Solo VV
The desktop Variable Visualizer for Mac. Author the same living graph against your real components, generate production wrappers, and keep preview and build on one binding plan.
Open a repo. Preview is the wrapper.
Create or open a local project, then choose Set up VV for this project. Solo writes a .vv folder, discovers components, and mounts generated wrappers under a live provider. Restart the dev server once — later edits update through HMR.
Pin real layers. Generate wrappers.
Pin DOM layers, pick CSS from the authored stylesheet, and connect variables with type-aware ports. Solo generates .vv.tsx, .vv.vue, and .vv.svelte files marked @generated by Variable Visualizer. Preview uses those wrappers — not a mock.
Bring Figma with you.
Plugin and Solo share a graph, not a window. Import Figma VV JSON to map collections and modes 1:1. Export the same format back — or export JSON, CSS, Theme, and DTCG 2025.10 from the Mac app.
Codex and VV Doctor on the desktop.
Ask Codex about the canvas and review every graph change before it applies. VV Doctor inspects graph health against learned rules. This is the Mac workbench — not the Claude assistant inside the Figma plugin.
Plugin vs Solo VV
Same Variable Visualizer system. Different place to author it. The Figma plugin stays the design-file surface.
| Figma plugin | Solo VV | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs in | Figma | macOS 12+, Apple Silicon |
| Source of truth | The Figma file | Your repo + the Solo canvas |
| Live preview | Design-file context | Generated wrappers via the project dev server |
| Wrappers | — | React, Vue, Svelte, Web Components |
| AI | Claude in Figma | Embedded Codex + VV Doctor |
| Who it is for | Authoring variables in the file | Binding the same graph to production components |
Get the latest beta
Requires macOS 12 or later on Apple Silicon. Opening a project also needs Node 20.19+ or 22.12+ and Vite, Next.js, or Webpack 5+. The Mac beta is a free download. Plugin plans on the homepage apply to the Figma product.
- Download the latest notarized DMG. This page always resolves the current GitHub Release.
- Open the disk image and drag Variable Visualizer into Applications.
- Launch, create or open a project, then choose Set up VV for this project. Restart the project dev server once.
FAQ
What is Solo VV versus the Figma plugin?
The Figma plugin authors the living graph inside Figma. Solo VV is the Mac desktop Variable Visualizer: the same graph against your real components, with generated wrappers, live preview, and Figma VV JSON interchange. No Figma plugin required.
Does Solo VV run on Intel Macs or Windows?
No. The current beta is Apple Silicon only (macOS 12+). Windows and Linux builds are not distributed.
Do I need Figma installed to use Solo VV?
No. Solo VV is a standalone Mac app. You can import a Figma VV JSON export if you already have one, but Figma does not need to be running.
Can I import a Figma Variable Visualizer export?
Yes. File → Import Figma VV JSON maps collections and modes 1:1. You can export the same format back to the plugin.
Does Solo VV write into my repository?
Only after you choose Set up VV for this project. That writes a .vv folder, generated wrappers, and a Vite or Webpack plugin. Uninstall VV restores the previous project setup.
Which frameworks does Solo VV support?
React has the full spine: wrappers, live preview, and playground. Vue, Svelte, and Web Components get wrappers and live preview. Playground composition is React-only today.
How much does the Solo VV Mac beta cost?
The Mac beta is a free download. Variable Visualizer plugin plans apply to the Figma product.
How do updates work?
New notarized builds publish to GitHub Releases. This page always points at the latest DMG, and the app can update from the same release channel.