universal-elements
Use when animating any UI element not covered by specific skills, or when applying general animation principles across multiple element types
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --skill universal-elements- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads universal-elements automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Universal Element Animation Principles
Apply Disney's 12 principles to any UI element for consistent, professional motion design.
Universal Application of Principles
1. Squash & Stretch
Any element that responds to interaction can squash (compress on impact/press) and stretch (extend on release). Keep it subtle: 2-5% maximum for UI.
2. Anticipation
Before any significant action, a brief preparatory motion signals what's coming. Scale down before scale up, pull back before push forward. 50-100ms duration.
3. Staging
Direct attention to the most important element. Use contrast in motion, size, color, z-index, and blur to create clear visual hierarchy.
4. Straight Ahead & Pose to Pose
Pose-to-pose for most UI: define start and end states clearly. Straight-ahead for organic, flowing animations like particles or organic shapes.
5. Follow Through & Overlapping Action
Nothing stops all at once. Child elements lag behind parents. Shadows settle after objects. Stagger related elements 20-50ms apart.
6. Ease In & Ease Out
The golden rule: never use linear for UI motion. Enter with ease-out, exit with ease-in, transition with ease-in-out.
7. Arcs
Natural motion follows curved paths. Add subtle vertical movement to horizontal transitions. Rotate while translating. Avoid robotic straight lines.
8. Secondary Action
Every primary action deserves supporting animation. Shadow changes, color shifts, icon rotations, glow effects reinforce without competing.
9. Timing
| Element Type | Fast | Normal | Slow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro (icons, buttons) | 50-100ms | 100-200ms | 200-300ms |
| Small (cards, inputs) | 150-200ms | 200-300ms | 300-400ms |
| Medium (modals, menus) | 200-250ms | 250-350ms | 350-500ms |
| Large (pages, overlays) | 300-400ms | 400-600ms | 600-800ms |
10. Exaggeration
Match animation intensity to context. Celebratory moments allow 20-30% exaggeration. Professional contexts keep it under 10%. Error states can be more dramatic.
11. Solid Drawing
Maintain visual consistency: border-radius ratios, shadow directions, spacing rhythms, typography scale. Nothing should distort or break during animation.
12. Appeal
The goal is delight without distraction. Smooth animations build trust. Snappy feedback feels responsive. The best animation is felt, not noticed.
CSS Foundation
/* Universal transition base */
* {
transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
}
/* Standard durations as custom properties */
:root {
--duration-fast: 100ms;
--duration-normal: 200ms;
--duration-slow: 350ms;
--ease-out: cubic-bezier(0.0, 0, 0.2, 1);
--ease-in: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 1, 1);
--ease-standard: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
--ease-bounce: cubic-bezier(0.68, -0.55, 0.27, 1.55);
}
/* Apply to any interactive element */
.interactive {
transition: transform var(--duration-normal) var(--ease-standard),
opacity var(--duration-normal) var(--ease-standard),
box-shadow var(--duration-normal) var(--ease-standard);
}
Key Properties (Any Element)
transform: universal positioning and scalingopacity: visibility transitionstransition: state changesanimation: complex sequencesbox-shadow: depth and emphasis
FAQ
What does the universal-elements skill do?
Use when animating any UI element not covered by specific skills, or when applying general animation principles across multiple element types
How do I install universal-elements?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --skill universal-elements in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/universal-elements/ (personal) or .claude/skills/universal-elements/ (project).
Which AI agents can use universal-elements?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is universal-elements safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains universal-elements?
It is published by dylantarre in dylantarre/animation-principles. It has 486 recorded installs.
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