figma-create-new-file
figma/mcp-server-guide
Create new Figma files (design, FigJam, or Slides) before using other Figma tools.
What is figma-create-new-file?
This skill creates a blank Figma file in your drafts folder and must be invoked before calling the create_new_file tool. Use it whenever you need a fresh design, FigJam, or Slides file to work with.
- Create design files for UI/UX work
- Create FigJam files for collaborative whiteboarding
- Create Slides files for presentations
- Automatically resolve the correct team/plan for file creation
- Return file_key and file_url for subsequent Figma operations
How to install figma-create-new-file
npx skills add https://github.com/figma/mcp-server-guide --skill figma-create-new-file- Figma account with at least one active plan/team
- MCP server connection to Figma API
How to use figma-create-new-file
- 1.Invoke the skill with /figma-create-new-file [editorType] [fileName]
- 2.Specify editorType as 'design' (default), 'figjam', or 'slides'
- 3.Provide a fileName or use 'Untitled' as default
- 4.If prompted, select which team/plan to create the file in
- 5.Receive file_key and file_url from the response
- 6.Use file_key in subsequent Figma tool calls like use_figma
Use cases
- Starting a new design project before editing with use_figma
- Creating a FigJam whiteboard for team brainstorming
- Setting up a Slides presentation for stakeholder reviews
- Preparing a fresh file when switching between design types
- Designers and design teams
- Product managers creating presentations
- Teams using FigJam for collaboration
- Anyone integrating Figma into agent workflows
figma-create-new-file FAQ
Yes, this is mandatory. You must load this skill before every create_new_file tool call.
editorType defaults to 'design' and fileName defaults to 'Untitled' if not specified.
Files are created in your drafts folder for the selected plan/team.
The skill will ask you to choose which team or organization to create the file in, then uses that plan's key.
Yes, the file_key is returned in the response and can be used directly with use_figma and other Figma tools.
Full instructions (SKILL.md)
Source of truth, from figma/mcp-server-guide.
name: figma-create-new-file
description: "MANDATORY prerequisite — you MUST invoke this skill BEFORE every create_new_file tool call. NEVER call create_new_file directly without loading this skill first. Trigger whenever the user wants a new blank Figma file — a new design, FigJam, or Slides file — or when you need a fresh file before calling use_figma. Usage — /figma-create-new-file [editorType] [fileName] (e.g. /figma-create-new-file figjam My Whiteboard, /figma-create-new-file slides Q3 Review)"
disable-model-invocation: false
create_new_file — Create a New Figma File
MANDATORY: load this skill before every create_new_file tool call. It encodes the plan-resolution decision tree, the editor-type contract, and the post-creation handoff to use_figma.
Use the create_new_file MCP tool to create a new blank Figma file in the user's drafts folder. This is typically used before use_figma when you need a fresh file to work with.
Skill Arguments
This skill accepts optional arguments: /figma-create-new-file [editorType] [fileName]
- editorType:
design(default),figjam, orslides - fileName: Name for the new file (defaults to "Untitled")
Examples:
/figma-create-new-file— creates a design file named "Untitled"/figma-create-new-file figjam My Whiteboard— creates a FigJam file named "My Whiteboard"/figma-create-new-file design My New Design— creates a design file named "My New Design"/figma-create-new-file slides Q3 Review— creates a Slides presentation named "Q3 Review"
Parse the arguments from the skill invocation. If editorType is not provided, default to "design". If fileName is not provided, default to "Untitled".
Workflow
Step 1: Resolve the planKey
The create_new_file tool requires a planKey parameter. Follow this decision tree:
-
User already provided a planKey (e.g. from a previous
whoamicall or in their prompt) → use it directly, skip to Step 2. -
No planKey available → call the
whoamitool. The response contains aplansarray. Each plan has akey,name,seat, andtier.- Single plan: use its
keyfield automatically. - Multiple plans: ask the user which team or organization they want to create the file in, then use the corresponding plan's
key.
- Single plan: use its
Step 2: Call create_new_file
Call the create_new_file tool with:
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
planKey | Yes | The plan key from Step 1 |
fileName | Yes | Name for the new file |
editorType | Yes | "design", "figjam", or "slides" |
Example:
{
"planKey": "team:123456",
"fileName": "My New Design",
"editorType": "design"
}
Step 3: Use the result
The tool returns:
file_key— the key of the newly created filefile_url— a direct URL to open the file in Figma
Use the file_key for subsequent tool calls like use_figma.
Important Notes
- The file is created in the user's drafts folder for the selected plan.
- Supported editor types are
"design","figjam", and"slides". - If
use_figmais your next step, load thefigma-useskill before calling it.
Editor-specific notes
Slides — newly created files have an empty grid
A slides file produced by this tool starts with zero rows and zero slides — figma.getSlideGrid() returns [], not a default first slide. The page's only child is the SLIDE_GRID node itself, which is empty until you create content. The first call to figma.createSlide() implicitly creates row 0 and inserts the new slide there.
If your follow-up use_figma script assumes at least one slide exists (e.g. to read theme tokens off it), guard for the empty case or call createSlide() first. See figma-use-slides → slide-grid for full details.
Related skills
More from figma/mcp-server-guide and the wider catalog.
implement-design
Translate Figma designs into production-ready code with pixel-perfect visual fidelity.
figma-use
Mandatory prerequisite for executing Figma Plugin API code via use_figma tool calls.
figma-implement-design
Translate Figma designs into production-ready code with pixel-perfect visual fidelity.
figma-generate-design
Build and update Figma screens from design systems, code, or descriptions.
figma-generate-library
Build professional-grade design systems in Figma from code, orchestrating tokens, components, and theming across structured phases.
figma-code-connect
Creates and maintains Figma Code Connect template files that map Figma components to code snippets. Use when the user mentions Code Connect, Figma component mapping, design-to-code translation, or asks to create/update .figma.ts or .figma.js files.