MCP for Designers: How to Connect All Your Tools

Two people. Two weeks. An entire brand, design system, website, content, and strategy.

Two weeks ago, my partner and I launched a complete brand system with a fully functional website, content strategy, and design infrastructure. Just the two of us.

I've worked at some of the biggest tech companies in the world — Google, Salesforce — and I can tell you confidently: this would typically take a team of several people and several months. Minimum.

The difference? We connected all our tools and made them work together through MCP.

Figma, Framer, Claude, Google Workspace, Notion, and Rube all speaking the same language. No copy-paste. No manual handoffs. Just seamless communication between every tool in our stack.

Let me explain how this actually works — and follow along, because we'll be slowly revealing all of our AI design workflows in upcoming posts.

What is MCP?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) was created by Anthropic in November 2024. It's an open-source protocol that creates a standardized way for AI assistants to communicate directly with your tools.

Here's the simplest way to think about it: MCP is like USB-C for AI and software tools. Before USB-C, every device had its own cable. Now, one standard connects everything. MCP does the same thing for AI and your design tools.

The protocol is intentionally simple and open, which is why adoption has been so rapid. Within months, hundreds of tools have integrated MCP support.

How the Communication Actually Works

NPX (Node Package Executor)
Think of NPX like ordering food delivery — you get fresh packages on-demand from the internet.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "figma": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@anthropic/mcp-server-figma"]
    }
  }
}

• Pros: Always latest version, no installation needed

• Cons: Requires internet, slightly slower startup

• Best for: Trying new tools, quick prototypes

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
HTTP is like making a phone call — request, response, done.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "tool": {
      "transport": "http",
      "url": "http://127.0.0.1:3845/mcp"
    }
  }
}

• Pros: Universal, simple, easy to debug

• Cons: Each request is independent, no persistent connection

• Best for: Simple integrations, one-off requests

SSE (Server-Sent Events)
SSE is like subscribing to a news feed — updates stream to you automatically.

• Pros: Real-time updates, efficient for continuous data

• Cons: One-way communication, more complex setup

• Best for: Live collaboration, real-time design updates

Figma actually uses SSE over HTTP, combining both methods for real-time design synchronization. SSE example uses the same structure as HTTP but with "transport": "sse" and typically points to an /events endpoint that streams real-time updates. This gives readers a complete picture of all three communication methods with actual code they can reference.Server Types: Understanding the Architecture. Remote = SSE: When an MCP server is described as "remote" (accessed over a network rather than as a local process), it almost always uses SSE over HTTP/HTTPS

Local/Hosted Servers (Example: Figma)

Your computer becomes the server. Your data never leaves your machine. Perfect for confidential work and massive files.

Cloud Servers (Example: Framer)

The service handles everything in the cloud. Works from anywhere, always updated, zero maintenance.

Universal Aggregators (Example: Rube)

One MCP server connects to hundreds of services. Manage all authentications in one place. Enable complex multi-tool workflows.

Who's Doing MCP Best: The LLM Landscape

Not all AI assistants are created equal when it comes to MCP support. Here's the honest breakdown:

Updated Oct 2025

Design Tool Support by Platform

🎨 Figma

What it is: Design and prototyping tool for UI/UX work

Claude (Best Support)

• ✅ Local and remote MCP servers available

• ✅ Full read/write access to your Figma files

• ✅ Can read designs, extract colors, styles, and components

• ✅ Can create new designs and modify existing ones

• ✅ Design token extraction (colors, typography, spacing)

• ✅ Export images and assets

• How to use: Connect through Claude Desktop app or via MCP server

Cursor IDE

• ✅ Full MCP integration for developers

• ✅ Read Figma designs and translate to code

• ✅ Extract design tokens for development

• How to use: Install Figma MCP server in Cursor settings

ChatGPT

• 🟢 Available via MCP connectors (new in 2025)

• 🟢 Can read and analyze Figma files

• 🟡 Limited write capabilities

• How to use: Enable developer mode and add Figma MCP connector

Google AI / Gemini

• 🟢 Available via MCP servers

• 🟢 Can read designs and extract information

• How to use: Use Gemini CLI with Figma MCP server

Bottom line for designers: Claude has the best Figma support. You can have AI read your designs, extract colors and styles, and even help generate design components.

🌐 Framer

What it is: Website builder with design and code capabilities

Claude (Best Support)

• ✅ Full remote MCP server available

• ✅ Can read Framer projects and components

• ✅ Access to CMS, pages, and site structure

• ✅ Can create and modify Framer components

• ✅ Export React code from Framer designs

• How to use: Use the official Framer MCP server (remote connection via OAuth)

Cursor IDE

• 🟡 Limited support through web scraping/APIs

• 🟡 Can help write Framer code but not direct integration

• How to use: Work with exported code, not direct integration

ChatGPT

• 🔴 No direct integration yet

• 💡 Workaround: Export from Framer, then use ChatGPT to help with code

Google AI / Gemini

• 🔴 No direct integration yet

• 💡 Workaround: Similar to ChatGPT approach

Bottom line for designers: Claude is the only AI that can directly work with your Framer projects. It can read your site structure, help with CMS content, and even export code.

📝 Notion

What it is: Note-taking, documentation, and project management tool

Claude (Best Support)

• ✅ Native MCP server with full access

• ✅ Read and write pages, databases, and content

• ✅ Search across all your workspaces

• ✅ Create new pages and update existing ones

• ✅ Work with Notion databases (add/edit entries)

• How to use: Install Notion MCP server in Claude Desktop

ChatGPT

• 🟢 Official Notion integration available

• 🟢 Can create and edit pages via Custom Actions

• 🟢 MCP connectors available for developer mode

• 🟡 Not as deep as Claude integration

• How to use: Connect via Notion's official ChatGPT integration or MCP

Google AI / Gemini

• 🟢 Available via MCP servers

• 🟢 Can read and search Notion content

• 🟡 Write capabilities may be limited

• How to use: Set up Notion MCP server with Gemini CLI

Cursor IDE

• 🟡 Limited integration through MCP

• 🟡 Mainly for reading docs, not full management

• How to use: Add Notion MCP server for documentation access

Bottom line for designers: Use Claude or ChatGPT's official integration to manage your design documentation, project notes, and design system documentation in Notion. Both work well for creating and organizing content.

