
locomotive-scroll
Comprehensive skill for Locomotive Scroll smooth scrolling library with parallax effects, viewport detection, and scroll-driven animations. Use this skill when implementing smooth scrolling experiences, creating parallax effects, building scroll-triggered animations, or developing immersive scrolling websites. Triggers on tasks involving Locomotive Scroll, smooth scrolling, parallax, scroll detection, scroll events, sticky elements, horizontal scrolling, or GSAP ScrollTrigger integration. Integrates with GSAP for advanced scroll-driven animations.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/freshtechbro/claudedesignskills --skill locomotive-scroll- 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 locomotive-scroll 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.
Locomotive Scroll
Comprehensive guide for implementing smooth scrolling, parallax effects, and scroll-driven animations using Locomotive Scroll.
Overview
Locomotive Scroll is a JavaScript library that provides:
- Smooth scrolling: Hardware-accelerated smooth scroll with customizable easing
- Parallax effects: Element-level speed control for depth
- Viewport detection: Track when elements enter/exit viewport
- Scroll events: Monitor scroll progress for animation synchronization
- Sticky elements: Pin elements within defined boundaries
- Horizontal scrolling: Support for horizontal scroll layouts
When to use Locomotive Scroll:
- Building immersive landing pages with parallax
- Creating smooth, Apple-style scroll experiences
- Implementing scroll-triggered animations
- Developing narrative/storytelling websites
- Adding depth and motion to long-form content
Trade-offs:
- Scroll-hijacking can impact accessibility (provide disable option)
- Performance overhead on low-end devices (detect and disable)
- Mobile touch scrolling feels different (test extensively)
- Fixed positioning requires workarounds
Installation
npm install locomotive-scroll
// ES6
import LocomotiveScroll from 'locomotive-scroll';
import 'locomotive-scroll/dist/locomotive-scroll.css';
// Or via CDN
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/locomotive-scroll/dist/locomotive-scroll.min.css">
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/locomotive-scroll/dist/locomotive-scroll.min.js"></script>
Core Concepts
1. HTML Structure
Every Locomotive Scroll implementation requires specific data attributes:
<!-- Scroll container (required) -->
<div data-scroll-container>
<!-- Scroll sections (optional, improves performance) -->
<div data-scroll-section>
<!-- Tracked elements -->
<h1 data-scroll>Basic detection</h1>
<!-- Parallax element -->
<div data-scroll data-scroll-speed="2">
Moves faster than scroll
</div>
<!-- Sticky element -->
<div data-scroll data-scroll-sticky>
Sticks within section
</div>
<!-- Element with ID for tracking -->
<div data-scroll data-scroll-id="hero">
Accessible via JavaScript
</div>
<!-- Call event trigger -->
<div data-scroll data-scroll-call="fadeIn">
Triggers custom event
</div>
</div>
</div>
2. Initialization
const scroll = new LocomotiveScroll({
el: document.querySelector('[data-scroll-container]'),
smooth: true,
lerp: 0.1, // Smoothness (0-1, lower = smoother)
multiplier: 1, // Speed multiplier
class: 'is-inview', // Class added to visible elements
repeat: false, // Repeat in-view detection
offset: [0, 0] // Global trigger offset [bottom, top]
});
3. Data Attributes
| Attribute | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
data-scroll | Enable detection | data-scroll |
data-scroll-speed | Parallax speed | data-scroll-speed="2" |
data-scroll-direction | Parallax axis | data-scroll-direction="horizontal" |
data-scroll-sticky | Sticky positioning | data-scroll-sticky |
data-scroll-target | Sticky boundary | data-scroll-target="#section" |
data-scroll-offset | Trigger offset | data-scroll-offset="20%" |
data-scroll-repeat | Repeat detection | data-scroll-repeat |
data-scroll-call | Event trigger | data-scroll-call="myFunction" |
data-scroll-id | Unique identifier | data-scroll-id="hero" |
data-scroll-class | Custom class | data-scroll-class="is-visible" |
Common Patterns
1. Basic Smooth Scrolling
