External Agents connect a locally running AI coding assistant to Framer through the @framer/agent CLI. For new connections, start with Framer MCP. Use External Agents if you need localization support or depend on an existing local CLI workflow.
What External Agents are
External Agents let you use an AI coding assistant such as Claude Code, Codex, or Cursor with a Framer project. The assistant uses the @framer/agent CLI and installed skills to inspect the project and apply changes.
How the local connection works
Your AI assistant runs on your computer and reaches Framer through the local @framer/agent CLI bridge. Keep the assistant, bridge, and any relevant local tools running while the task is in progress.
Open Framer to review changes on the canvas. The result remains editable, so you can adjust it yourself or ask the assistant to refine it before publishing.
What External Agents can do
Pages and layouts: create pages, update layouts, and make content or design changes using the project’s existing styles and components.
CMS content: create collections and items, update fields, and import or reconcile structured content.
Localization: work with existing locales, update translations, and flag missing or uncertain localized content for review.
Redirects and structured updates: apply redirect mappings and repeat consistent changes across project content.
The AI client can also use files, scripts, APIs, command-line tools, and structured data available in your local environment. Access depends on the client, its permissions, and the tools you have configured.
When the local setup makes sense
Use External Agents for localization, existing @framer/agent workflows, or tasks that depend on installed skills or local scripts.
You need to update localized content, a workflow Framer MCP does not support at launch.
You already have a working @framer/agent setup and want to keep using its installed skills.
A task depends on a local script or command-line tool, such as an existing content importer.
You run repeatable imports or technical site operations that read local data, update matching records, and report exceptions.
Example workflows
Review translations across existing locales
“Translate the new homepage copy into every existing locale and flag anything that needs manual review.”
Create CMS items from local data
“Read this local JSON file, create the missing CMS items, and report any records you skipped.”
Reuse a content import script
“Run the existing content import script, update the matching CMS entries, and summarize what changed.”
Give the assistant the project link and any file paths or scripts it needs. For bulk updates, ask it to explain the planned changes first and summarize the result afterward.
Framer MCP compared with External Agents
Framer MCP uses a remote connection and does not require the local CLI bridge. Start with Framer MCP for new connections unless you need localization or depend on an existing local workflow.
External Agents remain supported while Framer MCP reaches feature parity. Localization is the main missing MCP workflow at launch. Local files and tools can also be available through an MCP client, depending on that client’s connections; they are not exclusive to External Agents.
How to get started
See What you can do with Framer MCP for supported workflows. Follow Getting started with Framer MCP to connect your AI client.
Follow Use external agents with Framer to set up the local CLI bridge and installed skills.
FAQ
Should I use Framer MCP or External Agents?
Start with Framer MCP for new connections. Use External Agents if you need localization support or depend on the existing local CLI and installed skills. Both remain supported for now.
Does Framer MCP support every External Agents workflow?
Not yet. Framer MCP covers the main page, layout, content, and CMS workflows, but localization support is not available at launch.
Does Framer need to stay open when using External Agents?
The local bridge and AI assistant must keep running on your computer. You can open Framer to review changes on the canvas.
