Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “keep the design system and component library up to date”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today.

90 min
typically, once a week
40%
of the time can be automated
Some setup
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

Process fixBest fix

Design from a shared component library with variables and variants

When the common pieces are components with variants and variables, screens assemble faster, assets export consistently, and developers get fewer questions.

Typically saves about 25% of the time16 h to set up
  1. 1Audit the ten most-used patterns in your files.
  2. 2Turn them into components with variants and use variables for color, spacing and type.
  3. 3Match names with the code components and document usage in the library.
  4. 4Make the library the default for new files and review drift monthly.

Tools: Figma libraries and variables · Storybook · Zeroheight

Fix 2 of 2

Software feature

Hand off through Figma Dev Mode and Code Connect

Dev Mode shows developers measurements, tokens and the matching code component, and Figma's MCP server lets coding agents read designs directly. Fewer handoff docs, fewer questions.

Typically saves about 40% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1Mark frames "Ready for dev" and add notes only where behavior is not obvious.
  2. 2Set up Code Connect so components show real code snippets from your codebase.
  3. 3Turn on the Figma MCP server so developers' coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor, Copilot) can read the design.
  4. 4Stop writing separate redline docs.

Tools: Figma Dev Mode · Figma Code Connect · Figma MCP server

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

UX / UI designer

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

How many hours does this cost you?

The free 8-minute check works out where your week goes and gives you your top fixes. The team scan does the same for everyone and adds it up, so you know which leaks to fix first.

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Other common tasks for UX / UI designers