# micro-interactions

A skill that tells your coding agent how to animate buttons, toggles, checkboxes, loading indicators and notification badges.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 1400 installs · ★ 124
- 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/01-by-domain/micro-interactions/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2025-12-30
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/micro-interactions

## What it does

The skill maps Disney's 12 animation principles onto small interface feedback moments. It ships a quick-reference table pairing each principle with an implementation, a breakdown of every principle, and ready CSS patterns for button states, a toggle switch and a checkbox. Your agent pulls timings and curves from there: 100–300ms for most interactions, `ease-out` for responsiveness, spring for toggles.

There is a timing reference covering hover, click, toggle, checkbox, focus ring, tooltip show and hide, badge update and form error. The best-practices list is blunt: every interactive element needs feedback, disabled states get no animation and reduced opacity, and functionality must not depend on animation.

One rule stands out — respect `prefers-reduced-motion`. If your project ignores it, this is a reason to check. The skill also suggests starting values like `scaleY: 0.95` on press or a 3–5px error shake, framed as advice rather than hard limits.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

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

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

### Codex

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

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

### Cursor

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

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install dylantarre/animation-principles micro-interactions
```

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

### Gemini CLI

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

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --path skills/01-by-domain/micro-interactions
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill micro-interactions -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/01-by-domain/micro-interactions/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- pick a duration and easing curve for a button press
- build a toggle with a springy overshoot
- draw a checkmark stroke inside a checkbox
- show a form error without a jarring jump
- make an icon react to its parent state change

## Example prompts
- animate the button states: hover, active, disabled
- build a toggle switch with a spring transition and slight overshoot
- add a checkmark draw animation and respect prefers-reduced-motion

## 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: a5d4d3ad805f5554.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE a5d4d3ad805f5554
```text
---
name: micro-interactions
description: Use when designing small UI feedback moments like button states, toggles, form validation, loading indicators, or notification badges.
---

# Micro-interaction Animation

Apply Disney's 12 animation principles to small UI feedback moments and interface details.

## Quick Reference

| Principle | Micro-interaction Implementation |
|-----------|--------------------------------|
| Squash & Stretch | Button press compression, toggle bounce |
| Anticipation | Hover state hints, pre-click feedback |
| Staging | Focus attention on active element |
| Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose | Progress vs state changes |
| Follow Through / Overlapping | Ripple effects, settling motion |
| Slow In / Slow Out | Snappy but smooth transitions |
| Arc | Toggle switches, circular menus |
| Secondary Action | Icons respond to parent state |
| Timing | 100-300ms for most interactions |
| Exaggeration | Clear but not distracting |
| Solid Drawing | Consistent transform behavior |
| Appeal | Delightful, purposeful feedback |

## Principle Applications

**Squash & Stretch**: Buttons compress slightly on press (scaleY: 0.95). Toggle thumbs squash when hitting bounds. Notification badges bounce on update. Keep subtle—this is UI, not cartoon.

**Anticipation**: Hover states prepare for click. Buttons lift/grow slightly before press animation. Draggable items elevate on grab start. Loading spinners wind up before spinning.

**Staging**: Active form field clearly distinguished. Error states demand attention. Success confirmations are unmistakable. One interaction feedback at a time.

**Straight Ahead vs Pose to Pose**: Progress indicators animate continuously (straight ahead). Checkboxes snap between states (pose to pose). Combine: loading indicator ends with state-change snap.

**Follow Through & Overlapping**: Ripple effects expand past tap point. Toggle switches overshoot then settle. Checkmarks draw with slight delay after box fills. Menu items stagger in.

**Slow In / Slow Out**: Quick ease-out for responsive feel. 100ms with ease-out feels instant. Avoid linear—looks broken. Snappy entrance, gentle settling.

**Arc**: Toggle switches travel in slight arc. Circular action buttons expand radially. Dropdown carets rotate smoothly. Menu items can follow curved path.

**Secondary Action**: Icon changes color as button state changes. Badge count updates with parent notification. Helper text appears as input focuses. Shadow responds to elevation.

**Timing**: Immediate feedback: 50-100ms. Standard transitions: 100-200ms. Complex micro-interactions: 200-300ms. Anything longer feels sluggish for small UI.
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE a5d4d3ad805f5554

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