import LocomotiveScroll from 'locomotive-scroll';
const scroll = new LocomotiveScroll({
el: document.querySelector('[data-scroll-container]'),
smooth: true
});
<div data-scroll-container>
<div data-scroll-section>
<h1>Smooth scrolling enabled</h1>
</div>
</div>
2. Parallax Effects
<!-- Slow parallax -->
<div data-scroll data-scroll-speed="0.5">
Moves slower than scroll (background effect)
</div>
<!-- Fast parallax -->
<div data-scroll data-scroll-speed="3">
Moves faster than scroll (foreground effect)
</div>
<!-- Reverse parallax -->
<div data-scroll data-scroll-speed="-2">
Moves in opposite direction
</div>
<!-- Horizontal parallax -->
<div data-scroll data-scroll-speed="2" data-scroll-direction="horizontal">
Moves horizontally
</div>
3. Viewport Detection and Callbacks
// Track scroll progress
scroll.on('scroll', (args) => {
console.log(args.scroll.y); // Current scroll position
console.log(args.speed); // Scroll speed
console.log(args.direction); // Scroll direction
// Access specific element progress
if (args.currentElements['hero']) {
const progress = args.currentElements['hero'].progress;
console.log(`Hero progress: ${progress}`); // 0 to 1
}
});
// Call events
scroll.on('call', (value, way, obj) => {
console.log(`Event triggered: ${value}`);
// value = data-scroll-call attribute value
// way = 'enter' or 'exit'
// obj = {id, el}
});
<div data-scroll data-scroll-id="hero">Hero section</div>
<div data-scroll data-scroll-call="playVideo">Video section</div>
4. Sticky Elements
<!-- Stick within parent section -->
<div data-scroll-section>
<div data-scroll data-scroll-sticky>
I stick while section is in view
</div>
</div>
<!-- Stick with specific target -->
<div id="sticky-container">
<div data-scroll data-scroll-sticky data-scroll-target="#sticky-container">
I stick within #sticky-container
</div>
</div>
5. Programmatic Scrolling
// Scroll to element
scroll.scrollTo('#target-section');
// Scroll to top
scroll.scrollTo('top');
// Scroll to bottom
scroll.scrollTo('bottom');
// Scroll with options
scroll.scrollTo('#target', {
offset: -100, // Offset in pixels
duration: 1000, // Duration in ms
easing: [0.25, 0.0, 0.35, 1.0], // Cubic bezier
disableLerp: true, // Disable smooth lerp
callback: () => console.log('Scrolled!')
});
// Scroll to pixel value
scroll.scrollTo(500);
6. Horizontal Scrolling
const scroll = new LocomotiveScroll({
el: document.querySelector('[data-scroll-container]'),
smooth: true,
direction: 'horizontal'
});
<div data-scroll-container>
<div data-scroll-section style="display: flex; width: 300vw;">
<div>Section 1</div>
<div>Section 2</div>
<div>Section 3</div>
</div>
</div>
7. Mobile Responsiveness
const scroll = new LocomotiveScroll({
el: document.querySelector('[data-scroll-container]'),
smooth: true,
// Tablet settings
tablet: {
smooth: true,
breakpoint: 1024
},
// Smartphone settings
smartphone: {
smooth: false, // Disable on mobile for performance
breakpoint: 768
}
});
Integration with GSAP ScrollTrigger
Locomotive Scroll and GSAP ScrollTrigger work together for advanced animations:
import LocomotiveScroll from 'locomotive-scroll';
import { gsap } from 'gsap';
import { ScrollTrigger } from 'gsap/ScrollTrigger';
gsap.registerPlugin(ScrollTrigger);
const locoScroll = new LocomotiveScroll({
el: document.querySelector('[data-scroll-container]'),
smooth: true
});
// Sync Locomotive Scroll with ScrollTrigger
locoScroll.on('scroll', ScrollTrigger.update);
ScrollTrigger.scrollerProxy('[data-scroll-container]', {
scrollTop(value) {
return arguments.length
? locoScroll.scrollTo(value, 0, 0)
: locoScroll.scroll.instance.scroll.y;
},
getBoundingClientRect() {
return {
top: 0,
left: 0,
width: window.innerWidth,
height: window.innerHeight
};
},
pinType: document.querySelector('[data-scroll-container]').style.transform
? 'transform'
: 'fixed'
});
// GSAP animation with ScrollTrigger
gsap.to('.fade-in', {
scrollTrigger: {
trigger: '.fade-in',
scroller: '[data-scroll-container]',
start: 'top bottom',
end: 'top center',
scrub: true
},
opacity: 1,
y: 0
});
// Update ScrollTrigger when Locomotive updates
ScrollTrigger.addEventListener('refresh', () => locoScroll.update());
ScrollTrigger.refresh();
Instance Methods
