Makepad Animation Skill

> Version: makepad-widgets (dev branch) | Last Updated: 2026-01-19 > > Check for updates: https://crates.io/crates/makepad-widgets

You are an expert at Makepad animations. Help users by:

• Writing code: Generate animation code following the patterns below
• Answering questions: Explain states, transitions, timelines

When to Use

• You need to build or debug animations, transitions, hover states, or animator timelines in Makepad.
• The task involves animator, state changes, easing, keyframes, or visual interaction feedback.
• You want Makepad-specific animation patterns instead of generic Rust UI guidance.

Documentation

Refer to the local files for detailed documentation:

• ./references/animation-system.md - Complete animation reference

Advanced Patterns

For production-ready animation patterns, see the _base/ directory:

| Pattern | Description | |---------|-------------| | 06-animator-basics | Animator fundamentals | | 07-easing-functions | Easing and timing | | 08-keyframe-animation | Complex keyframes |

IMPORTANT: Documentation Completeness Check

Before answering questions, Claude MUST:

1. Read the relevant reference file(s) listed above
2. If file read fails or file is empty:

• Inform user: "本地文档不完整，建议运行 /sync-crate-skills makepad --force 更新文档"
• Still answer based on SKILL.md patterns + built-in knowledge

1. If reference file exists, incorporate its content into the answer

Key Patterns

1. Basic Hover Animation

rust
<Button> {
    text: "Hover Me"

    animator: {
        hover = {
            default: off

            off = {
                from: { all: Forward { duration: 0.15 } }
                apply: {
                    draw_bg: { color: #333333 }
                }
            }

            on = {
                from: { all: Forward { duration: 0.15 } }
                apply: {
                    draw_bg: { color: #555555 }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

2. Multi-State Animation

rust
<View> {
    animator: {
        hover = {
            default: off
            off = {
                from: { all: Forward { duration: 0.2 } }
                apply: { draw_bg: { color: #222222 } }
            }
            on = {
                from: { all: Forward { duration: 0.2 } }
                apply: { draw_bg: { color: #444444 } }
            }
        }

        pressed = {
            default: off
            off = {
                from: { all: Forward { duration: 0.1 } }
                apply: { draw_bg: { scale: 1.0 } }
            }
            on = {
                from: { all: Forward { duration: 0.1 } }
                apply: { draw_bg: { scale: 0.95 } }
            }
        }
    }
}

3. Focus State Animation

rust
<TextInput> {
    animator: {
        focus = {
            default: off

            off = {
                from: { all: Forward { duration: 0.2 } }
                apply: {
                    draw_bg: {
                        border_color: #444444
                        border_size: 1.0
                    }
                }
            }

            on = {
                from: { all: Forward { duration: 0.2 } }
                apply: {
                    draw_bg: {
                        border_color: #0066CC
                        border_size: 2.0
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

4. Disabled State

rust
<Button> {
    animator: {
        disabled = {
            default: off

            off = {
                from: { all: Snap }
                apply: {
                    draw_bg: { color: #0066CC }
                    draw_text: { color: #FFFFFF }
                }
            }

            on = {
                from: { all: Snap }
                apply: {
                    draw_bg: { color: #333333 }
                    draw_text: { color: #666666 }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

Animator Structure

| Property | Description | |----------|-------------| | animator | Root animation container | | {state} = | State definition (hover, pressed, focus, disabled) | | default: | Initial state value | | {value} = | State value definition (on, off, custom) | | from: | Transition timeline | | apply: | Properties to animate |

Timeline Types (Play Enum)

| Type | Description | |------|-------------| | Forward { duration: f64 } | Linear forward animation | | Snap | Instant change, no transition | | Reverse { duration: f64, end: f64 } | Reverse animation | | Loop { duration: f64, end: f64 } | Looping animation | | BounceLoop { duration: f64, end: f64 } | Bounce loop animation |

Easing Functions (Ease Enum)

rust
// Basic
Linear

// Quadratic
InQuad, OutQuad, InOutQuad

// Cubic
InCubic, OutCubic, InOutCubic

// Quartic
InQuart, OutQuart, InOutQuart

// Quintic
InQuint, OutQuint, InOutQuint

// Sinusoidal
InSine, OutSine, InOutSine

// Exponential
InExp, OutExp, InOutExp

// Circular
InCirc, OutCirc, InOutCirc

// Elastic
InElastic, OutElastic, InOutElastic

// Back
InBack, OutBack, InOutBack

// Bounce
InBounce, OutBounce, InOutBounce

// Custom
ExpDecay { d1: f64, d2: f64 }
Bezier { cp0: f64, cp1: f64, cp2: f64, cp3: f64 }
Pow { begin: f64, end: f64 }

Using Easing

rust
from: {
    all: Ease { duration: 0.3, ease: InOutQuad }
}

Common States

| State | Values | Trigger | |-------|--------|---------| | hover | on, off | Mouse enter/leave | | pressed / down | on, off | Mouse press/release | | focus | on, off | Focus gain/lose | | disabled | on, off | Widget enabled/disabled | | selected | on, off | Selection change |

Animatable Properties

Most draw_* shader uniforms can be animated:

• Colors: color, border_color, shadow_color
• Sizes: border_size, border_radius, shadow_radius
• Transforms: scale, rotation, offset
• Opacity: opacity

When Writing Code

1. Always set default: for initial state
2. Use Forward for smooth transitions
3. Use Snap for instant state changes (like disabled)
4. Keep durations short (0.1-0.3s) for responsive feel
5. Animate shader uniforms in draw_bg, draw_text, etc.

Rust API (AnimatorImpl Trait)

rust
pub trait AnimatorImpl {
    // Animate to state
    fn animator_play(&mut self, cx: &mut Cx, state: &[LiveId; 2]);

    // Cut to state (no animation)
    fn animator_cut(&mut self, cx: &mut Cx, state: &[LiveId; 2]);

    // Check current state
    fn animator_in_state(&self, cx: &Cx, state: &[LiveId; 2]) -> bool;
}

// Usage example
fn handle_event(&mut self, cx: &mut Cx, event: &Event, scope: &mut Scope) {
    match event.hits(cx, self.area()) {
        Hit::FingerHoverIn(_) => {
            self.animator_play(cx, id!(hover.on));
        }
        Hit::FingerHoverOut(_) => {
            self.animator_play(cx, id!(hover.off));
        }
        Hit::FingerDown(_) => {
            self.animator_play(cx, id!(pressed.on));
        }
        Hit::FingerUp(_) => {
            self.animator_play(cx, id!(pressed.off));
        }
        _ => {}
    }
}

When Answering Questions

1. States are independent - multiple can be active simultaneously
2. Animation applies properties when state reaches that value
3. from defines HOW to animate, apply defines WHAT to animate
4. Makepad tweens between old and new values automatically
5. Use id!(state.value) macro to reference animation states in Rust

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.