page-transitions — Claude Code skill: route and modal animation

---
name: page-transitions
description: Use when implementing route changes, view transitions, modal opens/closes, or navigation animation in web and mobile applications.
---

# Page Transition Animation

Apply Disney's 12 animation principles to route changes, view transitions, and navigation patterns.

## Quick Reference

| Principle | Page Transition Implementation |
|-----------|-------------------------------|
| Squash & Stretch | Entering page elastic effect |
| Anticipation | Exit animation before enter |
| Staging | Hero elements bridge views |
| Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose | Shared element vs crossfade |
| Follow Through / Overlapping | Content settles after nav |
| Slow In / Slow Out | Asymmetric enter/exit easing |
| Arc | Slide transitions with curve |
| Secondary Action | Background, nav state changes |
| Timing | 200-500ms total transition |
| Exaggeration | Reserved for emphasis moments |
| Solid Drawing | Consistent spatial model |
| Appeal | Smooth, oriented navigation |

## Principle Applications

**Squash & Stretch**: Incoming pages can have subtle elastic settle. Modal sheets bounce slightly on full open. Pull-to-navigate stretches before triggering.

**Anticipation**: Current page begins exit before new page enters. Slight fade or scale prepares for change. Navigation indicator updates before page swaps.

**Staging**: Shared/hero elements maintain context across views. Common elements (nav, footer) stay stable. New content area receives transition focus.

**Straight Ahead vs Pose to Pose**: Shared element transitions morph continuously (straight ahead). Crossfades swap between discrete states (pose to pose). Choose based on content relationship.

**Follow Through & Overlapping**: Page content settles after initial position. Staggered content entry—header, then body, then footer. Images load with subtle fade after container.

**Slow In / Slow Out**: Exit: ease-in (accelerate away). Enter: ease-out (decelerate in). Combined: ease-in-out for shared elements. Never linear—feels broken.

**Arc**: Slide transitions can curve slightly. Stack navigation implies z-depth. Circular reveals expand from trigger point.

**Secondary Action**: Header updates title during transition. Bottom nav indicator moves. Background color shifts. Scroll position resets with transition.

**Timing**: Quick transitions: 200-300ms. Standard: 300-400ms. Complex: 400-500ms. Modal/sheet: 250-350ms. Back navigation often faster than forward.

**Exaggeration**: Save exaggeration for key moments—onboarding, achievement. Regular navigation should be smooth, not theatrical. Users navigate frequently.

**Solid Drawing**: Maintain consistent spatial metaphor. If pages stack, maintain z-order. If pages slide, direction should be consistent. Users build mental model from transitions.

**Appeal**: Transitions should feel helpful, not impressive. Fast, smooth, oriented. Users should understand where they came from and went to.

## Transition Patterns

### Crossfade (Default)
```css
.page-exit {
    opacity: 1;
}
.page-exit-active {
    opacity: 0;
    transition: opacity 200ms ease-in;
}
.page-enter {
    opacity: 0;
}
.page-enter-active {
    opacity: 1;
    transition: opacity 200ms ease-out;
}
```

### Slide (Hierarchical)
```css
/* Forward navigation */
.page-enter {
    transform: translateX(100%);
}
.page-enter-active {
    transform: translateX(0);
    transition: transform 300ms ease-out;
}
.page-exit-active {
    transform: translateX(-30%);
    transition: transform 300ms ease-in;
}

/* Back navigation - reversed */
.page-enter {
    transform: translateX(-30%);
}
.page-exit-active {
    transform: translateX(100%);
}
```

### Shared Element (Hero)
```javascript
// View Transitions API
document.startViewTransition(() => {
    updateDOM();
});

// CSS for specific element
.hero-image {
    view-transition-name: hero;
}
::view-transition-old(hero),
::view-transition-new(hero) {
    animation-duration: 300ms;
}
```

## Timing Reference

| Transition Type | Duration | Exit | Enter |
|----------------|----------|------|-------|
| Crossfade | 200-300ms | ease-in | ease-out |
| Slide forward | 300-400ms | ease-in | ease-out |
| Slide back | 250-350ms | ease-in | ease-out |
| Modal open | 250-350ms | — | ease-out |
| Modal close | 200-300ms | ease-in | — |
| Shared element | 300-400ms | n/a | ease-in-out |
| Tab switch | 150-200ms | instant | ease-out |

## Navigation Patterns

| Pattern | Transition | Direction |
|---------|------------|-----------|
| Drill-down (list→detail) | Slide left / shared element | Right = forward |
| Tab bar | Fade / slide | Horizontal |
| Bottom sheet | Slide up | Vertical |
| Modal | Scale + fade | Z-axis |
| Back button | Reverse of forward | Left = back |

## Performance

1. Use `transform` and `opacity` only
2. Hardware acceleration: `will-change: transform`
3. Reduce motion: instant transitions
4. Test on slow devices—transitions must not block
5. View Transitions API: native performance