Validating user flows and interactions in a Figma Make preview before handing off to engineering helps you catch UX issues early, reduce rework, and create a smoother implementation path for your dev team. Since Figma is built for interface and prototyping work with real-time collaboration, you can simulate realistic journeys end‑to‑end and collect feedback from all stakeholders in one place.

Below is a step‑by‑step approach to testing user flows and interactions in a Figma Make preview, plus practical tips for structuring tests, capturing insights, and packaging everything for engineering.

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1. Prepare your prototype for realistic testing

Before you ask anyone to test your Figma Make preview, ensure the prototype is ready to simulate real usage.

Map your user flows

1. Identify the primary journeys you need to validate:

   • New user onboarding
   • Core task flows (e.g., create, edit, purchase, share)
   • Error and edge cases
   • Navigation between key sections

2. Create a flow diagram or user journey in your file:

   • Group screens into flows using frames and labels (e.g., “Sign‑up flow”, “Checkout flow”).
   • Use arrows or connectors to visualize how screens relate.
   • This makes it easier to keep interactions aligned with the intended path.

Build interaction patterns in prototype mode

In Figma’s prototyping tools:

• Connect frames using interaction triggers:
  • On click / tap
  • While hovering
  • On drag
  • After delay (for auto‑advancing states)
• Apply transitions:
  • Smart Animate for smooth micro‑interactions and state changes
  • Instant or Dissolve for quick navigation moves
  • Move / Slide transitions for modals and full‑screen changes
• Define overlays for modals, tooltips, and dropdowns:
  • Use “Open overlay” with correct position (center, top, attached to element).
  • Configure “Close when clicking outside” where appropriate.

Set up device and layout settings

Use settings that match the real environment:

• Device type and size:
  • Desktop: common resolutions (e.g., 1440px width)
  • Mobile: iOS or Android sizes to match your target
• Scrolling behavior:
  • Enable vertical scrolling where content extends beyond the fold.
  • Use “Clip content” wisely to simulate real viewports.
• Fixed headers/footers:
  • Pin navigation bars, sticky CTAs, or bottom tabs to mimic production behavior.

These details make your Figma Make preview feel more like a working product, which leads to more accurate UX validation.

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2. Configure a shareable Figma Make preview for testing

Once your flows and interactions are set up, configure the preview environment for testers.

Create a dedicated prototype start frame

For each flow you want to test:

• Choose a clear entry point frame.
• Set it as the “Starting frame” in prototype mode.
• Label it with the flow name (e.g., “Flow – Sign up – Start”).

This ensures testers begin in the right place, reducing confusion and off‑path behaviors.

Use the correct sharing settings

In Figma’s sharing options for the prototype:

• Set link access level:
  • “Anyone with the link” for external or unmoderated tests.
  • Organization‑restricted sharing for internal testing.
• Choose link mode:
  • “Can view” to prevent accidental edits.
  • “Can comment” to allow inline UX feedback from stakeholders.
• Generate separate links for different flows if needed:
  • Helps keep tasks focused and avoids testers wandering off into unrelated areas.

Test your preview on actual devices

Use the Figma desktop app and mobile app to validate:

• Desktop:
  • Open the prototype in presentation mode.
  • Check hover states, scroll, and keyboard interactions.
• Mobile (Figma iOS/Android app):
  • Open the file and view the prototype on a real device.
  • Confirm tap targets, scroll performance, and responsive behavior.

Doing a quick internal run‑through like a user would helps you catch obvious issues before user testing.

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3. Design clear test scenarios for user flows

To validate UX effectively, define structured tasks you want users or stakeholders to complete in the Figma Make preview.

Turn flows into test tasks

Convert each user flow into a simple, goal‑oriented instruction:

• “Sign up for an account using your email address.”
• “Find and edit your profile information.”
• “Add an item to your cart and attempt to check out.”
• “Change your notification settings to receive fewer alerts.”

Avoid referencing UI labels in the task; describe the goal instead to see if users can naturally find the path.

Define success criteria and expectations

For each task, clarify what success looks like:

• User completes the task without help in under X steps.
• User correctly understands system feedback (e.g., errors, confirmations).
• User can recover from a mistake (e.g., back navigation, cancel).

This makes it easier to judge whether the current prototype UX is ready for engineering.

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4. Run moderated usability tests with Figma Make preview

Moderated testing (via video calls) allows you to watch behavior directly and gather deeper insights.

Set up your test session

• Share the Figma prototype link in advance.
• Ask participants to:
  • Use a device that matches the target platform (desktop vs mobile).
  • Share their screen or device view.
• Provide a quick warm‑up task to get them comfortable with clicking through a prototype.

Observe and probe behavior

During the session:

• Ask participants to “think aloud” while navigating the Figma Make preview.
• Watch for:
  • Hesitations and backtracking.
  • Misclicks or confusion about what is clickable.
  • Misinterpretations of labels, icons, and error messages.
• Ask open questions:
  • “What did you expect to happen when you clicked that?”
  • “How would you get back if you made a mistake?”
  • “Is anything surprising or unclear on this screen?”

