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Interaction Design

Seth HobsonCommunityCreated by Seth Hobson

  • Skill
  • Tool integration
  • Software development
  • MIT
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From the author

Design and implement microinteractions, motion design, transitions, and user feedback patterns. Use when adding polish to UI interactions, implementing loading states, or creating delightful user experiences.
— the description by Seth Hobson

AutoGineer summary

Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author

This skill provides a framework for designing and implementing microinteractions, motion design, and state transitions to enhance user experience. It covers core principles of purposeful motion, timing guidelines, and easing functions, while offering practical implementation patterns for loading states, gestures, and feedback systems. The skill emphasizes performance, accessibility, and consistent animation logic within web applications.

What it does

  • Defines principles for purposeful motion and user feedback.
  • Provides timing and easing guidelines for consistent UI animations.
  • Offers implementation patterns for loading states and skeleton screens.
  • Demonstrates gesture-based interactions like swipe-to-dismiss.
  • Includes accessibility best practices for respecting user motion preferences.
  • Provides code patterns for common UI components using animation libraries.

When to use it

  • When adding microinteractions to improve user feedback.
  • When implementing smooth transitions between pages or components.
  • When designing loading states or skeleton screens.
  • When creating interactive elements like buttons, toggles, or gesture-based controls.
  • When ensuring UI animations are accessible and performant.

Advantages

  • Enhances usability through clear visual feedback.
  • Improves perceived performance with skeleton screens and smooth transitions.
  • Ensures consistent animation behavior across the application.
  • Promotes accessibility by respecting user motion settings.
  • Provides ready-to-use patterns for common interaction design challenges.

Usage examples

“Create a button that scales slightly when hovered and tapped.”
A React component using motion properties to provide tactile feedback on user interaction.
“Implement a loading state for a card component.”
A skeleton screen pattern that preserves layout structure while content is being fetched.
“How do I handle page transitions in my app?”
A wrapper component using AnimatePresence to animate content entry and exit.
“Make my toggle switch feel more responsive.”
A toggle component with spring-based motion for the switch handle and smooth color transitions.

Install

  1. Download the skill as a ZIP:

    https://mp-staging.autogineer.com/agent-skills/wshobson/interaction-design/download
  2. Unzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:

    mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip interaction-design.zip -d .agents/skills

Documentation by Seth Hobson

Interaction Design

Create engaging, intuitive interactions through motion, feedback, and thoughtful state transitions that enhance usability and delight users.

When to Use This Skill

  • Adding microinteractions to enhance user feedback

  • Implementing smooth page and component transitions

  • Designing loading states and skeleton screens

  • Creating gesture-based interactions

  • Building notification and toast systems

  • Implementing drag-and-drop interfaces

  • Adding scroll-triggered animations

  • Designing hover and focus states

Core Principles

1. Purposeful Motion

Motion should communicate, not decorate:

  • Feedback: Confirm user actions occurred

  • Orientation: Show where elements come from/go to

  • Focus: Direct attention to important changes

  • Continuity: Maintain context during transitions

2. Timing Guidelines
DurationUse Case
100-150msMicro-feedback (hovers, clicks)
200-300msSmall transitions (toggles, dropdowns)
300-500msMedium transitions (modals, page changes)
500ms+Complex choreographed animations
3. Easing Functions
/* Common easings */
--ease-out: cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1); /* Decelerate - entering */
--ease-in: cubic-bezier(0.55, 0, 1, 0.45); /* Accelerate - exiting */
--ease-in-out: cubic-bezier(0.65, 0, 0.35, 1); /* Both - moving between */
--spring: cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1); /* Overshoot - playful */

Quick Start: Button Microinteraction

import { motion } from "framer-motion";

export function InteractiveButton({ children, onClick }) {
  return (
    <motion.button
      onClick={onClick}
      whileHover={{ scale: 1.02 }}
      whileTap={{ scale: 0.98 }}
      transition={{ type: "spring", stiffness: 400, damping: 17 }}
      className="px-4 py-2 bg-blue-600 text-white rounded-lg"
    >
      {children}
    </motion.button>
  );
}

