interaction-design

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---
name: interaction-design
description: 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.
---

# 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

| Duration  | Use Case                                  |
| --------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| 100-150ms | Micro-feedback (hovers, clicks)           |
| 200-300ms | Small transitions (toggles, dropdowns)    |
| 300-500ms | Medium transitions (modals, page changes) |
| 500ms+    | Complex choreographed animations          |

### 3. Easing Functions

```css
/* 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

```tsx
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

```tsx
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

```tsx
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**:

```tsx
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**:

```tsx
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 }}