# Rive Interactive - State Machine-Based Vector Animation

## Overview

Rive is a state machine-based animation platform that enables designers to create interactive vector animations with complex logic and runtime interactivity. Unlike timeline-only animation tools (like Lottie), Rive supports state machines, input handling, and two-way data binding between application code and animations.

**Key Features**:
- State machine system for complex interactive logic
- ViewModel API for two-way data binding
- Input handling (boolean, number, trigger inputs)
- Custom events for animation-to-code communication
- Runtime property control (colors, strings, numbers, enums)
- Cross-platform support (Web, React, React Native, iOS, Android, Flutter)
- Small file sizes with vector graphics

**When to Use This Skill**:
- Creating UI animations with complex state transitions
- Building interactive animated components (buttons, toggles, loaders)
- Implementing game-like UI with state-driven animations
- Binding real-time data to animated visualizations
- Creating animations that respond to user input
- Working with designer-created animations requiring runtime control

**Alternatives**:
- **Lottie** (lottie-animations): For simpler timeline-based animations without state machines
- **Framer Motion** (motion-framer): For code-first React animations with spring physics
- **GSAP** (gsap-scrolltrigger): For timeline-based web animations with precise control


## Progressive Disclosure

This `SKILL.md` is the routing layer. Detailed recipes, examples, integration notes, and troubleshooting guidance live in `references/details.md` so they are loaded only when the task needs them.

Before producing concrete output, making a design recommendation, or debugging an implementation, load the relevant reference section below. Do not rely on memory for branch-specific APIs, examples, or caveats.

| Task branch | Read first |
| --- | --- |
| Core Concepts | `references/details.md#core-concepts` |
| Common Patterns | `references/details.md#common-patterns` |
| Integration Patterns | `references/details.md#integration-patterns` |
| Performance Optimization | `references/details.md#performance-optimization` |
| Common Pitfalls and Solutions | `references/details.md#common-pitfalls-and-solutions` |
| Resources | `references/details.md#resources` |
| Scripts | `references/details.md#scripts` |
| Assets | `references/details.md#assets` |

## Related Skills

- **lottie-animations**: For simpler timeline-based animations without state machines
- **motion-framer**: For code-first React animations with gestures
- **gsap-scrolltrigger**: For scroll-driven animations
- **spline-interactive**: For 3D interactive animations