const scroll = new LocomotiveScroll();
// Lifecycle
scroll.init(); // Reinitialize
scroll.update(); // Refresh element positions
scroll.destroy(); // Clean up
scroll.start(); // Resume scrolling
scroll.stop(); // Pause scrolling
// Navigation
scroll.scrollTo(target, options);
scroll.setScroll(x, y);
// Events
scroll.on('scroll', callback);
scroll.on('call', callback);
scroll.off('scroll', callback);
Performance Optimization
- Use
data-scroll-sectionto segment long pages:
<div data-scroll-container>
<div data-scroll-section>Section 1</div>
<div data-scroll-section>Section 2</div>
<div data-scroll-section>Section 3</div>
</div>
-
Limit parallax elements - Too many can impact performance
-
Disable on mobile if performance is poor:
smartphone: { smooth: false }
- Update on resize:
window.addEventListener('resize', () => {
scroll.update();
});
- Destroy when not needed:
scroll.destroy();
Common Pitfalls
1. Fixed Positioning Issues
Problem: position: fixed elements break with smooth scroll
Solution: Use data-scroll-sticky instead or add fixed elements outside container:
<!-- Fixed nav outside container -->
<nav style="position: fixed;">Navigation</nav>
<div data-scroll-container>
<!-- Page content -->
</div>
2. Images Not Lazy Loading
Problem: All images load at once
Solution: Integrate with lazy loading:
<img data-scroll data-src="image.jpg" class="lazy">
scroll.on('call', (func) => {
if (func === 'lazyLoad') {
// Trigger lazy load
}
});
3. Scroll Position Not Updating
Problem: Dynamic content doesn't update scroll positions
Solution: Call update() after DOM changes:
// After adding content
addDynamicContent();
scroll.update();
4. Accessibility Concerns
Problem: Screen readers and keyboard navigation broken
Solution: Provide disable option:
const prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches;
const scroll = new LocomotiveScroll({
smooth: !prefersReducedMotion
});
5. Memory Leaks
Problem: Scroll instance not cleaned up on route changes (SPAs)
Solution: Always destroy on unmount:
// React example
useEffect(() => {
const scroll = new LocomotiveScroll();
return () => scroll.destroy();
}, []);
6. Z-Index Fighting
Problem: Parallax elements overlap incorrectly
Solution: Set explicit z-index on parallax layers:
[data-scroll-speed] {
position: relative;
z-index: var(--layer-depth);
}
Related Skills
- gsap-scrolltrigger: Advanced scroll-driven animations (use together)
- barba-js: Page transitions with Locomotive Scroll integration
- scroll-reveal-libraries: Simpler alternative for basic fade-in effects
- react-three-fiber: Scroll-driven 3D scenes (sync with Locomotive events)
- motion-framer: Alternative scroll animations in React
Resources
- Scripts:
generate_config.py- Configuration generator,integration_helper.py- GSAP integration code - References:
api_reference.md- Complete API,gsap_integration.md- GSAP ScrollTrigger patterns - Assets:
starter_locomotive/- Complete starter template with examples
FAQ
What does the locomotive-scroll skill do?
Comprehensive skill for Locomotive Scroll smooth scrolling library with parallax effects, viewport detection, and scroll-driven animations. Use this skill when implementing smooth scrolling experiences, creating parallax effects, building scroll-triggered animations, or developing immersive scrolling websites. Triggers on tasks involving Locomotive Scroll, smooth scrolling, parallax, scroll detection, scroll events, sticky elements, horizontal scrolling, or GSAP ScrollTrigger integration. Integrates with GSAP for advanced scroll-driven animations.
How do I install locomotive-scroll?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/freshtechbro/claudedesignskills --skill locomotive-scroll 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/locomotive-scroll/ (personal) or .claude/skills/locomotive-scroll/ (project).
Which AI agents can use locomotive-scroll?
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 locomotive-scroll 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 locomotive-scroll?
It is published by freshtechbro in freshtechbro/claudedesignskills. It has 2,565 recorded installs.
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