# Gsap Optimise

> Production recipes for GSAP performance optimisation. Apply after building animations (gsap-animate) to audit and improve performance. Companion to official gsap-performance skill (API reference). Triggers: GSAP performance, animation optimise, animation slow, jank, 60fps, memory leak, tween cleanup, force3D, will-change, quickTo, quickSetter, overwrite, layout thrashing, GPU compositing, animation audit, gsap optimise, animation performance review. Non-triggers: Not for building new animations (use gsap-animate and sub-skills). Not for testing (use gsap-test). Apply this skill AFTER animations are built. Outcome: Audits and improves existing GSAP animations for 60fps — GPU acceleration, high-frequency tools, anti-patterns, and a component-level performance checklist.

- Skill: `iotron/gsap-optimise` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add iotron/gsap-optimise`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/iotron/gsap-optimise/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Web & Frontend
- Author: iotron (https://skillmd.com/u/iotron)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/iotron/gsap-optimise

---


# GSAP Optimise — Performance Pass

> **Flow**: gsap-setup → gsap-animate → **gsap-optimise** → gsap-test
> **References**: See **gsap-performance** skill for extended API details.

> **Companion**: For general GSAP performance guidance, invoke **gsap-performance**. This skill covers optimisation recipes and audit checklists only. Requires: `greensock/gsap-skills`

---

## 1. GPU Acceleration

```js
// GOOD — GPU-composited
gsap.to(el, { x: 100, y: 50, rotation: 45, scale: 1.2, opacity: 0.8 })
// BAD — triggers layout/reflow
gsap.to(el, { left: 100, top: 50, width: '120%', height: 200 })
```

| force3D | Behaviour | Use when |
|---------|-----------|----------|
| `"auto"` | 3D during tween, 2D after | Default — usually best |
| `true` | Stay 3D permanently | Elements animated repeatedly |
| `false` | Always 2D | Upscaled images (avoids blur) |

---

## 2. will-change

CSS `will-change: transform` is fine for always-animating elements (scroll-driven, looping). For interactive/repeated animations, manage in JS:

```js
self.add('applyEffect', (el) => {
  el.style.willChange = 'transform'
  gsap.to(el, { scale: 1.03, ...HOVER_IN })
})
self.add('resetEffect', (el) => {
  gsap.to(el, { scale: 1, ...HOVER_OUT,
    onComplete: () => { el.style.willChange = 'auto' }
  })
})
```

---

## 3. High-Frequency Animations

See **gsap-performance** skill for quickTo, quickSetter, and piping API reference. Use the fastest tool that fits:
- Tweened cursor tracking → `gsap.quickTo()`
- Per-frame value piping → `gsap.quickSetter()`
- CSS custom properties → direct `style.setProperty()`

---

## 4. Lazy Rendering

GSAP defers first-render writes to end of tick — avoids layout thrashing. Default `lazy: true`.

When multiple `from()`/`fromTo()` target the same property, set `immediateRender: false` on later ones.

---

## 5. Anti-Patterns

```js
// BAD: bare gsap.to inside event handler — orphaned tween
el.addEventListener('mousemove', () => gsap.to(el, { x: 10 }))

// BAD: rapid fire without overwrite — tween pile-up
onMouseMove = () => gsap.to(el, { x: pos, duration: 0.3 })

// BAD: layout properties — triggers reflow
gsap.to(el, { width: 200, height: 100, left: 50 })

// BAD: transformPerspective on every frame (set once with gsap.set)
// BAD: permanent will-change on interactive elements
// BAD: new timeline every call (create once, play/reverse)
// BAD: no reduced motion check
// BAD: markers left in production
```

---

## 6. Performance Audit Checklist

**GPU & Rendering**
- [ ] Only transform/opacity animated (no left/top/width/height)
- [ ] `force3D: true` on repeatedly animated elements
- [ ] `will-change` managed: CSS for scroll-driven, JS for interactive
- [ ] `autoAlpha` used instead of `opacity`

**High-Frequency**
- [ ] `overwrite: 'auto'` on all rapid-fire tweens
- [ ] `quickTo()` for repeated animated updates
- [ ] `quickSetter()` for per-frame value piping

**ScrollTrigger**
- [ ] `ScrollTrigger.batch()` for large grids (50+ elements)
- [ ] `once: true` on one-shot triggers
- [ ] `invalidateOnRefresh: true` on responsive layouts
- [ ] `ScrollTrigger.refresh()` after dynamic content

**Cleanup**
- [ ] All tweens inside `gsap.context()` or `ctx.add()`
- [ ] `ctx.revert()` in `onUnmounted`
- [ ] Timelines created once and played/reversed

**Accessibility**
- [ ] `prefers-reduced-motion` respected via `gsap.matchMedia()`
- [ ] Content visible without JavaScript

---

## References

- See **gsap-performance** skill for extended API: quickTo, quickSetter, pipe, ScrollTrigger.batch, scrub tuning, matchMedia, registerEffect, ticker/lagSmoothing, autoAlpha, force3D, lazy rendering internals, context cleanup internals