Run plugins in files
Before you start
Who can use this feature
Support on any team or plan.
Anyone with Can edit access to a file can run a plugin in that file.
Anyone in an organization can install and run plugins approved by their organization.
Figma plugins allow you to perform tasks within a file. Plugins can view and interpret layers and objects, manipulate them, or create new ones.
- You can only run plugins in the Figma Editor.
- You need to run a plugin manually.
- You can only run one plugin at a time.
- Plugins can't perform actions in the background.
Instructions for using a plugin will vary between plugins. Some plugins will perform a user action on the canvas when you run them. Others will require you to adjust inputs or settings, before performing the user action.
You may need to select frames, objects, or layers before running the plugin. Test run the plugin - or check the plugin listing - to know what selections they support.
Tip! Want to see which plugins have been used on a file or object? Open the Design panel in the right sidebar and view the Plugins section. Learn more about plugin properties →
Run a plugin
You can run a plugin from a few places in the Editor.
Quick actions
To access the quick actions bar:
- Use the keyboard shortcut:
- Mac: Command - /
- Windows: Control + /
- Search a plugin by name.
- Navigate results by pressing ↑ or ↓ on your keyboard.
- Press Return or Enter to perform an action.
File Menu
- Go to the File menu in the top-left corner of Figma.
- Hover over Plugins to view your installed plugins.
- Select the plugin from the options:
Right-click menu
- Right-click anywhere on the canvas.
- Hover over Plugins in the menu.
- Select the plugin you want to run:
- Depending on the plugin, you may need to interact with some UI to perform the user action. Complete any on-screen instructions to run the plugin.
- The plugin will apply the user action(s) to the currently selected layer/frame/object/file.
Tip! If you've used a plugin already, you can run it again using the Run last plugin function. Find this under the File menu > Plugins > Run Last plugin.
Or, use the keyboard shortcut:
- Mac: ⌘ Command ⌥ Option P
- Windows: Alt Control P
Plugins in the Properties Panel
Plugins developers can choose to attach information to the File, layer, or object for future reference. This details what user actions the plugin performed.
When you select that layer, you'll be able to view the details of the plugins in the Plugins section of the Properties Panel. This allows you to:
- View what plugins were used on your selection
- See the details of any user actions. Figma will display the first three lines of any user actions.
- Run the plugin from the Properties Panel
- Install the plugin without leaving the File
- Remove the plugin from the layer/object/file
For example: the Mapsicle plugin allows you to insert a static map into a layer. When we select that layer, we can see the Mapsicle plugin in the Plugins section of the Properties Panel. We can then click the Open in Mapsicle prompt to edit the map.
View plugins
Plugin information in the right sidebar will vary depending on your selection in the canvas.
- Individual layers: When selecting an object or layer, you can see any plugin information still attached to that selection in the Plugins section of the right sidebar.
- Multiple layers: Selecting multiple layers or objects won't display plugins in the right sidebar, unless the plugin has been used on all layers or objects in the selection. Select a single layer to view any attached plugins.
- File or Page: When nothing is selected, you can see any plugins used on the entire file or page, not a specific layer or object.
Tip! To clear selection, press the Esc key.
Not seeing plugins in the right sidebar?
- Make sure the plugin has been updated by its developer to support descriptions.
- If you're a member of an organization, make sure the plugin has been approved by an organization admin.
- If thee plugin you used was later removed, Figma won't show it in the right sidebar.
Install and run plugins
You can also run a plugin from the Plugins section of the right sidebar. Click the plugin name to run the plugin:
- Installed: The plugin will run. Some plugins will launch a window to use them, like editing a map in Mapsicle or a note in Notepad. Others will re-run their task and display any results in the Properties Panel, like a plugin that checks color contrast.
- Not installed: Figma will ask you if you want to install the plugin. Once installed, you can run the plugin from the right sidebar by clicking the plugin name again.
Remove plugins
To remove a plugin and its information from a file, page, or selected object, click the button next to the plugin name.
