# technical-constraints

A skill for when animation is capped by browser support, platform capabilities or technical requirements. It keeps the intent and drops what breaks.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 487 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/12-by-problem-type/technical-constraints/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2025-12-30
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/technical-constraints

## What it does

The skill sorts animation problems by principle and hands back a concrete swap. Runtime calculations too expensive? Pre-calculate and use CSS keyframes instead of JS frame-by-frame. Complex shapes causing render trouble? Simplify geometry, prefer CSS shapes over SVG paths, cut polygon counts in 3D.

Inside you get diagnosis blocks for timing, secondary action and staging, a quick-fix list, and a troubleshooting checklist. That checklist opens with listing target browsers and devices, checking feature support, and testing on the oldest supported browser. There is also a code pattern: feature detection through `Element.prototype` and `CSS.supports`, then either `element.animate()` or a final-state class, wrapped in `@supports` for progressive enhancement.

Platform tips are spelled out too: GIF or static images in email, `-webkit-` prefix checks on iOS Safari, reduced complexity on older Android and low-end devices. For constrained hardware the skill suggests `prefers-reduced-motion` as a proxy. Worth checking you actually ship a static fallback — without one, part of your audience gets an empty block.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

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

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

### Codex

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

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

### Cursor

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

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install dylantarre/animation-principles technical-constraints
```

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

### Gemini CLI

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

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --path skills/12-by-problem-type/technical-constraints
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill technical-constraints -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/12-by-problem-type/technical-constraints/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- fix animation that fails in a target browser
- fit animation inside a file size budget
- keep timing consistent across devices
- decide which animations to cut when the budget is tight
- add a static fallback for unsupported browsers

## Example prompts
- This animation breaks on old iPhone Safari — what should I simplify?
- Run the technical constraints checklist on this animation
- Rewrite this JS animation in CSS with a fallback

## 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: 5de6d6996233711d.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 5de6d6996233711d
````text
---
name: technical-constraints
description: Use when animation is limited by browser support, platform capabilities, or technical requirements
---

# Technical Constraints

Work within platform limitations while preserving animation intent.

## Problem Indicators
- Animation doesn't work on target browsers
- Mobile devices can't handle animation
- Framework limitations block implementation
- File size constraints (Lottie, sprites)
- Email/constrained environment needs

## Diagnosis by Principle

### Straight Ahead vs Pose-to-Pose
**Issue**: Runtime calculations too expensive
**Fix**: Pre-calculate animations. Use CSS keyframes (pose-to-pose) over JS frame-by-frame (straight ahead).

### Solid Drawing
**Issue**: Complex shapes cause rendering issues
**Fix**: Simplify geometry. Use CSS shapes over SVG paths. Reduce polygon counts in 3D.

### Timing
**Issue**: Consistent timing across devices
**Fix**: Use relative units. Test on slowest target device. Consider `requestAnimationFrame` for JS.

### Secondary Action
**Issue**: Budget only allows essential animation
**Fix**: Prioritize primary actions. Cut secondary animations first when constrained.

### Staging
**Issue**: Limited screen real estate
**Fix**: Animate in place. Use transforms that don't affect layout. Consider reduce-motion as default on constrained platforms.

## Quick Fixes

1. **Use CSS over JavaScript** - Better browser optimization
2. **Progressive enhancement** - Core function works without animation
3. **Feature detection** - Check capability before animating
4. **Fallback states** - Static alternative for unsupported browsers
5. **Lazy load animation libraries** - Don't block initial render

## Troubleshooting Checklist

- [ ] List target browsers/devices
- [ ] Check caniuse.com for feature support
- [ ] Test on oldest supported browser
- [ ] Measure animation impact on bundle size
- [ ] Verify fallback experience is acceptable
- [ ] Test with animation disabled
- [ ] Check framework animation capabilities
- [ ] Consider server-rendered alternatives (GIF, video)

## Code Pattern

```js
// Feature detection
const supportsAnimation =
  'animate' in Element.prototype &&
  CSS.supports('transform', 'translateZ(0)');

if (supportsAnimation) {
  element.animate(keyframes, options);
} else {
  element.classList.add('final-state');
}

// Progressive enhancement
@supports (animation: name) {
  .element {
````
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First 2405 of 2673 bytes. © dylantarre · MIT · https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles/tree/HEAD/skills/12-by-problem-type/technical-constraints/SKILL.md

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