The Ultimate Figma Dev Mode Guide (With Handoff Checklists)

Introduction: Design Meets Build

Figma’s Dev Mode is more than just a new interface—it’s a powerful shift in how designers and developers collaborate. With structured access to specs, assets, and documentation, Dev Mode makes developer handoff smoother, faster, and less error-prone than ever before.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through what Dev Mode is, how to use it effectively, and provide a detailed handoff checklist to keep your workflows tight and your product teams in sync.

1. What Is Figma Dev Mode?

Released in 2023, Dev Mode is a dedicated interface that gives developers a focused view of design specs.

Key Features:

Element inspection (spacing, color, font)
Code snippets (CSS, iOS, Android)
Asset export tools
Version history
Section-level organization
Plugin integrations (like Storybook, Zeplin, Jira)

🧠 It hides design tools that devs don’t need and brings forward the details they do.

2. How to Enable Dev Mode

To use Dev Mode:

Open any Figma file.
Click the “Dev Mode” toggle in the top-right.
The canvas transforms into a streamlined environment:
- Frames are organized by sections
- Hovering reveals specs
- Clicking elements gives code-ready values

✅ You can also open Dev Mode via shared links if you’re a developer only.

3. What Developers Can See in Dev Mode

Feature	Details Shown
Fonts	Family, weight, size, line-height
Colors	Hex, RGB, style name
Spacing	Padding, margin, layout alignment
Layout	Auto Layout, constraints, positioning
Assets	SVG, PNG, PDF download options
Code	CSS, iOS, Android snippets
Variables	Bound tokens, mode-specific values

🛠 Developers can inspect, copy, and use design data without asking designers for specs.

4. How to Prepare Your Figma File for Dev Mode

A clean file = smooth handoff.

✅ Developer Handoff Checklist:

Structure & Sections

Organize pages by feature or flow (Login, Dashboard, Settings)
Use sections in each page to group related frames
Name all frames clearly (Login Form, CTA Modal)

Components & Styles

Use shared components across your design
Apply text and color styles—no local overrides
Use Auto Layout consistently for spacing

Variables & Tokens

Bind values (colors, spacing, type) to variables
Switch between light/dark or brand modes

Asset Prep

Mark icons and images as Exportable
Use SVG for logos and simple icons
Provide 1x, 2x sizes if needed

Documentation

Add sticky notes or callouts for edge cases
Use plugins like Storybook Connect or Jira Plugin to link specs

🧠 Pro Tip: Create a “For Devs” page with documentation, status labels, and changelogs.

5. Best Practices for Dev Mode Collaboration

Schedule handoff walkthroughs in Dev Mode (Zoom, Loom, or live)
Use comments for clarifications and updates
Invite developers as Viewers in Dev Mode (no design access needed)
Keep files versioned and labeled (v1.0 Ready, v2.0 WIP)

🔄 Encourage devs to check Dev Mode before pinging designers for spacing or hex codes.

6. Dev Mode Integrations That Level Up Handoff

Figma integrates with tools developers already use:

Storybook Connect: Sync design with live components
Jira Plugin: Attach designs to tickets directly
Zeplin: Export design tokens and specs
GitHub Links: Add context to PRs

🎯 This makes Dev Mode a true bridge between design and code.

7. Common Handoff Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Using local colors or fonts instead of styles
🚫 Messy layers with no naming structure
🚫 Missing export settings on images
🚫 Inconsistent spacing or misaligned grids
🚫 No documentation for interaction states or edge cases

Avoid these and your dev team will love you.

Conclusion: Your Single Source of Spec Truth

Figma Dev Mode removes the guesswork from design handoff. With the right structure, shared styles, and handoff checklists, your team can ship faster, reduce errors, and stay aligned.

Use it to close the gap between design and development—and transform your files into production-ready blueprints.

Next up: “How to Use Figma’s Variables with Dev Mode for Seamless Theming” — learn how tokens power consistent UI handoff across platforms and brands.