OpenAI and Figma Bridge Code and Design with New Integration

Updated on: February 26, 2026

OpenAI and Figma have introduced a new integration that connects Codex directly to the Figma platform, allowing teams to move seamlessly between code and design.

Quick Summary – TLDR:

OpenAI Codex now integrates directly with Figma through the Figma MCP Server.
Users can generate Figma designs from code and convert Figma files back into working code.
The integration builds on an expanding partnership that already includes a ChatGPT app and enterprise adoption.
Codex usage has surged, with over 1 million weekly users and 400 percent growth this year.

What Happened?

OpenAI and Figma announced a bidirectional integration that links Codex with the Figma design platform. The move enables developers and designers to move between implementation and visual design without losing context.

The integration uses Figma’s MCP server, based on the Model Context Protocol, to connect both platforms and streamline the workflow from idea to execution.

Codex to Figma

Join designer advocate, Ana Boyer and OpenAI’s Ed Bayes as they talk through roundtripping between code and canvas https://t.co/ZJkM1mmScQ
— Figma (@figma) February 26, 2026

A Seamless Code to Design Workflow

The new integration allows product teams to start in either environment. Users can generate Figma designs directly from Codex, or take an existing Figma file and convert it back into functional code. This roundtrip workflow is designed to reduce friction between design exploration and engineering implementation.

Figma, known for enabling real time collaboration across product teams, now connects more deeply with OpenAI’s agentic coding models. Using MCP, an open source standard that allows AI agents to interact with external tools and data sources, Codex can interpret and translate design intent into code and vice versa.

The goal is simple. Make it easier for teams to move from prototype to production without constantly switching tools or losing creative momentum.

What Leaders Are Saying?

Loredan Crisan, Figma’s chief design officer said:

“

As the barriers for building software go down, the amount of software created will increase exponentially. It’s no longer about whether you can build, but what you build and how it stands out. With this integration, teams can build on their best ideas not just their first idea by combining the best of code with the creativity, collaboration, and craft that comes with Figma’s infinite canvas.

Alexander Embiricos, Codex product lead said:

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This integration makes Codex powerful for a much broader range of builders and businesses because it doesn’t assume you’re ‘a designer’ or ‘an engineer’ first. Engineers can iterate visually without leaving their flow, and designers can work closer to real implementation without becoming full time coders. The boundary between roles starts to soften because the system helps translate between intent and reality continuously.

Building on a Growing Partnership

This launch expands an already strong relationship between OpenAI and Figma. Figma was one of the first partners to launch a ChatGPT app in 2025 and has rolled out ChatGPT Enterprise across its organization to boost AI fluency among employees.

At the same time, OpenAI has been rapidly evolving Codex. Originally launched as a command line coding assistant in January 2025, Codex now works across multiple environments including the terminal, IDE extensions, the web, ChatGPT, and a recently released macOS desktop app.

The Codex app supports multitasking with AI agents and automates background workflows. According to OpenAI, more than 1 million people use Codex weekly, and usage has increased by more than 400 percent since the start of the year. Over 500,000 users on Free and Go plans joined after the desktop app launched in February.

Large enterprises such as Cisco, NVIDIA, Ramp, and Datadog have adopted Codex for their teams, alongside startups including Harvey and Sierra.

The integration also comes shortly after Figma announced a similar partnership with Anthropic to integrate Claude Code, signaling a broader strategy to embed advanced AI coding tools into its platform.

Why This Matters for Builders?

For years, designers and engineers have worked in parallel but often in silos. Moving from mockups to production code has required manual handoffs, repeated revisions, and constant back and forth.

By connecting Codex directly with Figma, OpenAI and Figma are attempting to close that gap. The integration enables a more fluid workflow where ideas can begin as prompts, evolve in code, and be refined visually without starting from scratch each time.

In practical terms, this could speed up product cycles, reduce misunderstandings between teams, and allow faster experimentation.

SQ Magazine Takeaway

I believe this is more than just another integration announcement. It signals a real shift in how digital products will be built. When code and design start to speak the same language, creativity moves faster. The lines between designer and engineer will continue to blur, and that could unlock a new wave of product innovation. For startups and enterprises alike, this feels like a meaningful step toward building smarter and shipping faster.