Zeplin
The handoff tool that translates design files into developer-ready specs automatically.
What it is
About Zeplin
Zeplin is a design handoff and collaboration tool that bridges design teams and engineering teams. Designers export screens from Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD into Zeplin, which automatically generates CSS, iOS, Android, and React Native code snippets, spacing measurements, and asset downloads for every element. Developers inspect any component without needing access to the design application itself, and both teams annotate screens with comments. Reduces the "what does this spec mean?" back-and-forth that typically occurs between design and engineering handoff.
What you can do with it
Capabilities
Export a completed Figma or Sketch design to Zeplin and have all spacing, colour, and typography values automatically measured
Allow developers to click any element and see its CSS, Swift, or Kotlin code equivalent without opening Figma
Leave annotated comments on specific sections of a design to flag interaction notes, edge cases, or component states for engineers
Build a living styleguide in Zeplin where colour palettes, text styles, and shared components are documented in one place
Track which screens have been reviewed and marked ready for development using status markers across sections
How to learn it
Learning Resources
Zeplin's documentation and getting-started guides at zeplin.io/help
YouTube: DesignWithArash covers Zeplin within realistic design-to-engineering workflow tutorials
The free single-project plan is sufficient to learn every core feature — set up a real handoff project before evaluating a paid plan
Pro Tip
Figma's own Dev Mode increasingly overlaps with Zeplin's core functionality. If your team already pays for Figma Professional, evaluate whether Dev Mode covers your handoff needs before adding a separate Zeplin subscription on top.
Skills that use this tool
Roles that use this tool