> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.emaillove.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# When Figma asks the Builder to wait

> Figma limits how often apps can read a file. Here's what happens to your design system build when Figma asks the Builder to wait, and how to carry on with your own Figma access.

To build a design system from Figma, the Builder reads your file through Figma's API. Figma limits how many reads an app can make. Files on Figma's free plans get very few reads a month. When the Builder reaches the limit, Figma tells it to wait, sometimes for hours.

Nothing is lost when this happens. The build keeps everything it has made so far.

## What you'll see

**A short wait.** The progress shows a line like "Figma asked us to slow down. It carries on at 2:41 pm." You don't need to do anything.

**A longer wait.** The build pauses and the page says **Your design system is paused**, with "Figma has asked us to wait before reading more of your file." and when it can carry on.

![A paused build with the Carry on now with your own Figma access box](https://mintcdn.com/emaillove/Mq_WDCFfMdudNH2J/images/builder/design-systems/figma-wait.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=Mq_WDCFfMdudNH2J\&q=85\&s=80daab94d102bace6f457119fb43469e)

What happens next depends on how the build started:

| How it started | What happens |
| - | - |
| Your first design system (guided setup) | It carries on by itself at the time shown. You can use the Builder meanwhile. |
| **New design system** (setup with an audit) | Come back after the time shown and click **Resume**. |
| Still reading the file | Come back after the time shown and click **Try again**. |

If the file is on Figma's free Starter plan, the page also says so. Moving the file to a team on a paid Figma plan lifts the limit.

## Carry on now with your own Figma access

You don't have to wait. A personal access token from your own Figma account has its own, much bigger allowance.

You need a **Full** or **Dev** seat on the Figma team that owns the file.

**1. Make a token in Figma**

1. In Figma, open **Settings** and go to **Security**.
2. Under **Personal access tokens**, generate a new token.
3. Give it read access to file content.
4. Copy the token.

Figma's help article [Manage personal access tokens](https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/8085703771159-Manage-personal-access-tokens) has the details. The Builder links to it from **How to make one in Figma**.

**2. Paste it into the Builder**

1. Open the paused build. It's on the setup page, or on the design system's page in a banner that starts **Paused at**.
2. Under **Carry on now with your own Figma access**, paste the token into the personal access token field.
3. Click **Carry on with my access**.

The token is used for this build only. The Builder doesn't save it to your account or your workspace. If the build pauses again later, for example after a long break, paste it again.

## If it pauses several times in a row

A guided build carries on by itself up to six times. If Figma keeps asking it to wait, the build stops with "Figma has asked us to wait several times in a row." Click **Resume** to try again, or carry on with your own Figma access as above.

## Tips

* Builds from files in a paid Figma team rarely hit the limit.
* A file with fewer pages and frames needs fewer reads. Moving your email designs into their own file helps.
* Setting up from [your brand's emails](https://help.emaillove.com/builder/design-systems/create.md#from-a-brand-on-email-love) or [Email Love's starter](https://help.emaillove.com/builder/design-systems/create.md#from-email-loves-starter) doesn't use Figma at all.


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