---

name: universal-patterns description: Use when creating any animation type - provides foundational timing, easing, and principle application that applies to all motion in interfaces.

Universal Animation Patterns

Apply Disney's 12 principles as baseline defaults for any animation.

Core Timing Scale

Universal Easing Library

Copy:root {
  /* Standard easings */
  --ease-out: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1);        /* Entrances */
  --ease-in: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 1, 1);         /* Exits */
  --ease-in-out: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);   /* State changes */

  /* Spring easings */
  --ease-spring: cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1);  /* Overshoot */
  --ease-bounce: cubic-bezier(0.68, -0.55, 0.27, 1.55); /* Playful */
}

The 12 Principles Quick Reference

1. Squash & Stretch: Scale 0.95-1.05 range for organic feel
2. Anticipation: 2-3px reverse movement or 50ms pause before action
3. Staging: Animate toward user attention, clear visual hierarchy
4. Straight Ahead vs Pose-to-Pose: Define keyframes, plan states
5. Follow Through: Overshoot by 2-5%, settle back
6. Slow In/Slow Out: Always ease, never linear (except spinners)
7. Arcs: Combine X+Y movement, natural paths
8. Secondary Action: Layer 2-3 properties max (opacity + transform + shadow)
9. Timing: Match duration to distance/importance
10. Exaggeration: Subtle for UI (under 10% deviation)
11. Solid Drawing: Maintain visual consistency during motion
12. Appeal: Motion should feel helpful, not performative

Base Animation Classes

Copy/* Standard entrance */
.animate-in {
  animation: fade-in 250ms var(--ease-out) forwards;
}

/* Standard exit */
.animate-out {
  animation: fade-out 200ms var(--ease-in) forwards;
}

/* State transition */
.animate-state {
  transition: all 200ms var(--ease-in-out);
}

@keyframes fade-in {
  from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(10px); }
  to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
}

@keyframes fade-out {
  from { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
  to { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(-10px); }
}

Universal Rules

1. 100ms Response Time: User actions must trigger visible change within 100ms
2. Under 400ms for UI: Functional animations shouldn't exceed 400ms
3. Reduce Motion: Always provide prefers-reduced-motion alternative
4. GPU Properties: Use only transform and opacity for smooth 60fps
5. Exit < Enter: Exits 20-30% faster than entrances

Accessibility Default

Copy@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  *, *::before, *::after {
    animation-duration: 0.01ms !important;
    animation-iteration-count: 1 !important;
    transition-duration: 0.01ms !important;
  }
}

Decision Tree

1. Is element entering? → Use ease-out, 200-300ms
2. Is element exiting? → Use ease-in, 150-250ms
3. Is element changing state? → Use ease-in-out, 150-250ms
4. Is it continuous? → Use linear (rotation) or ease-in-out (pulse)
5. Is it responding to gesture? → Use ease-out with overshoot, under 200ms

When uncertain, start with: 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1)