Interaction Patterns

1. Loading States

Skeleton Screens: Preserve layout while loading

function CardSkeleton() {
  return (
    <div className="animate-pulse">
      <div className="h-48 bg-gray-200 rounded-lg" />
      <div className="mt-4 h-4 bg-gray-200 rounded w-3/4" />
      <div className="mt-2 h-4 bg-gray-200 rounded w-1/2" />
    </div>
  );
}

Progress Indicators: Show determinate progress

function ProgressBar({ progress }: { progress: number }) {
  return (
    <div className="h-2 bg-gray-200 rounded-full overflow-hidden">
      <motion.div
        className="h-full bg-blue-600"
        initial={{ width: 0 }}
        animate={{ width: `${progress}%` }}
        transition={{ ease: "easeOut" }}
      />
    </div>
  );
}
2. State Transitions

Toggle with smooth transition:

function Toggle({ checked, onChange }) {
  return (
    <button
      role="switch"
      aria-checked={checked}
      onClick={() => onChange(!checked)}
      className={`
        relative w-12 h-6 rounded-full transition-colors duration-200
        ${checked ? "bg-blue-600" : "bg-gray-300"}
      `}
    >
      <motion.span
        className="absolute top-1 left-1 w-4 h-4 bg-white rounded-full shadow"
        animate={{ x: checked ? 24 : 0 }}
        transition={{ type: "spring", stiffness: 500, damping: 30 }}
      />
    </button>
  );
}
3. Page Transitions

Framer Motion layout animations:

import { AnimatePresence, motion } from "framer-motion";

function PageTransition({ children, key }) {
  return (
    <AnimatePresence mode="wait">
      <motion.div
        key={key}
        initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 20 }}
        animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
        exit={{ opacity: 0, y: -20 }}
        transition={{ duration: 0.3 }}
      >
        {children}
      </motion.div>
    </AnimatePresence>
  );
}
4. Feedback Patterns

Ripple effect on click:

function RippleButton({ children, onClick }) {
  const [ripples, setRipples] = useState([]);

  const handleClick = (e) => {
    const rect = e.currentTarget.getBoundingClientRect();
    const ripple = {
      x: e.clientX - rect.left,
      y: e.clientY - rect.top,
      id: Date.now(),
    };
    setRipples((prev) => [...prev, ripple]);
    setTimeout(() => {
      setRipples((prev) => prev.filter((r) => r.id !== ripple.id));
    }, 600);
    onClick?.(e);
  };

  return (
    <button onClick={handleClick} className="relative overflow-hidden">
      {children}
      {ripples.map((ripple) => (
        <span
          key={ripple.id}
          className="absolute bg-white/30 rounded-full animate-ripple"
          style={{ left: ripple.x, top: ripple.y }}
        />
      ))}
    </button>
  );
}
5. Gesture Interactions

Swipe to dismiss:

function SwipeCard({ children, onDismiss }) {
  return (
    <motion.div
      drag="x"
      dragConstraints={{ left: 0, right: 0 }}
      onDragEnd={(_, info) => {
        if (Math.abs(info.offset.x) > 100) {
          onDismiss();
        }
      }}
      className="cursor-grab active:cursor-grabbing"
    >
      {children}
    </motion.div>
  );
}

CSS Animation Patterns

Keyframe Animations
@keyframes fadeIn {
  from {
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translateY(10px);
  }
  to {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: translateY(0);
  }
}

@keyframes pulse {
  0%,
  100% {
    opacity: 1;
  }
  50% {
    opacity: 0.5;
  }
}

@keyframes spin {
  to {
    transform: rotate(360deg);
  }
}

.animate-fadeIn {
  animation: fadeIn 0.3s ease-out;
}
.animate-pulse {
  animation: pulse 2s ease-in-out infinite;
}
.animate-spin {
  animation: spin 1s linear infinite;
}
CSS Transitions
.card {
  transition:
    transform 0.2s ease-out,
    box-shadow 0.2s ease-out;
}

.card:hover {
  transform: translateY(-4px);
  box-shadow: 0 12px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
}

