# animation-systems

Motion design guide for clean, product-grade web animations like Stripe, Linear, and Apple. Useful when building UI transitions, hover states, and modals.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 1900 installs · ★ 7001
- Author: MengTo
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/MengTo/Skills/tree/HEAD/agent-skills/web-design/animation-systems/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-25
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/animation-systems

## What it does

The skill guides your coding agent to implement restrained interface animations instead of random effects. It relies on reusable motion primitives like fade-and-rise entrances and slide transitions. Durations follow practical rules: 120–200 ms for micro-interactions, up to 400–800 ms for section reveals.

Performance rules are strict. The instructions explicitly forbid animating layout properties like `width`, `height`, `top`, or `left`. Everything must rely on `transform` and `opacity` to avoid reflows. Every generated transition must also respect `prefers-reduced-motion`, falling back to instant state changes.

It adapts to CSS, GSAP, or Framer Motion depending on your stack. The agent will first set up design tokens for durations and easing curves before outputting code.

## Requirements
- Works with: Linear, Stripe

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add MengTo/Skills --skill animation-systems -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/animation-systems/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/animation-systems/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add MengTo/Skills --skill animation-systems -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/animation-systems/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add MengTo/Skills --skill animation-systems -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/animation-systems/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install MengTo/Skills animation-systems
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/animation-systems/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add MengTo/Skills --skill animation-systems -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/MengTo/Skills --path agent-skills/web-design/animation-systems
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/animation-systems/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add MengTo/Skills --skill animation-systems -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/MengTo/Skills/tree/HEAD/agent-skills/web-design/animation-systems/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- create staggered entrance sequences for UI cards and text lines
- define consistent easing curves and duration tokens
- prevent layout reflows by restricting animations to transform and opacity
- handle accessibility by supporting prefers-reduced-motion

## Example prompts
- Add a Linear-style staggered entrance to this card grid.
- Create a hover state with lift and subtle shadow using transform.
- Generate a modal entrance in Framer Motion with reduced-motion support.

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: ac22fb6f27a7665c.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE ac22fb6f27a7665c
```text
---
name: animation-systems
description: Use when designing or implementing product-grade web motion like Stripe, Linear, Apple, and Vercel. Covers motion principles, easing/duration defaults, choreography patterns, scroll/hover interactions, performance, accessibility (reduced motion), and implementation guidance.
---

# Animation Systems (Stripe × Linear × Apple × Vercel)

This skill helps you ship **tasteful, product-grade motion**.
Not “more animation.”
**Better animation**: clarity, hierarchy, feedback, and delight—without jank.

---

## The goals (why motion exists)
Use animation to:
1) **Explain hierarchy** (what matters)
2) **Confirm action** (feedback)
3) **Guide attention** (where to look next)
4) **Maintain continuity** (spatial relationships)
5) **Add polish** (craft signals)

If an animation doesn’t serve one of these, delete it.

---

## The Stripe/Linear/Apple/Vercel style (shared traits)

### 1) Restraint
- Fewer animations, better chosen.
- One strong hero moment; the rest is supporting motion.

### 2) Clear choreography
- Primary element moves first.
- Secondary elements follow with small stagger.
- Motion establishes a “reading order.”

### 3) Physical but not cartoony
- Use easing that feels **human** (soft acceleration + gentle settle).
- Avoid bouncy defaults for serious product UI.

### 4) Texture + depth (subtle)
- Small parallax, soft shadows, blur fades, light beams.
- Avoid heavy 3D unless it’s the hero.

---

## Motion primitives (build these first)
Think in primitives you can reuse everywhere.

### A) Fade + rise (default entrance)
Use for: text blocks, cards, modals.
- Opacity: 0 → 1
- Y: 12–24px → 0
- Duration: 300–700ms depending on size

### B) Scale + fade (micro emphasis)
Use for: popovers, toasts, selected states.
- Scale: 0.98 → 1
- Opacity: 0 → 1

### C) Slide (navigation)
Use for: drawers, step transitions.
- Use transform translate; avoid animating layout.

### D) Morph / shared element (high craft)
Use for: tab indicators, expanding cards.
- Requires consistent geometry + measured layout.

---

## Defaults (practical numbers)
Use these as a starting system.

### Durations (rule of thumb)
- Micro (hover/press): **120–200ms**
- UI state change (toggle, select): **180–260ms**
- Small transitions (popover, toast): **220–320ms**
- Page section entrance: **400–800ms**
- Hero sequences: **800–1600ms** (with internal beats)

### Easing (safe set)
Pick a small set and reuse.
- UI: **ease-out** with gentle settle
- Emphasis: slightly stronger ease
- Entering: ease-out
- Exiting: ease-in (faster)

If implementing:
- Use your animation library’s “power2.out / expo.out” equivalents.
- Avoid elastic/bounce unless brand is playful.

### Stagger
- 40–90ms per element (text lines/cards)
- Use smaller stagger on mobile

---

## Choreography patterns
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE ac22fb6f27a7665c

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