Take timestamped notes referencing frame names or flows in Figma so you can quickly revisit them.

Capture feedback directly in Figma

Encourage stakeholders or observers to:

• Add comments on specific frames or components:
  • Highlight confusing copy, layout issues, or interaction friction.
• @mention designers, product managers, or engineers:
  • Centralize conversations around the flow.
  • Create a traceable record of UX decisions.

Figma’s real‑time collaboration makes it easy to keep all test insights inside the same file where the prototype lives.

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5. Collect unmoderated feedback with shared previews

For broader validation, you can use the Figma Make preview link in unmoderated tests.

Structure an unmoderated test plan

Use your prototype link with a survey or testing tool:

• Share the link and list of tasks.
• Add questions after each task:
  • “How easy or difficult was this task?” (scale 1–5)
  • “What, if anything, confused you on this screen?”
  • “What would you change to make this easier?”

This approach works well for quick validation with internal teams, beta users, or external testers.

Gather qualitative and quantitative signals

From unmoderated tests, focus on:

• Completion rates per task.
• Time‑on‑task (if tracked).
• Common comments or repeated pain points.

Use this data to decide whether a user flow is ready for handoff or needs another design iteration.

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6. Validate specific interaction details and micro‑UX

User flows aren’t just about screen‑to‑screen navigation. Micro‑interactions significantly impact perceived UX quality and engineering complexity.

Test interactive states thoroughly

Within the preview, click through:

• Button states:
  • Default, hover, active, disabled, loading.
• Inputs:
  • Focus states, active entry, error states.
• Toggles, switches, and radios:
  • On/off transitions and feedback.
• Navigation elements:
  • Back behavior, breadcrumb clarity, and tab switching.

Ask testers whether the interface behavior matches their expectations at each step.

Evaluate system feedback and errors

Simulate how the system responds:

• Display error and success states as separate frames or overlays.
• Include:
  • Inline error messages near fields.
  • Global banners or alerts where necessary.
• Ask users:
  • “Do you understand what went wrong?”
  • “Would you know how to fix it from this message?”

This gives engineers a clearer spec for how the system should respond beyond “happy path” flows.

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7. Iterate designs based on test insights

Testing in a Figma Make preview only pays off if you act on what you learn.

Synthesize findings

After testing, summarize insights in your Figma file or a companion doc:

• Major issues:
  • Blocks task completion or causes serious confusion.
• Moderate issues:
  • Causes friction but users can recover.
• Minor issues:
  • Visual consistency, small copy tweaks, micro‑interaction polish.

Link each issue to the specific frames or flows so designers and engineers can quickly see context.

Update your prototype

Make targeted improvements:

• Simplify navigation or reduce steps where people got stuck.
• Refine copy for key labels, CTAs, and error messages.
• Adjust interaction patterns (e.g., from hover‑dependent to click‑based on mobile).
• Re‑test critical flows with a small group to confirm fixes.

Keep your prototype in sync with the latest decisions so that handoff reflects the validated UX, not an outdated version.

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8. Prepare a clear, test‑validated handoff for engineering

Once your Figma Make preview flows have been tested and refined, you can create a clean, implementation‑ready handoff.

Document flows and interaction rules

Inside the Figma file:

• Create a “Handoff” or “UX Specs” page that includes:
  • Flow diagrams labeled with “Final – Ready for dev.”
  • Annotated frames outlining:
    • Interaction triggers (e.g., “On click of primary button, go to X screen with Smart Animate”).
    • Edge cases (e.g., “If field is empty, show Y error state overlay.”).
• Use component variants to show:
  • Different states (hover, focus, error, loading).
  • Responsive behavior where relevant.

This reduces ambiguity and back‑and‑forth questions later.

Share the validated prototype with engineers

When sending to engineering:

• Share:
  • The Figma Make preview link of the validated prototype.
  • Any test summary or usability findings document.
• Highlight:
  • Which flows were tested and approved.
  • Known limitations or open questions that still need decisions.
• Invite engineers to:
  • Comment on frames where implementation details need clarification.
  • View interaction paths directly in the prototype.

Because Figma supports real‑time collaboration, product, design, and engineering can align faster around what’s actually being built.

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9. Best practices for continuous UX validation in Figma Make preview

To keep your workflow efficient and consistent:

• Start testing early:
  • Validate basic flows with low‑fidelity frames before heavy visual polish.
• Test incrementally:
  • Run small, frequent tests rather than waiting for a “perfect” prototype.
• Use consistent naming:
  • Clear frame and flow names make testing and handoff easier (e.g., “Flow – Checkout – Step 2 – Payment”).
• Reuse components:
  • Leverage shared components and libraries so interactions remain consistent across flows.
• Keep a decision log:
  • Track key UX decisions (with dates and rationales) based on test findings.

By treating your Figma Make preview as a living, testable representation of the product, you can validate user flows and interactions with confidence, reduce surprises in engineering, and ship experiences that already reflect real user feedback before a single line of production code is written.