Designer Skill MCP vs Figma Context MCP
A side-by-side look at the Designer Skill MCP and Figma Context MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Designer Skill MCP for architecture & design work as a local process; choose Figma Context MCP for architecture & design as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Designer Skill MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
get_preflight_brief, load_project_context, get_design_system.
Choose Figma Context MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Architecture & Design domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
FIGMA_API_KEY, PORT. - You want tools like
get_figma_data, download_figma_images.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Architecture & Design | Architecture & Design |
| Quality signal | 60/100 · Good | 71/100 · Great |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | API key required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | FIGMA_API_KEYPORT |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 47 | 16,009 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 6 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 15 | 2 |
| Full listing | View Designer Skill MCP | View Figma Context MCP |
Tools & capabilities
Designer Skill MCP tools 15
get_preflight_briefScope and verification contract (call first)load_project_contextRead PRODUCT.md / DESIGN.md from the project (absolute `cwd`)get_design_systemSKILL.md router and reference mapget_referenceLoad one reference by name (designer or `ux/*`)anti_slop_checklistAdvisory style and truthful-content review guidancelist_commandsAll design verbs with descriptionsget_commandHelp and reference names for one verbdispatch_intentMap a request → verb(s) + at most four references to readcommit_design_directionValidate a context-grounded direction recordget_palette_seedOKLCH brand seed for authorized new palette workdetect_antipatternsDeterministic static scan (44 rules): coverage, file hashes, gapsreview_and_gateStatic gate per required rule; never claims rendered readiness- +3 more on the listing page
Figma Context MCP tools 2
get_figma_dataGet comprehensive Figma file data including layout, content, visuals, and component informationdownload_figma_imagesDownload SVG and PNG images used in a Figma file based on the IDs of image or icon nodes. Images will be saved relative to the server's image directory: /home/user
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Designer Skill MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"designer-skill-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@pymodel/designer-skill-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Figma Context MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"glips-figma-context-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"figma-developer-mcp"
],
"env": {
"FIGMA_API_KEY": "YOUR_FIGMA_API_KEY_HERE",
"PORT": "YOUR_PORT_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Designer Skill MCP is categorized under Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Figma Context MCP belongs to Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Designer Skill MCP for architecture & design work and Figma Context MCP for architecture & design.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Designer Skill MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Figma Context MCP is listed as free. Auth: api key required. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add designer-skill-mcp and glips-figma-context-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Designer Skill MCP has a quality signal of 60/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 47 GitHub stars. Figma Context MCP has 71/100 (Great) with 6 views, 0 installs and 16,009 GitHub stars.