Accessibility Considerations

/* Respect user motion preferences */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  *,
  *::before,
  *::after {
    animation-duration: 0.01ms !important;
    animation-iteration-count: 1 !important;
    transition-duration: 0.01ms !important;
  }
}
function AnimatedComponent() {
  const prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia(
    "(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)",
  ).matches;

  return (
    <motion.div
      animate={{ opacity: 1 }}
      transition={{ duration: prefersReducedMotion ? 0 : 0.3 }}
    />
  );
}

Best Practices

  1. Performance First: Use transform and opacity for smooth 60fps

  2. Reduce Motion Support: Always respect prefers-reduced-motion

  3. Consistent Timing: Use a timing scale across the app

  4. Natural Physics: Prefer spring animations over linear

  5. Interruptible: Allow users to cancel long animations

  6. Progressive Enhancement: Work without JS animations

  7. Test on Devices: Performance varies significantly

Common Issues

  • Janky Animations: Avoid animating width, height, top, left

  • Over-animation: Too much motion causes fatigue

  • Blocking Interactions: Never prevent user input during animations

  • Memory Leaks: Clean up animation listeners on unmount

  • Flash of Content: Use will-change sparingly for optimization

Files

references/animation-libraries.md

Animation Libraries Reference

Framer Motion

The most popular React animation library with declarative API.

Basic Animations
import { motion, AnimatePresence } from "framer-motion";

// Simple animation
function FadeIn({ children }) {
  return (
    <motion.div
      initial={{ opacity: 0 }}
      animate={{ opacity: 1 }}
      exit={{ opacity: 0 }}
      transition={{ duration: 0.3 }}
    >
      {children}
    </motion.div>
  );
}

// Gesture animations
function InteractiveCard() {
  return (
    <motion.div
      whileHover={{ scale: 1.02, y: -4 }}
      whileTap={{ scale: 0.98 }}
      transition={{ type: "spring", stiffness: 400, damping: 17 }}
      className="p-6 bg-white rounded-lg shadow"
    >
      Hover or tap me
    </motion.div>
  );
}

// Keyframes animation
function PulseButton() {
  return (
    <motion.button
      animate={{
        scale: [1, 1.05, 1],
        boxShadow: [
          "0 0 0 0 rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5)",
          "0 0 0 10px rgba(59, 130, 246, 0)",
          "0 0 0 0 rgba(59, 130, 246, 0)",
        ],
      }}
      transition={{ duration: 2, repeat: Infinity }}
      className="px-4 py-2 bg-blue-600 text-white rounded"
    >
      Click me
    </motion.button>
  );
}
Layout Animations
import { motion, LayoutGroup } from "framer-motion";

// Shared layout animation
function TabIndicator({ activeTab, tabs }) {
  return (
    <div className="flex border-b">
      {tabs.map((tab) => (
        <button
          key={tab.id}
          onClick={() => setActiveTab(tab.id)}
          className="relative px-4 py-2"
        >
          {tab.label}
          {activeTab === tab.id && (
            <motion.div
              layoutId="activeTab"
              className="absolute bottom-0 left-0 right-0 h-0.5 bg-blue-600"
              transition={{ type: "spring", stiffness: 500, damping: 30 }}
            />
          )}
        </button>
      ))}
    </div>
  );
}

// Auto-layout reordering
function ReorderableList({ items, setItems }) {
  return (
    <Reorder.Group axis="y" values={items} onReorder={setItems}>
      {items.map((item) => (
        <Reorder.Item
          key={item.id}
          value={item}
          className="bg-white p-4 rounded-lg shadow mb-2 cursor-grab active:cursor-grabbing"
        >
          {item.title}
        </Reorder.Item>
      ))}
    </Reorder.Group>
  );
}
Orchestration
// Staggered children
const containerVariants = {
  hidden: { opacity: 0 },
  visible: {
    opacity: 1,
    transition: {
      staggerChildren: 0.1,
      delayChildren: 0.2,
    },
  },
};

const itemVariants = {
  hidden: { opacity: 0, y: 20 },
  visible: {
    opacity: 1,
    y: 0,
    transition: { duration: 0.3 },
  },
};

function StaggeredList({ items }) {
  return (
    <motion.ul variants={containerVariants} initial="hidden" animate="visible">
      {items.map((item) => (
        <motion.li key={item.id} variants={itemVariants}>
          {item.content}
        </motion.li>
      ))}
    </motion.ul>
  );
}
Page Transitions
import { AnimatePresence, motion } from "framer-motion";
import { useRouter } from "next/router";

