Figma-to-Lovable: Builder.io native integration

Introduction

TL;DR

Introducing the native integration between Builder.io and Lovable
What’s new? Designers can now export their Figma designs directly into Lovable to build full-stack apps without needing developers.
This guide walks you through every step, from structuring Figma designs to using Builder.io’s plugin and leveraging Lovable for seamless app creation.
Ready to revolutionize your workflow? Share your creations, join the community, and give Figma X Lovable a try today!

Builder X Lovable

Builder.io is a powerful visual platform that bridges the gap between design and development. It allows designers to export Figma designs into code, and now directly into Lovable.

Lovable is a an AI-driven tool for building full-stack apps seamlessly. Designed for developers and non-developers alike, Lovable transforms ideas into functional, scalable apps with minimal effort. It’s the ultimate solution for those who want to go from concept to production faster than ever.

New in!

Today, we are thrilled to announce a native integration between Builder.io and Lovable! This new capability allows designers to export their Figma designs directly to Lovable, revolutionizing the way apps and websites are built.

Now, designers can leverage the best of both worlds:

With Builder.io, they can import and refine their Figma designs effortlessly.
With Lovable, they can turn those designs into fully functional, production-ready apps – no developer required.

This means designers can finally stop depending on developers to translate their designs into apps or websites. Instead, they can take full control of the creative and technical process. And let’s face it – designers are undoubtedly some of the most intelligent and innovative people in the world. With this new integration, the great things they build will truly push the boundaries of what's possible!

How does Builder X Lovable works?

This is a simple step-by-step to make sure you nail your figma to lovable experience:

1. Make a structured design in Figma

You start by making your designs on Figma.

To ensure a smooth migration of your Figma designs into Builder.io and Lovable, it’s highly recommended to prepare and structure your designs correctly. This step maximizes compatibility and minimizes manual adjustments post-import. Here's how you can set up your designs for success:

Auto-Layout

The Figma design you export should preferably use Auto-Layout for it to work optimally with Builder.io. Without using Auto-Layout, many designs will not function properly during import.
Follow this guide to structure your design correctly:

Apply Auto-Layout to all parent containers for responsive layouts.
Use proper padding, margins, and alignment to ensure elements resize gracefully.
Enable horizontal and vertical resizing for flexible designs across various screen sizes.

Optimize Layer Naming Conventions

Properly named layers and groups in Figma streamline the import process:

Use descriptive and clear names for all layers (e.g., Header, CTA Button).
Avoid special characters and redundant naming.
Group similar elements to mirror your intended layout structure.

Explore how to optimize layers for code generation.

Prepare Design Components for Reusability

Reusable components in Figma translate into editable blocks in Builder.io:

Ensure components have clearly defined instances and are free of unnecessary nested layers.
Apply consistent styling across components (e.g., typography, colors).

Learn more about creating reusable components here.

Adopt a Design System Mindset

Integrate styles and components into a shared library to maintain consistency:

Use global styles for colors, fonts, and effects.
Link your components to a centralized design system for scalability.

Two Export Modes: Easy vs Precise

Builder.io’s Figma plugin now supports two export modes:

Easy Mode: Recommended for it quick and straightforward to use. However, the result may be less precise.
Precise Mode: Requires more setup in Figma (e.g., structured layers and Auto-Layout) but is more precise.

Tip: While optimizing the design to be fully compatible is not required, it’s highly recommended for achieving pixel-perfect results.
Learn more about these modes here.

By following these steps and using the provided resources, you’ll set your Figma designs up for seamless integration and make the most out of Builder.io and Lovable.

2. Open the Builder.io Plugin in Figma

Figma to Builder

To start the integration process, follow these steps to open and utilize the Builder.io plugin within Figma:

1. Install and Open the Plugin

Builder io figma plugin

Ensure you have the Builder.io plugin installed in your Figma workspace. You can find it in the Figma Plugins menu.
Navigate to your design in Figma and select the area you want to export.

2. Choose Your Export Mode

Once the plugin is open, select between Easy Mode or Precise Mode:

Easy Mode: For quick exports without additional setup. This is ideal for fast prototyping or testing.
Precise Mode: For pixel-perfect results, ensuring your design matches exactly. Requires proper setup, including the use of Auto-Layout and organized layers.

3. Map Components (Optional)

If the plugin detects new components, use the "Map" feature to define their roles in the export process.

4. Export Your Design

Builder to Lovable

View code in Builder : Seamlessly import the design into Builder.io for further editing.
Open in Lovable: That's the one you'll use!

3. Continue Iterating in Lovable

Now that the initial export from Figma to Lovable has been successfully completed, it's time to start iterating directly in Lovable to refine and expand the project. This is where Lovable's unique capabilities, including AI-assisted workflows, come into play.

Edit Figma designs with Lovable

Steps for Iteration in Lovable:

Use Prompts to Make Improvements: Start by describing what changes or enhancements you'd like to see in your project.

Use AI-powered prompts to:
Modify UI components.
Adjust layouts for responsiveness.
Optimize styles or content dynamically.

Preview Your Changes:

Use the "Spinning up preview" feature to visualize updates instantly.
Ensure your modifications align with your design goals and maintain pixel-perfect accuracy.

Integrate Backend Functionality:

If your project requires backend features, connect Lovable to Supabase or other supported platforms using the Supabase menu at the top right.

Test and Deploy:

Once satisfied, deploy the project and share it for feedback.
Iterate further based on feedback to refine the experience.

Conclusion

You’re now ready to bring your Figma designs to life with Builder.io and Lovable! Whether you’ve built a pixel-perfect UI or experimented with dynamic prompts to refine your project, this integration opens up endless possibilities for creators and developers.

Here’s what you can do next:

Share Your Build : Show off what you’ve created by sharing it on this on X.
Join Our Discord Community: Connect with fellow builders, share tips, and get inspired! Join here.
Give Figma X Lovable a Try: Take this seamless design-to-code experience for a spin today and see the difference!

As this integration evolves, we plan to introduce even more advanced Figma integration for seamless design-to-code workflows, offering higher levels of precision and functionality.

Let us know how it goes – your feedback helps us take this capability to the next level!