Animation Principles - Refresher — Claude Code skill: how to install
A concise 12-principles animation checklist without basic theory. Helps experienced animators quickly audit shots, diagnose floaty or stiff movement, and prioritize principles.
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill animation-principles---refresher -a claude-code
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill refresher -a claude-codeWhat Animation Principles - Refresher does
This skill injects a concise 12-principles checklist, a symptom diagnosis table, and a pre-flight shot checklist into the assistant's context. It omits introductory animation theory entirely, focusing on direct calibrations such as the silhouette test, root-leads-tips hierarchy, and pushing exaggeration 20% past reality.
The reference includes diagnostic pointers to troubleshoot specific motion issues: floaty timing, stiffness, lack of overlap, or mechanical arcs. It also outlines principle hierarchies matched to specific shot genres, including action scenes, dialogue shots, comedy, and subtle acting.
Because the skill contains only structured guidelines without external scripts, it requires no runtime dependencies or API credentials. It deliberately targets experienced animators; beginners will find no foundational tutorials or step-by-step breakdowns here.
What it helps with
- Audit an animation shot against core principles before delivery
- Diagnose reasons behind stiff, floaty, or lifeless movement
- Prioritize animation principles for action, comedy, or dialogue scenes
- Correct mechanical motion paths and balance spacing charts
Example prompts for the agent
- Review this sword swing animation: the movement feels too mechanical and floaty
- Help me prioritize animation principles for a character dialogue shot
- The jump sequence feels stiff and lacks weight. What should I check in spacing and overlap?
How to install Animation Principles - Refresher
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill animation-principles---refresher -a claude-codenpx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill refresher -a claude-code2Manually: put the files in place
~/.claude/skills/refresher/SKILL.mdCopy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/refresher/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill refresher -a codex2Manually: put the files in place
.agents/skills/refresher/SKILL.mdFor all projects use ~/.agents/skills/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill refresher -a cursor2Manually: put the files in place
.cursor/skills/refresher/SKILL.mdCursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/
1GitHub CLI
gh skill install dylantarre/animation-principles refresher2Manually: put the files in place
.github/skills/refresher/SKILL.md1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill refresher -a gemini-cli2Platform CLI
gemini skills install https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --path skills/04-by-skill-level/refresherManually: put the files in place
.devin/skills/refresher/SKILL.mdThe legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works
Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill refresher -a opencodeClaude.ai
Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to install skills in Claude Code: five ways
Questions about Animation Principles - Refresher
How do I install Animation Principles - Refresher in Claude Code?
Run npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill refresher -a claude-code.
Who is this skill designed for?
It targets experienced animators who want a rapid checklist and calibration guide without basic theoretical explanations.
What animation flaws does the diagnosis section address?
The skill helps troubleshoot floaty timing, stiff poses, confusing staging, mechanical arcs, and dead secondary motion.
Source text
SKILL.md · MIT
--- name: Animation Principles - Refresher description: Use when an experienced animator needs a quick reminder of the 12 principles without basic explanations --- # Quick Principles Refresher You know these. Here's the checklist. ## The 12 1. **Squash/Stretch** - Volume constant, shape varies. Check your impacts and fast motion. 2. **Anticipation** - Is the audience prepared? Opposite direction, proportional to action. 3. **Staging** - Silhouette test. One idea. Where's the eye going? 4. **Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose** - Right method for this shot? Maybe hybrid. 5. **Follow Through / Overlap** - Does everything stop at once? (It shouldn't.) Hierarchy: root leads, tips lag. 6. **Slow In / Out** - Checked your spacing charts? Bunched at ends, spread in middle. 7. **Arcs** - Track the paths. Everything curves unless intentionally broken. 8. **Secondary Action** - Supporting, not competing. Add after primary works. 9. **Timing** - Frame count matches intent? Weight, mood, pacing all live here. 10. **Exaggeration** - Did you push it enough? (Probably not.) Find real, then go 20% past. 11. **Solid Drawing** - Does it have weight? Volume consistent through motion? 12. **Appeal** - Would you watch this? Clear shapes, readable pose, distinctive design? ## Quick Diagnosis **Floaty?** Check timing and slow in/out. Probably too even. **Stiff?** Add overlap. Offset timing. Break symmetry. **Confusing?** Staging issue. Simplify. One idea per shot. **Mechanical?** Arcs are probably too straight. Add anticipation variety. **Dead?** Secondary action missing. Overlap insufficient. **Boring?** Push exaggeration. Check appeal. Vary timing. ## Shot Checklist Before calling it done: - [ ] Silhouette reads - [ ] Arcs tracked - [ ] Spacing varied (slow in/out) - [ ] Overlap on all appendages - [ ] Secondary action supports (doesn't compete) - [ ] Exaggeration appropriate to style - [ ] Timing matches weight and mood - [ ] Anticipation proportional - [ ] Volume consistent - [ ] Appeal present ## Principle Priority by Shot Type **Action:** Timing > Arcs > Anticipation > Squash/Stretch **Dialogue:** Staging > Secondary > Timing > Appeal **Comedy:** Timing > Exaggeration > Anticipation > Staging **Subtle acting:** Secondary > Overlap > Timing > Staging Trust your instincts. You've done this. This is just calibration.
© dylantarre · MIT · dylantarre/animation-principles