const pageVariants = {
  initial: { opacity: 0, x: -20 },
  enter: { opacity: 1, x: 0 },
  exit: { opacity: 0, x: 20 },
};

function PageTransition({ children }) {
  const router = useRouter();

  return (
    <AnimatePresence mode="wait" initial={false}>
      <motion.div
        key={router.pathname}
        variants={pageVariants}
        initial="initial"
        animate="enter"
        exit="exit"
        transition={{ duration: 0.3 }}
      >
        {children}
      </motion.div>
    </AnimatePresence>
  );
}

GSAP (GreenSock)

Industry-standard animation library for complex, performant animations.

Basic Timeline
import { useRef, useLayoutEffect } from "react";
import gsap from "gsap";

function AnimatedHero() {
  const containerRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
  const titleRef = useRef<HTMLHeadingElement>(null);
  const subtitleRef = useRef<HTMLParagraphElement>(null);

  useLayoutEffect(() => {
    const ctx = gsap.context(() => {
      const tl = gsap.timeline({ defaults: { ease: "power3.out" } });

      tl.from(titleRef.current, {
        y: 50,
        opacity: 0,
        duration: 0.8,
      })
        .from(
          subtitleRef.current,
          {
            y: 30,
            opacity: 0,
            duration: 0.6,
          },
          "-=0.4", // Start 0.4s before previous ends
        )
        .from(".cta-button", {
          scale: 0.8,
          opacity: 0,
          duration: 0.4,
        });
    }, containerRef);

    return () => ctx.revert(); // Cleanup
  }, []);

  return (
    <div ref={containerRef}>
      <h1 ref={titleRef}>Welcome</h1>
      <p ref={subtitleRef}>Discover amazing things</p>
      <button className="cta-button">Get Started</button>
    </div>
  );
}
ScrollTrigger
import { useLayoutEffect, useRef } from "react";
import gsap from "gsap";
import { ScrollTrigger } from "gsap/ScrollTrigger";

gsap.registerPlugin(ScrollTrigger);

function ParallaxSection() {
  const sectionRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
  const imageRef = useRef<HTMLImageElement>(null);

  useLayoutEffect(() => {
    const ctx = gsap.context(() => {
      // Parallax image
      gsap.to(imageRef.current, {
        yPercent: -20,
        ease: "none",
        scrollTrigger: {
          trigger: sectionRef.current,
          start: "top bottom",
          end: "bottom top",
          scrub: true,
        },
      });

      // Fade in content
      gsap.from(".content-block", {
        opacity: 0,
        y: 50,
        stagger: 0.2,
        scrollTrigger: {
          trigger: sectionRef.current,
          start: "top 80%",
          end: "top 20%",
          scrub: 1,
        },
      });
    }, sectionRef);

    return () => ctx.revert();
  }, []);

  return (
    <section ref={sectionRef} className="relative overflow-hidden">
      <img ref={imageRef} src="/hero.jpg" alt="" className="absolute inset-0" />
      <div className="relative z-10">
        <div className="content-block">Block 1</div>
        <div className="content-block">Block 2</div>
      </div>
    </section>
  );
}
Text Animation
import { useLayoutEffect, useRef } from "react";
import gsap from "gsap";
import { SplitText } from "gsap/SplitText";

gsap.registerPlugin(SplitText);

function AnimatedHeadline({ text }) {
  const textRef = useRef<HTMLHeadingElement>(null);

  useLayoutEffect(() => {
    const split = new SplitText(textRef.current, {
      type: "chars,words",
      charsClass: "char",
    });

    gsap.from(split.chars, {
      opacity: 0,
      y: 50,
      rotateX: -90,
      stagger: 0.02,
      duration: 0.8,
      ease: "back.out(1.7)",
    });

    return () => split.revert();
  }, [text]);

  return <h1 ref={textRef}>{text}</h1>;
}

CSS Spring Physics

// spring.ts - Custom spring physics
interface SpringConfig {
  stiffness: number; // Higher = snappier
  damping: number; // Higher = less bouncy
  mass: number;
}

