/animation-motion-design

name: animation-motion-design
license: MIT
compatibility: "Claude Code 2.1.277+."
description: Animation patterns with Motion (formerly Framer Motion) and the View Transitions API. Use when implementing component animations, page transitions, micro-interactions, gesture-driven UIs, or prefers-reduced-motion support.
user-invocable: false
targets:
  - library: motion
    version: ">=13.4.6"
metadata:
  owner-agent: "frontend-ui-developer"
  category: document-asset-creation
  version: "1.0.0"
  author: "OrchestKit"
  complexity: "medium"
  tags: "animation, motion, framer-motion, view-transitions, micro-interactions, gestures, layout-animation, AnimatePresence, prefers-reduced-motion, spring-physics"
allowed-tools: "Read Glob Grep WebFetch WebSearch"
path_patterns: ["**/animation/**", "**/motion/**", "*.motion.*", "*.framer.*"]

Animation & Motion Design

Patterns for building performant, accessible animations using **Motion** (formerly Framer Motion, 18M+ weekly npm downloads) and the **View Transitions API** (cross-browser support in 2026). Covers layout animations, gesture interactions, exit transitions, micro-interactions, and motion accessibility.

Quick Reference

| Rule | File | Impact | When to Use | |------|------|--------|-------------| | Layout Animations | `rules/motion-layout.md` | HIGH | Shared layout transitions, FLIP animations, layoutId | | Gesture Interactions | `rules/motion-gestures.md` | HIGH | Drag, hover, tap with spring physics | | Exit Animations | `rules/motion-exit.md` | HIGH | AnimatePresence, unmount transitions | | View Transitions API | `rules/view-transitions-api.md` | HIGH | Page navigation, cross-document transitions | | Motion Accessibility | `rules/motion-accessibility.md` | CRITICAL | prefers-reduced-motion, cognitive load | | Motion Performance | `rules/motion-performance.md` | HIGH | 60fps, GPU compositing, layout thrash |

**Total: 6 rules across 3 categories**

Decision Table — Motion vs View Transitions API

| Scenario | Recommendation | Why | |----------|---------------|-----| | Component mount/unmount | Motion | AnimatePresence handles lifecycle | | Page navigation transitions | View Transitions API | Built-in browser support, works with any router | | Complex interruptible animations | Motion | Spring physics, gesture interruption | | Simple crossfade between pages | View Transitions API | Zero JS bundle cost | | Drag/reorder interactions | Motion | drag prop with layout animations | | Shared element across routes | View Transitions API | viewTransitionName CSS property | | Scroll-triggered animations | Motion | useInView, useScroll hooks | | Multi-step orchestrated sequences | Motion | staggerChildren, variants |

Quick Start

Motion — Component Animation

import { motion, AnimatePresence } from "motion/react"

const fadeInUp = {
  initial: { opacity: 0, y: 20 },
  animate: { opacity: 1, y: 0 },
  exit: { opacity: 0, y: -10 },
  transition: { type: "spring", stiffness: 300, damping: 24 },
}

function Card({ item }: { item: Item }) {
  return (
    <motion.div {...fadeInUp} layout layoutId={item.id}>
      {item.content}
    </motion.div>
  )
}

function CardList({ items }: { items: Item[] }) {
  return (
    <AnimatePresence mode="wait">
      {items.map((item) => (
        <Card key={item.id} item={item} />
      ))}
    </AnimatePresence>
  )
}

View Transitions API — Page Navigation

// React Router v7+ with View Transitions
import { Link, useNavigate } from "react-router"

function NavLink({ to, children }: { to: string; children: React.ReactNode }) {
  return <Link to={to} viewTransition>{children}</Link>
}

// CSS for the transition
// ::view-transition-old(root) { animation: fade-out 200ms ease; }
// ::view-transition-new(root) { animation: fade-in 200ms ease; }

Motion — Accessible by Default

import { useReducedMotion } from "motion/react"

function AnimatedComponent() {
  const shouldReduceMotion = useReducedMotion()

  return (
    <motion.div
      animate={{ x: 100 }}
      transition={shouldReduceMotion
        ? { duration: 0 }
        : { type: "spring", stiffness: 300, damping: 24 }
      }
    />
  )
}

Rule Details

Layout Animations (Motion)

FLIP-based layout animations with the `layout` prop and shared layout transitions via `layoutId`.

> **Load**: `rules/motion-layout.md`

Gesture Interactions (Motion)

Drag, hover, and tap interactions with spring physics and gesture composition.

> **Load**: `rules/motion-gestures.md`

Exit Animations (Motion)

AnimatePresence for animating components as they unmount from the React tree.

> **Load**: `rules/motion-exit.md`

View Transitions API

Browser-native page transitions using `document.startViewTransition()` and framework integrations.

> **Load**: `rules/view-transitions-api.md`

Motion Accessibility

Respecting user motion preferences and reducing cognitive load with motion sensitivity patterns.

> **Load**: `rules/motion-accessibility.md`

Motion Performance

GPU compositing, avoiding layout thrash, and keeping animations at 60fps.

> **Load**: `rules/motion-performance.md`

Key Principles

1. **60fps or nothing** — Only animate `transform` and `opacity` (composite properties). Never animate `width`, `height`, `top`, or `left`. 2. **Centralized presets** — Define animation variants in a shared file, not inline on every component. 3. **AnimatePresence for exits** — React unmounts instantly; wrap with AnimatePresence to animate out. 4. **Spring over duration** — Springs feel natural and are interruptible. Use `stiffness`/`damping`, not `duration`. 5. **Respect user preferences** — Always check `prefers-reduced-motion` and provide instant alternatives.

Performance Budget

| Metric | Target | Measurement | |--------|--------|-------------| | Transition duration | < 400ms | User perception threshold | | Animation properties | transform, opacity only | DevTools > Rendering > Paint fla