🔧 Google Workspace

What it is: Google's suite of productivity tools

Google AI / Gemini (Best Support)

• ✅ Native, built-in integration

• ✅ Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets all connected

• ✅ Can read, search, and analyze your files

• ✅ Create and edit documents

• How to use: Already connected in Gemini - just ask it to access your files

Claude

• ✅ MCP servers available for Drive, Gmail

• ✅ Can search and read your Google Drive files

• ✅ Access calendar events

• 🟡 Limited write capabilities

• How to use: Install Google Drive and Gmail MCP servers

ChatGPT

• 🟡 Custom connectors available

• 🟡 Can connect to Drive for file access

• 🟡 More complex setup than native integrations

• How to use: Set up custom Google connectors in settings

Cursor IDE

• 🔴 No direct integration

• 💡 Workaround: Download files locally and work with them

Bottom line for designers: Use Gemini if you work in Google Workspace - it's built right in. Claude is a good second choice for searching your Drive.

The verdict: If you're serious about connected design workflows, Claude with MCP is currently the only real option. This isn't favoritism — it's just the current reality of who's invested in the protocol.

Real Workflows We Use Every Day

Here's what's actually possible when your tools talk to each other:

The Design-to-Code Pipeline

Select component in Figma → Claude reads actual design tokens → Generates production React/Tailwind → Deploys to Framer or Cursor

Time saved: Hours → Minutes

Cross-Tool Research Synthesis

"Find all user feedback about our checkout flow from the last month" Claude searches: Gmail (client emails) + Slack (team discussions) + Google Drive (research docs) Result: Synthesized insights with sources linked

Time saved: Days → Hours

Automated Documentation

Figma design system → Claude analyzes components → Creates structured Notion docs → Updates automatically

Time saved: Manual process eliminated

Why This Matters for Every Type of Designer

The lines between design disciplines are dissolving.

A UX designer who can instantly turn wireframes into working prototypes isn't just designing interfaces anymore — they're shipping products. A visual designer whose brand guidelines automatically enforce themselves in code isn't just creating assets — they're becoming a design engineer. And when documentation writes itself and design decisions are tracked automatically, every designer becomes a design leader by default.

This is the reality MCP creates: designers who operate across the entire spectrum. You're no longer just pushing pixels or organizing research or writing documentation. You're doing all of it, simultaneously, with the friction removed. Your user research lives in one connected ecosystem that feeds directly into your designs. Your designs become working prototypes instantly. Your prototypes ship with perfect design token translation. Your implementation gets documented automatically.

The designer of 2025 isn't a specialist — they're a complete product builder. MCP doesn't just accelerate your current role; it expands it. You become the UX researcher who can validate ideas in real-time, the visual designer who ships production code, the design engineer who maintains perfect design-development sync, and the design leader who can see everything happening across the system in real-time.

This isn't about replacing anyone. It's about individual designers gaining the capabilities of entire teams. When repetitive tasks disappear and tools communicate seamlessly, you stop being defined by your job title and start being defined by what you can build.

Getting Started: Your First Connection

The setup is surprisingly simple:

1. Download Claude Desktop (not the web version)

2. Install your first MCP server (start with Figma or Framer)

3. Add the configuration (literally copy-paste JSON)

4. Test your first connection (select something, ask Claude about it)

That's it. You're now connected.

The Reality Check

Let me be clear: MCP isn't magic. It won't design for you. It won't replace your creativity or strategic thinking.

What it will do:

• Eliminate repetitive tasks

• Connect information silos

• Accelerate implementation

• Preserve design intent perfectly

But here's what they don't tell you: MCP is brand new architecture, and with that comes real limitations and risks.

Current Limitations

• Figma MCP currently only works through Claude's CLI (command line interface), not the desktop app directly. There are workarounds — like using Rube to bridge the connection — but it's not seamless yet.

• Tool compatibility varies wildly. Some integrations are rock solid, others are experimental.

• Setup complexity ranges from 2 minutes to 2 hours depending on the tool.

• Documentation is often technical and not designer-friendly (hence this guide).

Security Considerations

When you connect tools through MCP, you're creating data pipelines. This is powerful but requires caution:

• Universal connectors like Rube can access multiple services — only grant permissions you're comfortable with

• Data access permissions often default to maximum access — always review and minimize

• Client work should use local MCP servers when possible to keep data on your machine

• Authentication tokens are stored locally — protect your config files

The bottom line: Start with low-risk experiments. Test with your own projects before client work. Understand what data you're exposing.

This is just the beginning. In upcoming posts and videos, I'll walk through specific workflows, technical setup guides, and advanced techniques that push MCP to its limits.

What's Next

We're living through a fundamental shift in how design tools work together. The question isn't whether to adopt MCP — it's how quickly you can integrate it into your workflow before it becomes table stakes.

Follow along as we document this journey. Every workflow, every connection, every breakthrough. Because the best way to democratize these tools is to show exactly how they work.

No gatekeeping. No mystification. Just practical, powerful workflows that any designer can implement.

This is the first in a series about AI-powered design workflows. Follow for detailed tutorials, honest reviews, and real-world implementations.

Next up: Step-by-step Figma + Framer MCP setup (with video walkthrough)