A powerful tool for developers looking to bridge the gap between Figma and CSS. It allows users to batch export all Figma Variables, dynamically loading collections, resolving aliases, and supporting mode configurations.
As designers and developers, we love the flexibility and power of Figma’s Variables feature. It enables us to create scalable design systems that adapt across themes, modes, and use cases. However, when it comes to bridging the gap between design and code, things can get tricky. Developers can’t directly access the Variable panel in Figma, and there’s no native way to batch export or view these values in a developer-friendly format like CSS. Enter Figma Variables to CSS, a Figma Plugin designed to solve this exact problem.
Why the Plugin Exists
Imagine working on a design system where themes, states, and modes are all meticulously crafted using Variables. But when it’s time to implement them in code, you’re stuck manually copying values, deciphering references, and resolving aliases. This process is time-consuming, error-prone, and anything but dynamic.
This plugin bridges the gap by enabling designers and developers to:
Dynamically load all Variables across all Figma collections.
Resolve aliases—Variables referencing other Variables—even across collections.
Export the resolved values to CSS variables.
Configure mode paths to ensure the final CSS reflects the desired theming logic.
Key Features
Dynamic Loading of Variables: Say goodbye to manually hunting down Variables. This plugin scans your Figma file and dynamically retrieves all Variables, regardless of which collection they belong to. With just a few clicks, you can view every Variable you’ve defined in a single interface.
Alias Resolution: Variables often reference one another, creating a web of dependencies that’s difficult to untangle manually. The plugin intelligently resolves these aliases, whether they’re within the same collection or spread across different ones. You can choose to export the alias as-is or its fully resolved value.
Mode Switcher: Modern design systems often require multiple modes (e.g., light mode, dark mode, or brand themes). The plugin dynamically identifies all possible modes and lets you configure which collections should use which modes. This ensures your final CSS exports reflect the correct values for each combination.
Batch Export to CSS: Once your Variables are loaded and configured, the plugin generates CSS code that’s ready to drop into your project. It converts Figma Variables into CSS variables, retaining their structure and relationships. The output is clean, organized, and developer-friendly.
How It Works
Install the Plugin: Head over to the Figma Community page and install the plugin.
Load Variables: Open the plugin, and it will scan your file to load all Variables across collections.
Resolve Aliases: View Variables with their references resolved. Toggle between keeping the alias or using the final resolved value.
Switch Modes: Use the mode switcher to configure collections and ensure the correct paths for theming logic.
Export CSS: With everything configured, export your Variables as CSS. The plugin generates clean, well-structured code, ready to implement in your project.
The Figma Variables to CSS plugin is a game-changer for teams looking to streamline their design-to-code workflow. By empowering developers with direct access to Variables and resolving the complexities of aliases and modes, it ensures your design system’s integrity remains intact from Figma to production.
Ready to supercharge your workflow? Install the plugin and start exporting your Variables as CSS today!
