# attention-direction

Guides viewer focus across animation frames and UI scenes using classic motion principles. It helps structure visual hierarchy and eliminate competing motion.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 540 installs · ★ 129
- Author: dylantarre
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles/tree/HEAD/skills/02-by-thinking-style/attention-direction/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2025-12-30
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/attention-direction

## What it does

This skill adapts core animation principles to guide viewer gaze through visual scenes. Viewers can only track one focal point at a time. The instructions define an explicit sequence: establish where the eye starts, trace the movement path across the screen, and land on the primary subject.

Stillness also guides the eye. Every frame needs processing time before the next transition. When elements fight for attention, the skill directs you to reduce secondary motion and heighten contrast on the main element. Without deciding on the single most critical element beforehand, the focus rules cannot function: technique never fixes an undefined focal point.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill attention-direction -a claude-code
```

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

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill attention-direction -a codex
```

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

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill attention-direction -a cursor
```

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install dylantarre/animation-principles attention-direction
```

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

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill attention-direction -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --path skills/02-by-thinking-style/attention-direction
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill attention-direction -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/dylantarre/animation-principles/tree/HEAD/skills/02-by-thinking-style/attention-direction/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- map intentional eye paths through animated sequences
- eliminate competing movement between foreground and background
- highlight key UI elements using contrast and isolation
- fix scenes where important actions get lost in noise

## Example prompts
- Review this landing hero animation and map the eye path across all keyframes
- The modal entrance feels chaotic. Apply attention-direction rules to tone down secondary motion
- Adjust anticipation and staging for the submit button click state

## 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: d536d025c07f4b86.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE d536d025c07f4b86
```text
---
name: attention-direction
description: Use when controlling where the audience looks—composing shots, choreographing action, revealing information, or any situation requiring clear visual hierarchy and focus management.
---

# Attention Direction

Think like a magician controlling where the audience looks. Animation is misdirection and direction. You decide what matters, then make it impossible to miss—while hiding what shouldn't be seen yet.

## Core Mental Model

Before animating any scene, ask: **Where should the eye go, and in what order?**

Audiences can only look at one thing at a time. Your job is to guide their attention through the frame and through time. Every element either supports focus or competes with it.

## The 12 Principles Through Focus

**Staging** — The foundation of attention direction. Clear silhouettes. Uncluttered compositions. Important elements separated from background. Staging serves focus.

**Timing** — Attention follows movement. Motion against stillness commands the eye. Strategic timing controls when things get noticed. Stillness is also a tool.

**Anticipation** — Attention setup. Before the important thing, direct eyes to where it will happen. Anticipation is a spotlight warming up before the main act.

**Secondary Action** — Supporting, not competing. Secondary elements should enhance focus on primary action, not steal attention. The backup singer shouldn't upstage the lead.

**Follow Through & Overlapping Action** — Attention carries momentum. Where one motion ends, the eye expects the next to begin. Use follow-through to guide gaze through sequences.

**Exaggeration** — Emphasis through amplification. Important elements are bigger, faster, more contrasted. Exaggeration says "look here." Restraint says "this can wait."

**Squash & Stretch** — Visual attention-grabbers. Impact frames (squash) and speed lines (stretch) create pops of visual interest that capture the eye.

**Arcs** — Eye paths. The audience's gaze follows arcs of motion. Design movement paths that lead attention where you want it to land.

**Slow In & Slow Out** — Attention ramps. Ease-in gives time to find the action. Ease-out gives time to process. Control pacing of comprehension.

**Solid Drawing** — Hierarchy through form. Important elements have more dimensional presence. Background elements are flatter, less detailed. Volume commands attention.

**Appeal** — The eye seeks appeal. Attractive elements draw focus naturally. Use appeal strategically—the most appealing thing in frame gets looked at first.

**Straight Ahead & Pose to Pose** — Planning attention (pose to pose) ensures focus hits are intentional. Spontaneous discovery (straight ahead) might need attention refinement afterward.

## Practical Application

**Attention Tools:**
```
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