Pro Tips & Workflow Optimization
Master Figma on macOS with these expert tips, keyboard shortcuts, and workflow enhancements.
Essential Keyboard Shortcuts
Mastering keyboard shortcuts is key to working efficiently in Figma on macOS. Here are the most essential shortcuts organized by category.
Tools & Selection
- V - Move tool (select and move objects)
- F - Frame tool
- R - Rectangle tool
- O - Ellipse tool
- L - Line tool
- P - Pen tool
- T - Text tool
- K - Scale tool
- C - Add comment
- Cmd + D - Duplicate selection
View & Navigation
- Cmd + 0 - Zoom to 100%
- Cmd + 1 - Zoom to fit
- Cmd + 2 - Zoom to selection
- Shift + 1 - Show/hide UI
- Cmd + \ - Toggle layers panel
- Cmd + / - Quick actions search
- Space + drag - Pan canvas
Editing & Manipulation
- Cmd + G - Group selection
- Cmd + Shift + G - Ungroup
- Cmd + ] - Bring forward
- Cmd + [ - Send backward
- Option + drag - Duplicate while dragging
- Cmd + Shift + K - Place image
- Cmd + Shift + O - Outline stroke
- Cmd + E - Flatten selection
Components & Instances
- Cmd + Option + K - Create component
- Cmd + Option + B - Detach instance
- Option + 2 - Go to main component
Custom Shortcuts
You can customize keyboard shortcuts in Figma > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts. This is particularly useful for actions you use frequently or to match shortcuts from other design tools you're familiar with.
Advanced Workflow Tips
Use Auto Layout for Everything
Apply Auto Layout to buttons, cards, navigation bars, and entire page layouts. This makes responsive design much easier and reduces manual adjustments when content changes. Nest Auto Layout frames to create complex, flexible layouts.
Master the Quick Actions Menu
Press Cmd + / to open Quick Actions. You can search for any action, plugin, or feature by name. This is often faster than navigating menus and helps you discover features you didn't know existed.
Leverage Component Variants
Instead of creating separate components for different states, use variants to group related components together. This keeps your components organized and makes it easier to switch between states in prototypes.
Use Smart Selection
Click and drag to select multiple layers, or hold Shift and click to add to selection. Hold Cmd and click to select layers deep in the hierarchy without expanding groups.
Organize with Pages and Sections
Use pages to separate different parts of your project (Design, Prototypes, Archive). Within pages, use sections to group related frames. This keeps large projects organized and improves performance.
Create Reusable Styles
Define color, text, and effect styles for consistent design. When you update a style, all instances update automatically. This is crucial for maintaining design systems and making global changes quickly.
Use Constraints for Responsive Design
Set constraints on layers to control how they resize within their parent frame. This is essential for creating responsive designs that work across different screen sizes.
Master Boolean Operations
Combine shapes using union, subtract, intersect, and exclude to create complex icons and illustrations. These operations are non-destructive, so you can always modify the original shapes.
Utilize Plugins Strategically
Install plugins for repetitive tasks like generating placeholder content, checking accessibility, or exporting assets. Popular plugins include Unsplash (images), Stark (accessibility), and Content Reel (realistic data).
Set Up Component Libraries
Create separate files for your component libraries and publish them to your team. This centralizes your design system and ensures everyone is using the latest components.
macOS-Specific Tips
Take advantage of macOS features to enhance your Figma workflow.
Trackpad Gestures
- Pinch to Zoom: Use two fingers to zoom in and out smoothly
- Two-Finger Pan: Navigate the canvas without holding Space
- Smart Zoom: Double-tap with two fingers to zoom to selection
- Rotate: Rotate your view using two-finger rotation (if enabled)
Mission Control Integration
Use macOS Mission Control to manage multiple Figma windows. Create separate desktops for different projects or assign Figma to a specific desktop for quick switching.
Spotlight Integration
Use Spotlight (Cmd + Space) to quickly open recent Figma files. The macOS app registers .fig files with Spotlight for fast searching.
Drag and Drop
Drag images from Finder, Safari, or other apps directly into Figma. You can also drag layers between different Figma files by having both windows visible.
Color Picker
Use the native macOS color picker by clicking the color swatch in the design panel. The color picker includes support for custom palettes and eyedropper tool that works across your entire screen.
Design System Best Practices
Building and maintaining an effective design system in Figma requires planning and organization.
Naming Conventions
Establish clear naming conventions for components, layers, and styles:
- Components: Use format like "Button/Primary/Large" for automatic organization
- Layers: Use descriptive names instead of defaults like "Rectangle 1"
- Frames: Name frames by their purpose or content, not position
- Styles: Include category prefixes like "Color/Brand/Primary" or "Text/Heading/H1"
Component Structure
- Keep component source files separate from working files
- Use variants to group related components
- Document component usage with descriptions and examples
- Create a cover page in your component library explaining usage
Version Control
- Create named versions before major changes
- Use descriptive version names like "V2.0 - New Button Styles"
- Regularly review and clean up old versions
- Communicate library updates to team members
Collaboration Tips
Make the most of Figma's collaborative features when working with teams.
Effective Commenting
- Use @mentions to notify specific team members
- Pin comments to specific layers for context
- Resolve comments when addressed to keep things organized
- Use comments for design feedback, not general conversation
Presentation Mode
When presenting designs to stakeholders:
- Use Cmd + Option + Enter for fullscreen presentation
- Set up prototype flows for interactive demonstrations
- Hide UI elements before sharing screen
- Prepare speaker notes in comments or separate documentation
File Organization for Teams
- Create a consistent project structure across all team files
- Use projects and folders to organize files by product or feature
- Archive old files instead of deleting them
- Set up team libraries for shared components and styles
Observer Mode
When viewing someone else's design, press Shift + 2 to follow their cursor. This is perfect for remote design reviews and learning from teammates.
Time-Saving Tricks
Bulk Editing
Select multiple layers and edit properties simultaneously. This works for colors, fonts, effects, and most other properties. Use the selection panel to quickly select all instances of a specific component or all text layers.
Copy as SVG/PNG
Right-click any layer and choose "Copy as SVG" or "Copy/Paste as PNG" to quickly get code or images without going through the export process. Perfect for quick prototyping or documentation.
Inspect Mode Shortcuts
In inspect mode, click property names to copy their values. Click the code icon to copy entire code snippets. Use this to quickly get CSS, iOS, or Android code.
Reuse Previous Selections
Press Cmd + Shift + A to select all instances of the selected component. Great for making batch updates to component instances.
Mathematical Expressions
Type mathematical expressions in any number field. For example, type "100/2" in the width field to set it to 50. You can use +, -, *, and / operators.
Nudge Amounts
Customize your nudge amounts in preferences. The default is 1px for arrow keys and 10px for Shift + arrow keys, but you can adjust these to match your grid.
Prototyping Tips
Interactive Component Patterns
- Create toggle switches using boolean variants
- Build dropdown menus with nested components
- Design tab bars that highlight the active tab
- Make form inputs that show validation states
Smart Animate Guidelines
For smooth Smart Animate transitions:
- Keep layer names consistent between frames
- Avoid changing layer hierarchy between states
- Use matching component instances rather than duplicated layers
- Set appropriate easing curves for natural motion
Device Preview
Test prototypes on actual devices using the Figma Mirror app for iOS. Connect your iPhone or iPad via USB and mirror your prototype for the most accurate testing experience.