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TemPad Dev provides several preference options to customize how the extension works within Figma. Access preferences by clicking the settings icon in the TemPad Dev panel.

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Tools

The Tools section contains interactive features that modify how you interact with Figma elements.

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Deep Select Mode

In Figma’s read-only view, selecting nodes requires double-clicking to drill down, and it often takes repeated double-clicks to select the lowest-level node. Although Figma offers a ⌘ + click shortcut, many users are unaware of this feature and need to perform extra key operations each time. TemPad Dev’s deep select mode automatically applies this behavior when hovering over the canvas, eliminating the need for manual key combinations. Deep select mode in preferences How it works:
  • When enabled, TemPad Dev locks the ⌘ (Meta) key state while hovering over the Figma canvas
  • This allows you to click directly on deeply nested elements without double-clicking
  • The feature pauses when you press the spacebar (for panning) and resumes when released
  • Automatically detects duplicate cursors to avoid conflicts with native Figma operations
Implementation details: The deep select feature is implemented in composables/key-lock.ts and monitors:
  • Canvas hover state
  • Spacebar key state (to pause during panning)
  • Meta key state synchronization
function syncMetaLock() {
  const hovered = isCanvasHovered()
  setLockMetaKey(hovered && options.value.deepSelectOn)
}

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Measure to Selection Mode

In Figma’s read-only view, you need to hold ⌥ (Alt/Option) and move the cursor to display the spacing between other nodes and the selected node. TemPad Dev’s measure to selection mode eliminates this requirement. Measure to selection mode in preferences How it works:
  • When enabled, TemPad Dev locks the ⌥ key state while hovering over the canvas
  • Spacing measurements appear automatically without holding any keys
  • The feature pauses when you manually press ⌥ to avoid conflicts
  • Automatically resumes when you release the key
Implementation details: The measure feature tracks Alt key presses to avoid interference: 
function syncAltLock() {
  const hovered = isCanvasHovered()
  setLockAltKey(hovered && !altPressed && options.value.measureOn)
}

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Configuration Interface

Preferences are stored in browser local storage and persist across sessions. The configuration structure is defined in ui/state.ts: 
export type Options = {
  minimized: boolean
  panelPosition: {
    left: number
    top: number
    width?: number
  }
  prefOpen: boolean
  deepSelectOn: boolean
  measureOn: boolean
  cssUnit: 'px' | 'rem'
  rootFontSize: number
  scale: number
  variableDisplay: 'reference' | 'resolved' | 'both'
  mcpOn: boolean
  plugins: {
    [source: string]: PluginData
  }
  activePluginSource: string | null
}

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Default Values

The extension initializes with these default preferences: 
{
  minimized: false,
  panelPosition: {
    left: window.innerWidth - ui.nativePanelWidth - ui.tempadPanelWidth,
    top: ui.topBoundary,
    width: ui.tempadPanelWidth
  },
  prefOpen: false,
  deepSelectOn: false,
  measureOn: false,
  cssUnit: 'px',
  rootFontSize: 16,
  scale: 1,
  variableDisplay: 'reference',
  mcpOn: false,
  plugins: {},
  activePluginSource: null
}

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Accessing Preferences

Preferences are accessed using Vue’s composition API with VueUse’s useStorage composable: 
import { options } from '@/ui/state'

// Reading a preference
const isDeepSelectEnabled = options.value.deepSelectOn

// Updating a preference
options.value.cssUnit = 'rem'
Changes to preferences are automatically persisted to local storage and reflected across the UI.

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Related Topics

  • Units - Configure CSS unit conversion
  • Variables - Control variable display modes
  • MCP Server - Configure the Model Context Protocol server
  • Plugins - Install and manage plugins