How to Install Figma on Linux: A Step-by-Step Guide
Figma has become an indispensable tool for designers and creatives worldwide, offering collaborative design capabilities that transcend geographical boundaries. While Figma does not have an official native Linux application, it is still possible to run it on Linux using the web browser. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of installing and using Figma on a Linux system.
Prerequisites
Before you begin the installation process, ensure that you have the following:
- A Linux-based operating system (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian)
- An updated web browser (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox recommended)
Steps to Install Figma on Linux
Follow these steps to install and access Figma on your Linux machine:
Step 1: Install Google Chrome (Optional)
While Figma supports various modern web browsers, Google Chrome tends to provide the best compatibility and performance. To install Google Chrome, follow these steps:
- Open a terminal window.
-
For Ubuntu-based systems, run the following commands:
sudo apt updatesudo apt install google-chrome-stable -
For Fedora-based systems, execute these commands:
sudo dnf install https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_x86_64.rpm
Step 2: Open Figma in a Web Browser
Once you have Google Chrome installed (or your preferred browser), you can access Figma through the browser by following these steps:
- Open your web browser.
- In the address bar, type
https://www.figma.com. - If you have a Figma account, log in using your credentials. If not, you can sign up for a new account.
Step 3: Create a Figma Shortcut (Optional)
For convenience, you can create a desktop shortcut to directly access Figma without opening the browser every time:
- Open Figma in your browser.
- Click the three-dot menu icon (usually located in the upper-right corner).
- Navigate to "More tools" and select "Create shortcut."
- Give the shortcut a name, e.g., "Figma," and choose whether you want it to open in a new window or not.
- Click "Create" to generate the shortcut.
Step 4: Enable Notifications (Optional)
To receive notifications from Figma even when the browser is closed, you can enable desktop notifications:
- While in Figma, click on your profile picture in the top-left corner.
- Go to "Account settings."
- Under the "Notifications" tab, configure your notification preferences.
Step 5: Install Figma Font Helper (Optional)
For the best Figma experience, you might want to install the Figma Font Helper, which ensures accurate font rendering within the Figma interface:
- While in Figma, click on your profile picture in the top-left corner.
- Go to "Help."
- Click on "Download Font Helper."
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Font Helper.
Conclusion
Although Figma does not have a native Linux application, it can still be used effectively on Linux systems through web browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox. By following these steps, you can have Figma up and running on your Linux machine, enabling you to collaborate with your team and create amazing designs seamlessly.
