Using Figma with Git: Version Control for Designers

Introduction: Git for Designers? Yes, It’s Time.

While developers have long relied on Git for version control, designers have often worked in isolation—duplicating files, renaming frames with v1, v2-final, v2-final-FINAL… and hoping nothing breaks.

With the rise of design systems, dev collaboration, and component-based workflows, it’s time for designers to learn from Git workflows—and Figma makes it possible.

In this article, we’ll explore how to combine Figma and Git-inspired thinking to manage changes, collaborate smarter, and keep your design history clean and trackable.

Why Version Control Matters in Design

Without version control, teams run into:

Conflicting edits and overwritten work
Confusing file versions and duplicates
No record of why or when something changed
Broken design systems and inconsistent UI

Version control brings:
✅ Clarity
✅ Accountability
✅ Revertability
✅ Developer alignment

Figma’s Built-In Version Control

Figma provides basic versioning features right out of the box:

🕓 Version History

Access via File → Show Version History
Automatically saves checkpoints
You can name specific versions (e.g., “Pre-launch tweaks”)
Restore or duplicate any version

🔖 Named Versions

Helps create design milestones
Perfect for tagging major changes: “Sprint 4 Ready”, “Handoff v1”

✅ Auto-Save

Every change is automatically saved to the cloud—no manual saving needed.

Git-Inspired Workflows in Figma

While Figma doesn’t integrate with Git natively, you can adopt Git-like habits in your design process:

1. Work in Branches (Pages or Files)

Use duplicate files or pages as temporary “branches.”

Git Concept	Figma Equivalent
Branch	Duplicate Page/File
Commit	Version History Save
Merge	Copy final changes to main
Pull Request	Share file for review

Example:

Main file: UI Library
Create: UI Library – Redesign Branch
After review, merge changes into UI Library

2. Use Descriptive Version Labels

Instead of random autosaves, name key milestones like:

v1.0 – Initial Wireframes
v1.1 – UI Polish
v2.0 – Navigation Redesign

These act as visual commits that you and your team can reference or roll back to.

3. Changelogs and Comments

Use a Changelog page inside your Figma file to document:

What was changed
Why it was changed
When it was done
Who approved it

Encourage team comments using @mentions to replicate pull request feedback.

4. Track Token and Component Changes

If you’re using Figma Variables or a design system, treat any change to a token or core component like a Git commit:

Name the version
Record the reasoning
Notify the team

Pro tip: Use description fields in components to leave notes about updates or intended use.

5. Integrate with GitHub or Dev Tools (Optional)

Figma plugins and integrations can link design to code more directly:

Figma → GitHub Plugin: Link Figma frames to GitHub PRs
Storybook Add-on: Match coded components to design components
Design Tokens plugins: Export variables as JSON to commit to Git

Even without Git itself, you can connect the dots between design and development pipelines.

Best Practices for Design Version Control

Tip	Why It Works
Create backups before big changes	Prevents loss or regret
Name your versions clearly	Easier to track design decisions
Use duplicate pages/files as branches	Safe playground for ideas
Keep changelogs up to date	Builds team trust and traceability
Involve devs in feedback cycles	Aligns design and code more closely

Limitations to Keep in Mind

No native “merge” tool like Git—merging is manual
Diffing visual changes is harder than text/code
Figma’s history doesn’t show who changed what line-by-line

Still, it’s miles ahead of the old “Final_v7_REALLY_final” way of working.

Conclusion: Versioning Isn’t Just for Developers

Design is no longer a handoff—it’s part of the product pipeline. Using Git-like workflows in Figma helps teams collaborate better, track changes smarter, and build systems that scale.

You don’t need to be a developer to think in versions.
You just need to care about clarity.

Next up: “Building Complex Animations in Figma with Smart Animate” — where we dive into movement, transitions, and motion-based storytelling.