Figma Dev Mode is designed to bridge the gap between designers and developers — and clear, accessible annotations play a vital role in that handoff. Whether you’re clarifying behavior, linking to documentation, or calling out design intent, annotating in Dev Mode ensures nothing gets lost in translation.
So how exactly do you add annotations in Dev Mode?
Let’s break down what’s possible — and how to make your annotations developer-friendly.
🛠 First, What Is Dev Mode?
Dev Mode is a developer-specific view in Figma that:
- Prioritizes inspectable properties
- Hides design clutter
- Highlights production-ready components
- Surfaces tokens, variables, and documentation links
But it’s not just for developers — designers can use Dev Mode to prepare files for handoff, including annotation strategies.
🧭 Where Do Annotations Live in Dev Mode?
Dev Mode doesn’t have a separate annotation tool (yet), but there are three main ways to annotate that show up cleanly for developers:
1. Descriptions in the Right Sidebar
Every frame or component can have a description visible in Dev Mode.
✅ How to add it:
- Select a frame or component
- In the right sidebar, scroll to the “Description” field
- Add notes, behavior logic, or links (e.g., “Button triggers modal → See Prototype”)
These descriptions are persistent and tied to the object.
2. Component Documentation
If you’re using a design system, you can embed documentation into components using Figma’s built-in documentation panel.
✅ To annotate here:
- Open the component in the design system file
- Click the Docs icon (📄) near the top
- Add markdown-style documentation — ideal for developers to view in Dev Mode
This works well for:
- Explaining prop behaviors
- Conditional states
- Responsive behavior notes
3. Comment Pins
Comments are still accessible in Dev Mode if enabled.
✅ To add:
- Switch to Comment Mode (top right)
- Click anywhere to drop a pin and leave a comment
- Use @mentions to assign to teammates
💡 Tip: Pins are great for contextual callouts, but not ideal for long-term documentation.
✅ Bonus: Annotations That Don’t Show in Dev Mode
If you use:
- Sticky notes
- Floating text labels
- Arrows or shapes
These won’t show up by default in Dev Mode. Developers would need to toggle back to Design Mode to see them. If you’re relying on this method, label and group them clearly, or consider duplicating your file with annotation overlays.
🧠 Pro Tips for Dev Mode Annotation
| Tip | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Use the Description field generously | It’s visible and accessible |
| Document components once, reuse often | Speeds up consistent handoff |
| Label your layers clearly | Layer names appear in Dev Mode |
| Include token references | Developers can inspect variables directly |
📌 Summary: How to Annotate in Figma Dev Mode
| Method | Best Use Case |
|---|---|
| Description Field | Notes tied to elements |
| Component Documentation | System-wide explanations |
| Comment Pins | Quick feedback or questions |
| Canvas Labels (Design Mode) | Visual overlays for alignment |
Figma Dev Mode doesn’t eliminate the need for communication — but it amplifies clarity when paired with smart annotations. Use the built-in fields, document consistently, and always think like the developer reading your file.
Want more Figma Dev Mode tips and workflow tricks? Visit Designilo.com for actionable guides and visuals.
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