Figma Plugin to convert Designs to Code
If you’ve ever handed off a beautifully crafted Figma design only to see it morph into something… less beautiful in code, you’re not alone.
The design-to-dev handoff has been a long-standing pain point in the product development world. You design something great in Figma, you get an average final product, mostly.
That’s where tools like Anima come in — quietly, but powerfully reshaping the workflow for designers and developers alike.
So, what is Anima? How does it work? And is it actually helpful, or just another plugin cluttering up your sidebar? Let’s break it all down.
What Exactly Is Anima?
Anima: AI Design to Code | Figma to React | Figma to App / Website | Figma to HTML
At its core, Anima is a Figma plugin that helps you convert your designs into clean, responsive code — think HTML, React, Vue, and even Tailwind CSS. It doesn’t just give you a code dump either. It focuses on generating production-ready components that developers can actually plug into real-world projects without rewriting from scratch.
It’s kind of like having a translator who speaks fluent “designer” and “developer” at the same time.
Why is Anima important?
Here’s the honest truth: The handoff between design and development is usually messy.
Design teams meticulously build polished UIs in Figma
But developers often have to rebuild everything from the ground up based on static mocks.
This results in delays, inconsistencies, and the occasional passive-aggressive Slack message.
Anima aims to streamline that entire process. Instead of handing off screenshots and redlines, you’re handing off actual, usable code that respects layout logic, typography, responsiveness, and interactivity.
It’s not about replacing developers. It’s about speeding things up and making the end result look more like what the designer originally intended.
Key Features That Stand Out
Let’s dig into what Anima actually offers — and what makes it more than just a gimmick.
1. Multi-Framework Code Export
Anima supports multiple code formats: HTML, React (JavaScript or TypeScript), Vue, and Tailwind CSS.
Whether your team lives in the world of modern React apps or prefers more traditional HTML/CSS setups, Anima’s got options.
It even offers support for popular UI libraries like Material UI (MUI), Ant Design, and Shadcn. That’s a big plus when trying to align designs with standardised component systems.
2. Responsive Design with Real Logic
One of the most practical features? Responsiveness. Thanks to its use of Figma’s Auto Layout and support for breakpoints, Anima can generate code that actually adapts to different screen sizes — a must-have in the age of mobile-first everything.
3. Interactive Prototypes That Go Beyond Static Clicks
Anima lets you add hover states, animations, and even embed video or GIF content right inside your prototypes. So instead of presenting a lifeless static mockup, you’re giving stakeholders or clients a prototype that feels like a real app or site.
4. Live Form Elements
Designing contact forms, newsletter signups, or login screens? With Anima, you can build fully functional form fields in Figma — and yes, they actually submit data when hosted through Anima. Super handy for usability testing or stakeholder demos.
5. AI-Powered Code Customisation
One of Anima’s newer tricks involves a bit of AI magic. You can tweak or extend the generated code using natural language prompts right inside the plugin.
Want to add ARIA tags for accessibility? Customise a naming convention? You can do that without manually digging through the output.
So… How Do You Use It?
Using Anima is surprisingly straightforward:
Install the Plugin: Search for “Anima” in the Figma Community and add it to your workspace.
Design as Usual: Build your interface with components, Auto Layout, and responsive logic. No need to reinvent your design process.
Launch Anima: Open the plugin, select your frames, and choose your export format.
Get the Code: Anima will generate a clean code preview. You can copy it, download it, or launch a working prototype.
Bonus: If you switch Figma into Dev Mode, you’ll unlock even more dev-focused features to help streamline the export process.
Who Benefits Most from Anima?
While Anima can technically be used by anyone, it really shines in certain environments:
- Freelancers & Solo Designers: Deliver both design and code assets to clients.
- Design Agencies: Speed up the design-dev cycle and reduce revision loops.
- Startups & MVP Builders: Move fast without sacrificing quality on the front-end.
If your team values quick iteration, high design fidelity, and collaboration across disciplines, Anima might just be worth adding to your toolbox.
Final Word
Anima doesn’t try to reinvent how you design. Instead, it quietly supercharges the workflow you already have. By converting your Figma designs into functional, clean code, it helps both designers and developers stay in sync, move faster, and deliver better work, without needing to speak two entirely different languages.
So, if you’re tired of the handoff headache and ready to make your designs actually do something, Anima might just be the behind-the-scenes hero your workflow needs.
AI for Figma: Anima was originally published in Data Science in Your Pocket on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
