How to Chat in Figma: Real-Time Collaboration Tips

Switching between Figma and Slack just to ask a quick question? That breaks your flow.

Learning how to chat in Figma keeps your team communication inside the design file where it belongs.

Figma offers three built-in methods: cursor chat for quick messages, audio conversations for live discussions, and comments for permanent feedback.

Each serves a different purpose in your collaborative design workflow.

This guide walks you through every communication feature step by step.

You’ll learn exact shortcuts, settings, and when to use each tool for effective team collaboration.

Whether you’re running a design review or gathering stakeholder feedback, these features eliminate the need to jump between apps.

How to Chat in Figma

Chatting in Figma is the process of communicating with collaborators directly inside design files using text, voice, or comments.

Teams need this when gathering stakeholder feedback, conducting real-time design reviews, or working remotely on collaborative design projects.

This guide covers 3 primary communication methods: cursor chat, audio conversations, and the Figma comment tool.

Setup takes 2 to 5 minutes with the Figma desktop app or browser access.

Prerequisites

Before you start using Figma’s collaboration features, confirm you have the following:

• Figma account (Free, Professional, Education, or Organization plan)
• Figma desktop app or supported browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
• File access permissions (can view or can edit)
• Microphone access for audio chat
• At least one collaborator with file access

Audio chat works on desktop and browser only, not mobile devices.

Anyone with can view access can add comments and participate in discussions.

Step One: How Do You Start a Cursor Chat in Figma?

Cursor chat lets you send quick text messages that follow your mouse around the canvas.

Right-click anywhere on the canvas and select “Cursor chat” from the menu, or press the / key on your keyboard.

A speech bubble appears next to your cursor, visible to all collaborators currently in the file.

Action

1. Exact location: Right-click canvas > Select “Cursor chat” OR press / key
2. Character limit: 52 characters maximum per message
3. Expected result: Speech bubble displays next to your cursor, updates live as you type

Other collaborators see what you’re typing as you type it. No send button needed.

Messages disappear after 5 seconds of inactivity.

Purpose

Cursor chat works best for lightweight collaboration like quick questions, reactions to a presenter’s diagram, or spontaneous file encounters.

This is temporary communication, perfect for user experience discussions without cluttering the design file.

Need permanent feedback? Use comments instead.

Step Two: How Do You Join an Audio Conversation in Figma?

Figma’s audio feature enables live voice conversations directly inside your design files.

Click your avatar in the top toolbar, then click the headphone icon to start or join a conversation.

Your browser or desktop app will request microphone access. Allow it to proceed.

Action

1. Exact location: Top toolbar > Click avatar > Click headphone icon
2. Permissions: Allow microphone access when prompted
3. Expected result: Green “Connected” label appears in audio controls

When someone speaks, their avatar bubbles up to the toolbar with an audio pulse around their cursor.

Voice chat works on Professional, Education, and Organization plans.

Purpose

Audio conversations are great for co-designing sessions, design walkthroughs, and detailed user interface discussions.

Walk developers through implementation details or present prototypes to stakeholders without switching to Zoom or Slack.

Figma does not record or monitor audio conversations.

Step Three: How Do You Configure Audio Settings in Figma?

Figma uses your computer’s default microphone settings, but you can change devices within the app.

Click the settings gear icon in your audio controls panel to access device options.

Action

1. Exact location: Audio controls panel > Click settings gear icon
2. Microphone: Select preferred input device from dropdown menu
3. Speakers: Select preferred output device (Chrome and desktop app only)

Use your computer’s system preferences to test microphone and speaker levels before joining.

Mute Controls

Click the microphone icon to mute or unmute yourself during conversations.

When muted, participants cannot hear you. Click again to unmute and resume speaking.

To leave a conversation, click “Leave” in audio controls or close the file tab.

Step Four: How Do You Add a Comment to a Design in Figma?

The Figma comment tool creates permanent, anchored feedback directly on your canvas.

Click the comment icon (speech bubble) in the toolbar or press C on your keyboard to enter comment mode.

Your cursor changes to a pin icon, ready to place feedback anywhere on the design.

Action

1. Exact location: Toolbar > Click comment icon OR press C
2. Pin comment: Click anywhere on canvas to anchor your comment, or click and drag to select a region
3. Expected result: Comment bubble appears at pinned location, visible in right sidebar

Type your message in the text field. Add emoji by clicking the smiley face icon.

