Compare the Work Figma's Generative Plugins and Shaders Are Used For

However, the design agent you use now is subject to the AI credit terms that apply after general availability.

What results are the two features used to produce?

The official post describes using plugins to build work tools such as layout helpers, and using shaders to adjust a layer's fill or effects. It says motion and interaction can be added to shaders. Official announcement on generative plugins and shaders

For the first tool your team builds, a good scope is one where you can see what it edits and its exceptions with your own eyes. If a request would change the whole file, keep the original and judge the result on a small selection first.

How did code and sharing scope change?

The September update introduces viewing and downloading generated code, publishing to Community, and private publishing within an organization for Organization and Enterprise. It also describes viewing and changing through MCP and passing shader code along. Code access and publishing conditions

Check that a public tool does not contain client names or private rules. Putting your internal file structure unchanged into a public example needs a separate decision about the sharing scope.

Can you still trust the old beta terms?

The free beta wording in the September announcement reflects the terms at that time. The current FAQ says the design agent moved to general availability on October 6 and uses AI credits, and that usage varies with factors such as complex requests and referenced context. Current Figma AI credit guidance

If you plan to revise a tool several times, check your balance and account limits first. This feature introduction is not grounds for promising cost or time savings.

What do you check when applying it to a real screen?

For plugins, check that they did not change layers outside the requested scope. For shaders, check that they do not hurt text contrast or readability on small screens, and for effects with motion, see whether the necessary information still remains in a still frame.

The date the features and terms were checked is 2026-10-10. Do not assume that, just because there is output code, it will behave the same in another app without changes.