewer Mode counterpart.
Developer-centric benefits
Permalink to "Developer-centric benefits"- Faster handoff with real-time updates and annotations.
- Better visibility into design status and version history.
- Seamless integration with tools like GitHub*, JIRA*, and VS Code.
- More control over workspace and inspection tools.
Major Dev Mode improvements
Permalink to "Major Dev Mode improvements"Here's a breakdown of the most impactful updates:
Ready for Dev view
Permalink to "Ready for Dev view"-
Centralized location for all frames marked “Ready for dev.”
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Includes filtering and sorting options (e.g., by status, activity, page).
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Helps developers focus only on finalized designs and track changes efficiently.
Code Connect
Permalink to "Code Connect"-
Integrates production-ready code directly into Figma Available starting in Bolt 7!
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Can support:
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HTML based frameworks (Web Components, Angular, Vue)
- React (including React Native)
- SwiftUI
- Jetpack Compose
- Storybook
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Maps component properties from your codebase to Figma designs.
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Replaces generic code snippets with real, dynamic ones.
Annotations in Dev Mode
Permalink to "Annotations in Dev Mode"-
Designers can add contextual notes, specs, and measurements directly to designs.
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Developers with Dev Mode access can add contextual annotations (if they are given edit access to the design file).
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Annotations are layer-linked and update live as designs change.
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Visibility toggles based on zoom level to reduce clutter.
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Plugin API allows bulk creation and management of annotations.
Component playground
Permalink to "Component playground"- Dedicated, integrated playground where experimentation with component props and modes (e.g., light/dark themes) can be done without effecting the design.
- View nested props and test configurations without leaving Dev Mode.
Version history & change comparison
Permalink to "Version history & change comparison"- View previous versions of designs directly in Dev Mode.
- Compare visual and code changes between iterations.
Expanded code export options
Permalink to "Expanded code export options"- Brought back Android XML and iOS UIKit.
- Added UIColor format for better platform-specific support.
Improved inspect panel
Permalink to "Improved inspect panel"- Redesigned with clearer icons and optional labels.
- Easier access to spacing, typography, design tokens, and variables.
VS Code integration
Permalink to "VS Code integration"-
Notifications and file access directly in VS Code.
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Streamlines workflow between design and development environments.
Multi-object export
Permalink to "Multi-object export"- Select and export multiple objects at once using Shift-click.
Improved accessibility
Permalink to "Improved accessibility"- Expanded keyboard-only controls for Dev Mode.
- Enhanced screen reader support and object descriptions.
- More reliable navigation and feedback tools.
Who needs Dev Mode?
Permalink to "Who needs Dev Mode?"| Role/Need | Best mode | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Dev Mode | Full inspect tools, code snippets, version tracking |
| Designer (handoff phase) | Dev Mode | Ensures devs see only finalized frames |
| Stakeholder/Client | Viewer Mode | Simple review and feedback |
| QA Tester | Viewer Mode | Visual reference for testing |
| Product Manager | Viewer Mode | Review flows and leave comments |