Screenshots are the weakest way to recreate designs with AI. They force the model to guess spacing, colors, materials, and structure — which is why the results are usually broken or incomplete.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to clone Figma designs one-to-one using an open-source MCP server, giving AI access to the actual design data instead of a flat image. By simply pasting a Figma link, you’ll generate near-perfect implementations with accurate layout, sizing, colors, and visual effects — something screenshots alone cannot achieve.

Best of all, the entire workflow is free and open-source, available directly on GitHub.

What You’ll Learn

• Why screenshots fail at recreating complex UI designs

• How MCP servers unlock structured design data from Figma

• How to generate pixel-accurate clones from Figma links

• How to install and run a local Figma MCP server

• How to connect MCP servers directly inside Cursor

• How to choose the correct MCP tools (get file vs get node)

• How to fix minor layout issues without rebuilding components manually

Core Workflow Covered

Step 1 — Install the Open-Source Figma MCP

• Clone the GitHub repository

• Install dependencies with pnpm

• Generate a read-only Figma personal access token

• Run the MCP server locally using npx

• Confirm the SSE connection is active

Step 2 — Connect the MCP to Cursor

• Add the MCP server inside Cursor settings

• Configure it as an SSE-based MCP

• Verify the connection status is active

• Access Figma tools directly inside Cursor

Step 3 — Clone Designs from Figma

• Copy links to:

  • Entire pages

  • Individual frames

  • Specific components

• Use the get node tool for targeted cloning

• Extract full design structure:

  • Exact spacing and sizing

  • Colors and materials

  • Effects like glass, solid fills, and overlays

• Generate clean HTML/CSS (or your preferred stack)

Why This Beats Screenshots

• No guessing layout or spacing

• No manual asset recreation

• No rebuilding UI element by element

• Accurate structure straight from the design source

• Optional hybrid workflow (Figma link + screenshot for refinements)

Limitations (And How to Handle Them)

• Minor placement issues may occur (icons, arrows)

• Navigation logic is not auto-inferred

• Combine Figma MCP data with screenshots if needed for final polish

Who This Lesson Is For

• Developers converting Figma designs into code

• Designers working with AI-assisted implementation

• Builders who want accuracy over approximation

• Anyone tired of fixing broken AI-generated layouts