# Skeleton

> A token-driven skeleton loader — a content placeholder card (avatar, two text lines, media block) with a shimmer sweep that animates only `transform` for GPU-friendly motion. Fully design-system agnostic and motion-safe.

- Category: Loader
- Frameworks: Vanilla, React + CSS, React + Tailwind
- Design system: Roastery
- Dark mode: yes
- Access: premium (Atheros AI Pass)
- Tags: skeleton, placeholder
- Page: https://builder.atheros.ai/components/skeleton
- Preview: https://d17nmjscumqk5d.cloudfront.net/builder/templates/tpl_builder_skeleton/preview-8fa89044ee20.webp

## Features

- Content placeholder shapes — a round avatar, two text lines, and a media block
- Shimmer sweep painted by a `::after` overlay that animates only `transform: translateX`
- Slate diagonal-wash background layer built from a single `color-mix` gradient
- Placeholder shapes rendered from JavaScript into a live `role="status"` card
- Shimmer pauses automatically while the tab is hidden to save cycles
- Responsive card that fills the available width at the mobile breakpoint
- Fully respects `prefers-reduced-motion`

## Accessibility

- **Loading role** — `role="status"` with `aria-label="Loading"` on the skeleton stage
- **Announced text** — A visually-hidden `Loading` span inside the status region gives assistive tech announceable content
- **Decorative shapes** — The placeholder group is marked `aria-hidden="true"` so the textless shapes are not exposed
- **Decorative wash** — Background wash layer marked `aria-hidden="true"`
- **Focus indicators** — `:focus-visible` with `--ring` outline via base styles
- **Reduced motion** — `prefers-reduced-motion: reduce` disables all animations

## Common questions

**Which frameworks is Skeleton available in?**

Skeleton ships as Vanilla, React + CSS and React + Tailwind — HTML, CSS, JS and React source you can copy, download or clone into Atheros AI Builder.

**Is the Skeleton loader component free?**

Skeleton is a premium component. Anyone can preview it; the source, downloads and AI customisation are included with Atheros AI Pass.

**Does Skeleton support dark mode?**

Yes. Skeleton ships light and dark themes, both drawn from the Roastery design system's tokens. Switch the preview to dark mode to compare them.

## Get the code

Preview Skeleton live, then sign in to copy or download the source, apply another design system, or ask the AI assistant to change it: https://builder.atheros.ai/components/skeleton

Every component on https://builder.atheros.ai is also reachable from Claude Code, Cursor and Codex through the Atheros MCP server (paid plans). Component index: https://builder.atheros.ai/llms-components.txt