Web Three R3f

Web Three R3F

Three.js, React Three Fiber, Drei, Canvas/createRoot lifecycle, loaders, GLTF, useFrame, disposal, SSR/client boundaries, DPR, and browser proof.

Operating Contract

Use this skill as a compact router plus domain checklist. Load references only when the current task matches their condition. Do not cite local scrape paths, machine cache paths, or hidden source locations. Verify API details against the target repo's installed package versions before editing.

Source Order

1. Inspect the target repo's installed packages, framework/runtime versions, local design tokens, accessibility policy, and existing motion patterns.
2. Use the bundled references below for skill-specific gotchas and copied source excerpts.
3. Use official current docs/package source as API truth when local code or bundled notes are version-sensitive.

Decision Boundaries

• Use typegpu for typed WebGPU pipelines.
• Use expo-motion for Expo / React Native (Three.js / R3F on native).
• Use CSS 3D transforms only for simple DOM transforms.
• For cinematic look-dev / art-direction of an already-working scene (postprocessing, HDRI, tone mapping, lighting, camera choreography), route to r3f-scene-polish. This skill owns Canvas/createRoot lifecycle, loaders, disposal, SSR/client boundaries, and DPR.

Workflow

1. Inspect Three/R3F/Drei/React versions and asset pipeline.
2. Choose Canvas/R3F or plain Three renderer based on local ownership.
3. Reserve stable layout, DPR, fallback, and reduced-motion behavior.
4. Verify nonblank pixels, resize, interaction, asset errors, and cleanup.

Gotchas

• Undefined parent height causes blank canvases.
• React state inside useFrame causes frame-loop reconciliation.
• R3F auto-disposal does not cover every primitive or externally created object.

Bundled Resources

• references/r3f-scene-lifecycle.md - Canvas/createRoot and scene lifecycle. Read for Canvas props, custom root ownership, SSR/client boundaries, and resize.
• references/asset-loaders-and-fallbacks.md - GLTF/texture loaders and fallbacks. Read for useGLTF/useTexture, Suspense, decoder paths, and asset errors.
• references/three-disposal-performance.md - Three.js disposal and performance guide. Read for renderer cleanup, render targets, materials, textures, DPR, frameloop, and profiling.
• references/interaction-and-event-boundaries.md - R3F interaction and event boundaries. Read when a Three/R3F scene handles pointer, keyboard, scroll, controls, raycasting, or HTML overlays.
• references/asset-pipeline-compression.md - 3D asset pipeline, compression, and loader policy. Read when loading GLTF/GLB, textures, Draco/Meshopt/KTX2 assets, or remote 3D content.
• references/docs-drei-gltf-use-gltf.md - Copied source excerpt. Load only when exact upstream wording or API detail is needed.
• references/docs-r3f-canvas.md - Copied source excerpt. Load only when exact upstream wording or API detail is needed.
• references/docs-r3f-pitfalls.md - Copied source excerpt. Load only when exact upstream wording or API detail is needed.
• references/docs-r3f-scaling-performance.md - Copied source excerpt. Load only when exact upstream wording or API detail is needed.
• references/docs-three-disposal.md - Copied source excerpt. Load only when exact upstream wording or API detail is needed.
• references/docs-r3f-introduction.md - Copied source excerpt. Load only when exact upstream wording or API detail is needed.
• references/docs-three-creating-a-scene.md - Copied source excerpt. Load only when exact upstream wording or API detail is needed.
• references/r3f-field-guide.md - Copied source excerpt. Load only when exact upstream wording or API detail is needed.
• references/index.md - Complete reference inventory and routing summary.
• references/source-ledger.md - Source list, checked date, and copy policy.
• references/provenance.json - Machine-readable source and local-resource metadata.
• scripts/audit.mjs - Self-contained audit CLI; run doctor before scan when setup is unclear.
• assets/templates/web-three-r3f-audit-report.md - Audit response/report template.
• assets/templates/web-three-r3f-review-checklist.md - Manual review checklist.
• assets/examples/web-three-r3f-starter.tsx - Starter fixture/example for this skill.
• evals/trigger-queries.json - Trigger/near-miss eval set for description tuning.
• evals/evals.json - Task-quality evals with assertions.

Audit CLI

node scripts/audit.mjs doctor --root . --format json
node scripts/audit.mjs scan --root . --format markdown
node scripts/audit.mjs scan --root . --format json --output web-three-r3f-audit.json

Treat script findings as leads. Verify every finding against current code before changing behavior or reporting it as valid.

Closeout

Before finalizing, run the repo's focused validation command, this skill's audit CLI when relevant, and browser proof for the changed surface. Browser proof (optional tools — degrade and state what stays unverified if absent): drive the running scene with the playwright-cli skill — eval a <canvas> readback to prove non-blank pixels, resize for responsive behavior, exercise interaction, and screenshot/video the result; capture console/requests for asset or WebGL errors. For a fuller motion frame-budget / reduced-motion pass, use the design-motion-audit skill's runtime-verification reference. Report commands run, findings fixed, findings skipped with reasons, and residual risk.