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What Figma Dev Mode does
Figma describes Dev Mode as a developer-focused interface for inspecting and navigating designs. It adds handoff-oriented ways to explore layers, review layout and style properties, view generated code, export assets, compare changes, and coordinate implementation. The specific options visible can depend on the file, its settings, the plan, and the seat. See Figma’s Guide to Dev Mode in Figma.
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Open or leave Dev Mode
- Open a Figma Design file you have permission to access.
- Select the Dev Mode toggle, or press Shift+D.
- Use the same toggle or shortcut to return to Design Mode. A Dev Mode link can also open a file directly in that mode.
Which Figma seat includes Dev Mode?
Figma’s published seat comparison distinguishes full Dev Mode access from basic inspection. Full and Dev seats include full Dev Mode; Collab and View seats do not. All four support basic inspection, while only a Full seat includes editing Figma Design files. Dev seats include view and comment access in Figma Design, not design editing. Check Figma’s live seat comparison and management guide because seat packaging can change.
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| Seat | Full Dev Mode | Edit Figma Design | Basic inspection | Typical fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full | Yes | Yes | Yes | Design or development work that also requires design editing |
| Dev | Yes | No | Yes | Development and handoff inspection without design editing |
| Collab | No | No | Yes | Collaboration with basic inspection |
| View | No | No | Yes | Viewing and basic inspection |
Seats and file permissions are different
A seat determines which Figma products and features you can use; permissions determine which files you can access and what actions are allowed within them. You need both the right seat and permission to the particular file. As Figma puts it in its file and project permissions guide, seats are separate from permissions.
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- An eligible Full or Dev seat does not grant access to a file you have not been shared into.
- Being able to open or view a file does not mean your seat includes Dev Mode.
- File-level restrictions can also affect particular inspection or copying tools.
What you can inspect without Dev Mode
If you cannot use Dev Mode, Design Mode may still provide basic inspection. Figma says people with view access can measure distances and copy generated CSS, iOS, or Android code; its admin guidance also describes viewing properties and measurements and exporting assets with a View seat. The exact capabilities depend on the file and access settings. See the Guide to inspecting and Dev Mode for admins.
What Dev Mode shows
When available, the Inspect panel can surface layout details, colors, typography, text strings, component properties, styles, and variables. Selecting an object can show generated code. Where supported, you can choose a language or plugin and adjust units in Inspect settings. Components may include previews and links to their main component, documentation, or development resources. The inspection guide documents these tools.
Code and sharing restrictions
If copying and sharing are disabled for a file, the Code section may not appear. A missing Code section can therefore reflect the file’s restrictions rather than a problem with the selected layer or your workflow.
Compare design changes
When a design has changed, Dev Mode can offer Compare changes, which opens a history view for comparing versions. For a component instance, you can compare it with its main component; version history is also available from the file name menu. Details are in Figma’s Dev Mode guide.
Annotations
Anyone with a Full seat and can edit access can add measurements and annotations. People with Full or Dev seats and at least can view access can view them, according to Figma’s inspection guide.
Ready for dev view
Ready for dev view helps teams find sections, frames, and components marked for developer review and implementation. Figma’s current documentation describes it as available on Organization and Enterprise plans to Full, Dev, and View seats. Full and Dev seats can change statuses and access focus view; the view can list All, Ready, or Completed and sort by recent activity, pages, or name. Because plan eligibility and seat entitlements can change, check Figma’s Ready for dev view guide for current details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common access problems
You can see a file but cannot switch to Dev Mode
Check your seat first: View and Collab seats include basic inspection, not full Dev Mode. Then confirm the file is accessible under your account’s permissions. Both checks matter; file access alone does not add a Dev Mode entitlement.
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You have a Full or Dev seat but cannot access the file
Ask the file owner or organization administrator to check your file or project permissions. A seat governs feature access, not automatic access to every design.
The Code section is missing
Check whether copying and sharing are disabled for that file. Figma notes that this setting can suppress the Code section.
You are on Starter
Figma’s admin guidance says Dev Mode is unavailable on Starter; its general guide describes Dev Mode as a paid-plan feature requiring a Full or Dev seat. Verify current eligibility on Figma’s plans and features page before changing a plan.
How much does a Dev seat cost?
Figma says subscription cost depends on the plan and number of seats and directs administrators to its pricing page for current per-seat prices. Since pricing can change and no current amount is established here, check Figma’s live pricing information rather than relying on an older quote. For plan and entitlement context, see its seat guide.
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