Figma Expands AI Guardrails and Integrates Payload CMS at First Config Event in India

Design and collaboration platform Figma used its inaugural Config event in India to announce a major push toward bringing better guardrails and structure to AI-generated design. The company introduced a new Markdown-based editor called Figma Specs, transitioned its code layers feature into a public beta, integrated the open-source headless Content Management System (CMS) Payload, and expanded support for a broader array of external tools via its Model Context Protocol (MCP).

The announcements come at a time when Figma is heavily doubling down on its presence in India, which now stands as its largest user base outside the United States. During the event, company leadership emphasized that while artificial intelligence has drastically accelerated the generation of code and design assets, the inherent unpredictability of AI necessitates new systems to keep teams aligned and brand guidelines strictly enforced.

Introducing Figma Specs: Bringing Order to AI and Design Systems

At the heart of Figma’s latest suite of updates is Figma Specs, a new Markdown-based editor designed to help teams formally define their company’s design language, style guides, and operational rules in a simple, readable format. According to the company, these documents act as a centralized reference point not only for human teams collaborating on the platform, but crucially for both internal and third-party AI agents.

By grounding AI systems in explicit textual and contextual guidelines, Figma aims to steer the notoriously non-deterministic nature of generative AI toward more predictable, brand-compliant outcomes. Figma Specs can be utilized as a standalone file within a workspace or exist directly on the canvas alongside visual assets. Beyond standard text editing, the tool allows users to reference other on-canvas Figma elements, embed interactive FigJam diagrams, and link directly to underlying code layers and design systems.

This centralization of context goes beyond basic text formatting. Teams can aggregate design libraries, code repositories, and brand rules into a unified system that agents can consult continuously. By managing context more effectively, organizations can ensure that AI-driven creations remain faithful to established brand aesthetics and structural requirements.

Scaling Code Layers and Confronting the Reality of AI Prototyping

Figma also officially moved its code layers feature into public beta following a private beta period that began earlier this year in June. The feature bridges the gap between static visual design and functional software by embedding coding directly into designs on the canvas, enabling the creation of richer, highly interactive prototypes.

With the public beta now rolling out more broadly, users can prompt Figma’s on-canvas agent to automatically convert a visual design into code or modify specific sections of existing code to iterate rapidly on functional prototypes. This release coincides with the broader rollout of Figma’s on-canvas agent to a wider user base over the past week, signaling a concerted effort to weave AI assistance deeply into the daily workflows of designers and developers alike.

Reflecting on the evolving relationship between design, coding, and artificial intelligence, Figma’s Chief Design Officer Loredana Crisan highlighted a profound shift in how software is conceptualized and built. In an interview, Crisan noted that Figma views itself as the primary digital environment where software teams converge to decide what products they will ultimately build and ship.

According to Crisan, AI has drastically lowered the barrier to building, resulting in a dramatic surge in total code generation. Industry-wide data shows that there are currently about 17 times more lines of code being produced than in the past, yet product release volumes have only grown by a factor of 1.3. Crisan points out that a substantial portion of this generated code is not necessarily intended for immediate production deployment, but rather serves as a medium for discovery—a tool for designing and exploring what a product should actually be.

Expanding the Ecosystem with Payload CMS and MCP Integrations

Beyond core design and prototyping updates, Figma is tightening its ties with broader software development ecosystems. Last year, Figma acquired Payload, an open-source headless CMS known for its developer-friendly architecture. At the Config event, the company announced that Payload is now being integrated directly with Figma Make—a product tailored for generating dynamic websites and managing content seamlessly. Figma reported that Payload’s popularity has surged significantly, with downloads multiplying sixfold over the past twelve months.

Furthermore, Figma is actively expanding its developer ecosystem by supporting more than 20 new tools through its Model Context Protocol (MCP). This expanded compatibility includes integrations with platforms and services such as Open Code, Dia, Grok Bot, and Sarvam, an emerging artificial intelligence startup based in India. By opening up its protocol to a diverse array of external tools and regional innovators, Figma is positioning its platform as an interoperable hub for modern digital product development.

Deepening Roots in the Indian Market

Figma’s decision to host its inaugural Config event in India underscores the strategic importance of the region to the company’s global expansion. Late last year, Figma established its first official office in India, setting up dedicated operations spanning sales, strategic partnerships, go-to-market strategies, and product support.

The investment appears to be yielding substantial traction. Figma confirmed that India is now its single largest market outside of the United States in terms of active users. Highlighting its deep integration into the country’s corporate landscape, the company noted that its platform is currently utilized by 40 percent of the top 100 companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange, cementing its status as an indispensable infrastructure for enterprise design and digital collaboration in the region.