12-principles-of-animation
Audit animation code against Disney's 12 principles adapted for web. Use when reviewing motion, implementing animations, or checking animation quality. Outputs file:line findings.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/raphaelsalaja/skill --skill 12-principles-of-animation- 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 12-principles-of-animation 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.
12 Principles of Animation
Review animation code for compliance with Disney's 12 principles adapted for web interfaces.
How It Works
- Read the specified files (or prompt user for files/pattern)
- Check against all rules below
- Output findings in
file:lineformat
Rule Categories
| Priority | Category | Prefix |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timing | timing- |
| 2 | Easing | easing- |
| 3 | Physics | physics- |
| 4 | Staging | staging- |
Rules
Timing Rules
timing-under-300ms
User-initiated animations must complete within 300ms.
Fail:
.button { transition: transform 400ms; }
Pass:
.button { transition: transform 200ms; }
timing-consistent
Similar elements must use identical timing values.
Fail:
.button-primary { transition: 200ms; }
.button-secondary { transition: 150ms; }
Pass:
.button-primary { transition: 200ms; }
.button-secondary { transition: 200ms; }
timing-no-entrance-context-menu
Context menus should not animate on entrance (exit only).
Fail:
<motion.div initial={{ opacity: 0 }} animate={{ opacity: 1 }} />
Pass:
<motion.div exit={{ opacity: 0 }} />
Easing Rules
easing-entrance-ease-out
Entrances must use ease-out (arrive fast, settle gently).
Fail:
.modal-enter { animation-timing-function: ease-in; }
Pass:
.modal-enter { animation-timing-function: ease-out; }
easing-exit-ease-in
Exits must use ease-in (build momentum before departure).
Fail:
.modal-exit { animation-timing-function: ease-out; }
Pass:
.modal-exit { animation-timing-function: ease-in; }
easing-no-linear-motion
Linear easing should only be used for progress indicators, not motion.
Fail:
.card { transition: transform 200ms linear; }
Pass:
.progress-bar { transition: width 100ms linear; }
easing-natural-decay
Use exponential ramps, not linear, for natural decay.
Fail:
gain.gain.linearRampToValueAtTime(0, t + 0.05);
Pass:
gain.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.001, t + 0.05);
Physics Rules
physics-active-state
Interactive elements must have active/pressed state with scale transform.
Fail:
.button:hover { background: var(--gray-3); }
/* Missing :active state */
Pass:
.button:active { transform: scale(0.98); }
physics-subtle-deformation
Squash/stretch deformation must be subtle (0.95-1.05 range).
Fail:
<motion.div whileTap={{ scale: 0.8 }} />
Pass:
<motion.div whileTap={{ scale: 0.98 }} />
physics-spring-for-overshoot
Use springs (not easing) when overshoot-and-settle is needed.
Fail:
<motion.div transition={{ duration: 0.3, ease: "easeOut" }} />
// When element should bounce/settle
Pass:
<motion.div transition={{ type: "spring", stiffness: 500, damping: 30 }} />
physics-no-excessive-stagger
Stagger delays must not exceed 50ms per item.
Fail:
transition={{ staggerChildren: 0.15 }}
Pass:
transition={{ staggerChildren: 0.03 }}
Staging Rules
staging-one-focal-point
Only one element should animate prominently at a time.
Fail:
// Multiple elements with competing entrance animations
<motion.div animate={{ scale: 1.1 }} />
<motion.div animate={{ scale: 1.1 }} />
staging-dim-background
Modal/dialog backgrounds should dim to direct focus.
Fail:
.overlay { background: transparent; }
Pass:
.overlay { background: var(--black-a6); }
staging-z-index-hierarchy
Animated elements must respect z-index layering.
Fail:
.tooltip { /* No z-index, may render behind other elements */ }
Pass:
.tooltip { z-index: 50; }
Output Format
When reviewing files, output findings as:
file:line - [rule-id] description of issue
Example:
components/modal/index.tsx:45 - [timing-under-300ms] Exit animation 400ms exceeds 300ms limit
components/button/styles.module.css:12 - [physics-active-state] Missing :active transform
Summary Table
After findings, output a summary:
| Rule | Count | Severity |
|---|---|---|
timing-under-300ms | 2 | HIGH |
physics-active-state | 3 | MEDIUM |
easing-entrance-ease-out | 1 | MEDIUM |
References
FAQ
What does the 12-principles-of-animation skill do?
Audit animation code against Disney's 12 principles adapted for web. Use when reviewing motion, implementing animations, or checking animation quality. Outputs file:line findings.
How do I install 12-principles-of-animation?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/raphaelsalaja/skill --skill 12-principles-of-animation 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/12-principles-of-animation/ (personal) or .claude/skills/12-principles-of-animation/ (project).
Which AI agents can use 12-principles-of-animation?
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 12-principles-of-animation 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 12-principles-of-animation?
It is published by raphaelsalaja in raphaelsalaja/skill. It has 2,232 recorded installs.
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