Press Enter or click the send button to post your comment.

Purpose

Comments provide asynchronous design feedback that stays attached to specific elements.

Team members can reply, react, and resolve comments as iterations progress.

This works when you’re collaborating across time zones or need a permanent record of design decisions.

Comments appear on both the canvas and in a dedicated panel, making it easy to track all feedback in one place.

When you need to hide comments in Figma to focus on design work, press Shift + C to toggle visibility.

Step Five: How Do You Mention Team Members in Figma Comments?

Use @mentions to notify specific collaborators about your feedback.

Type @ followed by your teammate’s name inside the comment text field.

Figma displays suggestions as you type. Select the correct person from the list.

Action

1. Exact location: Inside comment text field
2. Format: Type @ followed by collaborator’s name
3. Expected result: Collaborator receives email notification and in-app alert

Mentioned team members get a Figma notification with comment details and a design preview.

If someone is missing from your suggestions, invite them to the file first via the Share button.

Restrictions

Mention behavior varies by permission level (owner, admin, can edit, can view) and plan type.

On Free plans, you can mention anyone with file access.

Organizations can configure additional notification settings through admin controls.

Step Six: How Do You Attach Media to Comments in Figma?

Add images or GIFs to provide visual context for your feedback.

Click the image icon inside the comment field, or drag and drop files directly.

Action

1. Exact location: Comment field > Click image icon
2. Supported formats: PNG, JPEG, GIF (up to 5 attachments per comment)
3. Expected result: Media thumbnail appears in comment before posting

Copy and paste from your clipboard works too.

Remove attachments by clicking the X in the upper-right corner of the thumbnail.

Purpose

Screenshots and reference images clarify complex feedback that words alone can’t capture.

Attach competitor examples, annotated screenshots, or GIFs showing interaction issues.

Step Seven: How Do You Resolve and Manage Comments in Figma?

Mark comments as resolved once feedback has been addressed.

Select any comment on the canvas or from the right sidebar, then click the checkmark icon.

Action

1. Resolve: Select comment > Click checkmark icon
2. View resolved: Comment mode > Right sidebar > Toggle “Show resolved comments”
3. Delete: Click three-dot menu > Select “Delete thread”

Resolved comments hide from both canvas and sidebar. Accidentally resolved? Uncheck the checkmark to restore.

Deleting is permanent. Even restoring earlier file versions won’t bring back deleted comments.

Comment Sidebar Features

Press C to enter comment mode and access the sidebar.

Search, sort, and filter all comments in one place. Click any comment to jump to its location on canvas.

Each comment shows which page it’s on, helpful for multi-page design files.

Step Eight: How Do You Exit Chat Modes in Figma?

Different chat features have different exit methods.

Cursor Chat

Press Esc or click anywhere on the canvas.

Figma also auto-exits after inactivity, switching you back to the select tool.

Audio Conversation

Click “Leave” in audio controls or close the file tab.

If you haven’t spoken for a while, a modal asks if you’re still there. No response ends the connection.

Comment Mode

Press Esc or select another tool from the toolbar.

You can’t edit layers while in comment mode, so exit to resume design work.

Verification

Confirm each communication method works before your team collaboration session.

Cursor Chat

Type a message. Verify the speech bubble appears next to your cursor.

Ask a collaborator to confirm they see your message in real-time.

Audio

Check for the green “Connected” status label.

Speak and watch for the audio pulse animation around your cursor.

Comments

Post a test comment. Verify the pin appears on canvas and the comment shows in the sidebar.

Mention a collaborator and confirm they receive the notification email.

Troubleshooting

Cursor Chat Not Appearing

Issue: Pressing / key does nothing.

Solution: Deselect all objects on canvas first. Cursor chat requires no active selection.

Audio Not Connecting

Issue: Can’t join conversation or no sound.

Solution: Check browser microphone permissions at Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Verify Figma has access enabled. Try refreshing the page.

Comments Not Saving

Issue: Comment disappears after posting.

Solution: Verify file permissions. Users need at least “can view” access. Rate limit: 100 comments per hour maximum.

Team Member Not Receiving Mentions

Issue: Collaborator doesn’t appear in @mention suggestions.

Solution: Invite them to the file via Share button before mentioning. They need file access to receive notifications.

