figma-create-new-file
figma/mcp-server-guide
Create new Figma Design, FigJam, or Slides files with proper plan and editor type resolution.
What is figma-create-new-file?
This skill handles the setup required before calling Figma's create_new_file tool. It resolves the user's plan and file type, then creates a new file with the correct parameters. Use it whenever a user requests a new Figma Design, FigJam, or Slides file.
- Resolves the planKey by calling whoami and selecting from available plans
- Infers editorType from the requested file type (design, figjam, or slides)
- Calls create_new_file with fileName, planKey, and editorType
- Optionally sets projectId to create files in specific projects
- Handles empty Slides files by creating an initial slide if needed
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
- MCP server with access to Figma's create_new_file tool
- User authenticated via whoami to retrieve available plans
How to use figma-create-new-file
- 1.Call whoami to retrieve the user's available plans if not provided
- 2.If multiple plans exist, display them and ask the user to select one
- 3.Determine the editorType based on the requested file type (design, figjam, or slides)
- 4.Call create_new_file with the resolved planKey, chosen editorType, and a fileName
- 5.For Slides files, call figma.createSlide() to handle the empty grid before reading properties
- 6.Use the returned file_key for subsequent Figma tool calls
Use cases
- User requests a new design file for a project
- User wants to create a FigJam brainstorming board
- User needs a new Slides presentation file
- Creating files in a specific project within a team plan
- Handling multiple team plans and letting user select which one to use
- Figma users automating file creation workflows
- Design teams using MCP tools to manage Figma files
- Developers building Figma integrations with Claude Code or Cursor
figma-create-new-file FAQ
Inform the user that file creation cannot proceed without an active plan.
Infer it from the requested file type: use 'design' for Design files, 'figjam' for FigJam boards, and 'slides' for Slides presentations. Ask the user to clarify if the type is ambiguous.
Yes, pass the projectId as an optional parameter to create_new_file to place the file in a specific project.
New Slides files start empty with no slides. You must call figma.createSlide() first to create row 0 before reading slide properties like theme tokens.
Use the file_key from the create_new_file response for subsequent tool calls like use_figma to interact with the newly created file.
Full instructions (SKILL.md)
Source of truth, from figma/mcp-server-guide.
name: figma-create-new-file
description: "Always use this skill when the user wants to create a new Figma Design, FigJam, or Slides file. You MUST invoke this skill BEFORE every create_new_file tool call."
disable-model-invocation: false
Create a new file in Figma
Steps to create a new Figma Design, FigJam, or Slides file using the create_new_file MCP tool.
Step 1: Resolve the planKey and editorType
Use the planKey the user provided or selected for this task. Otherwise, call whoami and inspect the returned plans.
- No plans: inform the user that file creation cannot proceed.
- One plan: use its
keyasplanKey. - Multiple plans: show the available plans, ask the user to select one and then use that plan's
keyasplanKey.
Infer editorType from the requested file type by choosing from the tool's advertised input enum. If unclear, ask the user to specify the file type.
Step 2: Call create_new_file
Call the create_new_file tool with all three required arguments:
fileName: Required. Choose a concise name if the user does not provide one.planKey: Required. Use theplanKeyresolved in Step 1.editorType: Required. Use theeditorTypeselected in Step 1.projectId: Optional. Set it to create the file in a specific project.
{
"fileName": "Quarterly planning",
"planKey": "team::1234567890",
"editorType": "design"
}
- Use the
file_keyfrom thecreate_new_filetool response for subsequent tool calls likeuse_figma.
Step 3: (Slides only) Handle the empty grid
A new Slides file contains no slides: figma.getSlideGrid() returns []. Before reading properties such as theme tokens from a slide, call figma.createSlide() or handle the empty case. The first createSlide() call automatically creates row 0 and inserts the slide.
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