Figma
The industry design tool
freemiumDesign
Figma is the interface design standard: components, auto-layout, prototypes, and Dev Mode for developer handoff. The desktop client adds local fonts and tabs. The free plan is generous; team features come with a subscription.
// Install
Your MacHomebrew in /opt/homebrew
brew install --cask figma// What it is for
- Designs open from a link: a developer needs no licence and no install to read sizes and colours
- Dev Mode hands over spacing, tokens, and ready CSS snippets straight from the file
- Real-time collaboration with comments pinned to the design
- Components and variables keep the design system in one place
// Common questions
Why install the app when the browser version exists?
You do not have to, but the native client is faster on heavy files, uses local fonts without the helper agent, and does not get lost among a hundred browser tabs.
Is the free plan enough for a developer?
For viewing other people's files, reading values, and commenting, yes. Payment starts with the number of editable files and team features — a design-team concern.