Audio Quality Issues

Issue: Choppy or distorted sound.

Solution: Check internet connection stability. Close other bandwidth-heavy applications. Try switching microphone or speaker devices in audio settings.

Related Communication Features

Figma offers additional collaboration tools beyond chat.

Spotlight Mode

Click a collaborator’s avatar, then click “Spotlight” to follow them around the canvas.

Great for prototyping in Figma presentations and design reviews.

Observation Mode

Watch what collaborators are doing in real-time without controlling the view.

Click your own avatar and select “Spotlight” to recenter on your cursor.

FigJam Emote Reactions

In FigJam files, use temporary emote reactions for quick feedback.

High-fives, thumbs up, and other reactions appear briefly near your cursor.

Version History

Figma auto-saves checkpoints after 30 minutes of inactivity.

Access via file title dropdown > “Show Version History” to review changes and undo in Figma when needed.

Tips for Effective Team Communication

Choose the Right Tool

• Cursor chat: Quick questions, reactions, spontaneous encounters
• Audio: Detailed discussions, co-designing sessions, walkthroughs
• Comments: Permanent feedback, async collaboration, stakeholder reviews

Comment Best Practices

Keep feedback specific and actionable. Pin comments directly to the element you’re discussing.

Use @mentions sparingly. Tag only people who need to take action.

Resolve comments promptly to keep the design file organized.

Audio Etiquette

Mute when not speaking to reduce background noise.

Use headphones to prevent echo and feedback loops.

Start with a quick agenda for focused design review sessions.

Integrations

Connect Figma to Slack for comment notifications in your team channels.

Microsoft Teams integration syncs replies directly from your chat platform.

When building interactive designs, understanding how to make components in Figma helps teams discuss reusable elements more effectively.

FAQ on How To Chat In Figma

Does Figma have a built-in chat feature?

Yes. Figma offers three communication methods: cursor chat for temporary messages, audio conversations for live voice discussions, and comments for permanent feedback anchored to specific design elements.

How do I start cursor chat in Figma?

Press the / key on your keyboard or right-click the canvas and select “Cursor chat.” A speech bubble appears next to your cursor. Type your message (52 character limit) and collaborators see it instantly.

Can I voice chat in Figma?

Yes. Click your avatar in the toolbar, then click the headphone icon. Allow microphone access when prompted. Audio chat works on Professional, Education, and Organization plans via desktop app or browser.

How do I leave a comment in Figma?

Press C to enter comment mode or click the speech bubble icon in the toolbar. Click anywhere on canvas to pin your comment. Type your feedback and press Enter to post.

How do I mention someone in Figma comments?

Type @ followed by your collaborator’s name inside the comment field. Select from the suggestions list. They receive an email notification and in-app alert with your comment details.

Can I attach images to Figma comments?

Yes. Click the image icon in the comment field or drag and drop files directly. Figma supports PNG, JPEG, and GIF formats. You can attach up to 5 media files per comment.

How do I resolve comments in Figma?

Select the comment on canvas or from the right sidebar. Click the checkmark icon to mark it resolved. Resolved comments hide from view but can be restored by toggling “Show resolved comments.”

Why can’t I see cursor chat in Figma?

Deselect all objects on canvas first. Cursor chat only works when nothing is selected. Press Esc to deselect, then press / to activate cursor chat mode.

Does Figma record audio conversations?

No. Figma does not record or monitor audio conversations. Voice chat is live only with no logs saved. For permanent records of discussions, use the comment feature instead.

Can viewers leave comments in Figma?

Yes. Anyone with “can view” or “can edit” access can add and view comments. This includes stakeholders and clients reviewing designs. They need file access before you can @mention them.

Conclusion

Knowing how to chat in Figma transforms how your team handles design feedback and collaboration.

No more app-switching. No more lost context.

Cursor chat handles quick questions. Audio conversations power real-time co-designing sessions. Comments create a permanent record of decisions and iterations.

Each tool fits a specific workflow need.

Master the shortcuts: / for cursor chat, C for comments, headphone icon for audio.

Use @mentions to notify the right people. Resolve comments as you address them.

These features keep communication where it matters most: inside your design file.

Your remote team collaboration becomes faster, clearer, and more organized.

Start with one feature today. The rest will follow naturally as your Figma design workflow evolves.