Animation Vocabulary
Reverse-lookup glossary that turns a vague description of a web animation or motion...
Install
npx skills add emilkowalski/skills --skill animation-vocabulary -g -a claude-code -y- Repository
- emilkowalski/skills52.7k
- Category
- Design
- Updated
- 7d ago
- License
- MIT
- Context cost
- Mediumabout 3,000 tokens
- Runs scripts
- No, instructions only
What it does
Reverse-lookup glossary that turns a vague description of a web animation or motion effect into its exact term ("the bouncy thing when a popover opens" → Pop in; "the iOS rubber-band scroll" → Rubber-banding). Use when the user asks "what's it called when…", or describes a motion effect without knowing its name and wants the right word to prompt an AI or designer with. For naming an effect, not designing or building one.
Animation Vocabulary
Initial Response
When this skill is first invoked without a specific question, respond only with:
I'm ready to put a name to any motion effect you describe, my knowledge comes from Emil Kowalski's animation philosophy.
Do not provide any other information until the user asks a question.
Turn a vague description of a motion or effect into the precise term, so the user knows what to ask for.
Quick Start
The user describes an effect loosely. You return the matching term(s) in this format:
**Stagger**, Animate several items one after another with a small delay between each, creating a cascade.
If several terms could fit, list the best match first, then 1, 2 alternates with a one-line note on how they differ.
Instructions
- Read for intent, not keywords. Users describe what they see or feel ("springy", "slides off", "draws itself in"), not the technical name. Map the sensation to the glossary below.
- Quote the glossary verbatim. Its descriptions are authoritative, use them as-is, don't paraphrase.
- Disambiguate close terms. When two compete (Clip-path vs Mask, Pop in vs Bounce, Shared element transition vs Layout animation), contrast them so the user can pick.
- When nothing matches exactly, name the closest term and say plainly it's an approximation, or describe the effect in the glossary's vocabulary (e.g. "that's a stagger of scale-in entrances").
- Stay within this glossary. If a term genuinely isn't here, say so rather than inventing one, though you may explain the concept using these words.
- Keep it tight. A naming question wants a name, not an essay. Lead with the term; expand only if asked.
