Motion (Framer Motion) — Skill

Name: motion Purpose: Implement smooth, accessible animations with motion/react in React. Use this skill whenever adding animations, gestures, or layout transitions.

Applies when: Using motion/react (motion, AnimatePresence, useScroll, etc.). Do not use when: No animations are needed or the component is strictly server-rendered.

Rules

• Client-only boundary: Motion requires 'use client'; keep client islands small.
• Start simple: Begin with opacity/translate before adding spring physics.
• Use the right tool: AnimatePresence for enter/exit, layout for layout, whileHover/whileTap for gestures.
• Respect reduced motion: Use useReducedMotion().
• Bundle discipline: Use LazyMotion for larger motion surfaces.

Workflow

1. Identify the UX purpose (feedback, transition, focus).
2. Add the smallest 'use client' boundary.
3. Implement enter/exit or layout transitions correctly.
4. Respect reduced motion preferences.
5. Check performance and bundle size.

Checklists

Implementation checklist

• 'use client' only where needed
• Reduced motion behavior defined
• AnimatePresence wraps conditional UI
• Layout transitions use layout

Review checklist

• Animations don’t re-run on every render
• Motion code doesn’t expand the client tree unnecessarily

Minimal examples

Enter/exit

"use client";

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

export function Toast({
  open,
  children,
}: {
  open: boolean;
  children: React.ReactNode;
}) {
  return (
    <AnimatePresence>
      {open ? (
        <motion.div
          initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 8 }}
          animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
          exit={{ opacity: 0, y: 8 }}
          transition={{ duration: 0.18 }}
        >
          {children}
        </motion.div>
      ) : null}
    </AnimatePresence>
  );
}

Layout animation

"use client";

import { motion } from "motion/react";

export function Expander({ open }: { open: boolean }) {
  return (
    <motion.div layout className="overflow-hidden rounded-md border p-3">
      <div className="font-medium">Title</div>
      {open ? <div className="mt-2 text-sm">More content...</div> : null}
    </motion.div>
  );
}

Reduced motion

"use client";

import { motion, useReducedMotion } from "motion/react";

export function FadeIn({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
  const reduce = useReducedMotion();
  return (
    <motion.div
      initial={reduce ? false : { opacity: 0, y: 6 }}
      animate={reduce ? { opacity: 1 } : { opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
      transition={{ duration: 0.2 }}
    >
      {children}
    </motion.div>
  );
}

Common mistakes / pitfalls

• Unmounting without AnimatePresence (exit animations never run)
• Animating layout without layout
• Putting Motion in a huge client tree
• Animating large lists without virtualization