What is Dev Mode
Dev mode is a recent user profile added to Figma specifically for developers and dev teams. It focuses the UI on the information developers need to build code from annotations.
Recent updates have also included integrations with design tokens, developer plugins, and more.
The following video covers the fundamentals.
Figma has provided an extensive guide to Dev mode and this will also be the most current. For all the features and instructions, please visit their guide.
Figma Dev Mode Documentation.
Dev Mode Access
We currently only have access to full-design seats in Dev Mode. Developers granted dev mode access will have access to all the features that a designer would.
To simplify the Figma UI, simply request the “Dev Mode Link” from your designer or PO. This will automatically display a Figma File in Dev mode.
Alternatively, if you open any Figma link, you can quickly activate Dev Mode using this switch in the toolbar or Shift+D
The gif shows how to activate dev mode in any file
Getting Started
Figma, as always, has some great resources for understanding its new features. For any uses with a full Design seat or dev mode access, you can copy and play with the official Figma Dev mode playground file.
If you want a more detailed background, Figma wrote a full article on the testing and approach to building Dev mode.