All projects
Figma plugin

Autoflow

FigJam-style connectors for flows in Figma Design.

Autoflow: project interface, view 1
Autoflow: project interface, view 2
For whom

People mapping user flows in Figma Design

Scope

Plugin · FigJam connectors · Prototyping

Tools

FigJam connectors / Figma Design / Prototyping

The idea

Arrows that stay connected.

When mapping a flow in Figma Design, moving a screen can leave its arrows pointing to the wrong place. I built Autoflow to use native FigJam connectors that stay attached to screens, buttons, and instance layers. The solution uses the clipboard because Figma's API can't create these connectors directly in Design.

Always connected

Keep connectors attached.

I used native FigJam connectors so Figma keeps their endpoints attached when elements move or resize, even with the plugin closed.

Connect

Create links from the clipboard.

A click sets the source, and Shift-click selects the target. Copy connector prepares the styled arrow; ⌘V places it in the design file.

Autoflow: Create links from the clipboard., view 1
Autoflow: Create links from the clipboard., view 2

Flows

Connect multiple elements.

I added two arrangements for selections of three or more elements: a sequence or connections from the first element to the rest.

Style

Reuse connector styles.

I brought color, stroke, labels, routing, and arrowheads into a FigJam-like toolbar. Styles can be saved and applied, including when editing multiple connectors.

Autoflow: Reuse connector styles., view 1
Autoflow: Reuse connector styles., view 2

Prototyping

Turn a flow into an interaction.

I added Create prototype interaction to generate an On click → Navigate interaction between a connector's source and target.

Implementation

How I built it.

A FigJam connector on the clipboard

The Design API cannot create or clone connectors directly. I used a FigJam connector tagged with sharedPluginData as the clipboard source. When pasted, the plugin listens for nodechange, maintains one copy per link, moves it onto the page or shared section, and anchors its endpoints with AUTO.

Tested outside Figma

I added tests for element pairing, anchor behavior, and plugin–UI messaging, simulating pasting with a Figma mock. I captured the compiled interface in its test environment.

Autoflow

FigJam-style connectors for flows in Figma Design.

FigJam connectors
Native connectors pasted from the clipboard.
Nested layers
Buttons and nested instance layers.
My Styles
Stored in your Figma preferences, not the file.
Prototypes
On click → Navigate from a connector.
Figma UI3
FigUI3, light and dark, with no network access.

Figma plugin

Each connector requires a manual ⌘V with the plugin open. Connectors don't route around other screens, and their label background cannot be changed through the Design API.

Next projectSyntaxer