const presets: Record<string, SpringConfig> = {
  default: { stiffness: 170, damping: 26, mass: 1 },
  gentle: { stiffness: 120, damping: 14, mass: 1 },
  wobbly: { stiffness: 180, damping: 12, mass: 1 },
  stiff: { stiffness: 210, damping: 20, mass: 1 },
  slow: { stiffness: 280, damping: 60, mass: 1 },
  molasses: { stiffness: 280, damping: 120, mass: 1 },
};

function springToCss(config: SpringConfig): string {
  // Convert spring parameters to CSS timing function approximation
  const { stiffness, damping } = config;
  const duration = Math.sqrt(stiffness) / damping;
  const bounce = 1 - damping / (2 * Math.sqrt(stiffness));

  // Map to cubic-bezier (approximation)
  if (bounce <= 0) {
    return `cubic-bezier(0.25, 0.1, 0.25, 1)`;
  }
  return `cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1)`;
}

Web Animations API

Native browser animation API for simple animations.

function useWebAnimation(
  ref: RefObject<HTMLElement>,
  keyframes: Keyframe[],
  options: KeyframeAnimationOptions,
) {
  useEffect(() => {
    if (!ref.current) return;

    const animation = ref.current.animate(keyframes, options);

    return () => animation.cancel();
  }, [ref, keyframes, options]);
}

// Usage
function SlideIn({ children }) {
  const elementRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);

  useWebAnimation(
    elementRef,
    [
      { transform: "translateX(-100%)", opacity: 0 },
      { transform: "translateX(0)", opacity: 1 },
    ],
    {
      duration: 300,
      easing: "cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1)",
      fill: "forwards",
    },
  );

  return <div ref={elementRef}>{children}</div>;
}

View Transitions API

Native browser API for page transitions.

// Check support
const supportsViewTransitions = "startViewTransition" in document;

// Simple page transition
async function navigateTo(url: string) {
  if (!document.startViewTransition) {
    window.location.href = url;
    return;
  }

  document.startViewTransition(async () => {
    await fetch(url);
    // Update DOM
  });
}

// Named elements for morphing
function ProductCard({ product }) {
  return (
    <Link href={`/product/${product.id}`}>
      <img
        src={product.image}
        style={{ viewTransitionName: `product-${product.id}` }}
      />
    </Link>
  );
}

// CSS for view transitions
/*
::view-transition-old(root) {
  animation: fade-out 0.25s ease-out;
}

::view-transition-new(root) {
  animation: fade-in 0.25s ease-in;
}

::view-transition-group(product-*) {
  animation-duration: 0.3s;
}
*/

Performance Tips

GPU Acceleration
/* Properties that trigger GPU acceleration */
.animated-element {
  transform: translateZ(0); /* Force GPU layer */
  will-change: transform, opacity; /* Hint to browser */
}

/* Only animate transform and opacity for 60fps */
.smooth {
  transition:
    transform 0.3s ease,
    opacity 0.3s ease;
}

/* Avoid animating these (cause reflow) */
.avoid {
  /* Don't animate: width, height, top, left, margin, padding */
}
Reduced Motion
function useReducedMotion() {
  const [prefersReduced, setPrefersReduced] = useState(false);

  useEffect(() => {
    const mq = window.matchMedia("(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)");
    setPrefersReduced(mq.matches);

    const handler = (e: MediaQueryListEvent) => setPrefersReduced(e.matches);
    mq.addEventListener("change", handler);
    return () => mq.removeEventListener("change", handler);
  }, []);

  return prefersReduced;
}

// Usage
function AnimatedComponent() {
  const prefersReduced = useReducedMotion();

  return (
    <motion.div
      initial={{ opacity: 0, y: prefersReduced ? 0 : 20 }}
      animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
      transition={{ duration: prefersReduced ? 0 : 0.3 }}
    >
      Content
    </motion.div>
  );
}

Requirements and compatibility

Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta

“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.

Security

No issues found by our static scan· No issues found

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Attribution and licence

Created by
Seth Hobson
Publisher
Seth Hobson (Community)
Source
wshobson/agents · plugins/ui-design/skills/interaction-design · commit 4bde316
Licence
MIT License (redistribution allowed)
  • LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
  • ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
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