⚡ Next.js Loading Skeleton

Transform slow-loading pages into delightful user experiences.

This skill automatically generates beautiful loading states for Next.js App Router using shadcn/ui Skeleton components. Say goodbye to blank screens and hello to instant visual feedback that keeps users engaged.

🎯 When to Use

Auto-activates when you mention:

• Creating Next.js App Router pages with data fetching
• Keywords: "loading", "skeleton", "placeholder", "Suspense"
• Building dashboards, tables, lists, or profile pages
• Pages with slow API calls or database queries
• Any layout that needs instant visual feedback

Perfect for:

• 📊 Dashboards with multiple data widgets
• 📋 Data tables with server-side pagination
• 👤 Profile pages with user information
• 📝 Forms with validation and API calls
• 🛍️ E-commerce pages with product data

🚀 Quick Setup

1. Install Required Dependencies

Essential - Skeleton Component:

npx shadcn@latest add skeleton

Recommended for Complete Experience:

npx shadcn@latest add card table avatar badge button

2. That's It! 🎉

The skill will automatically generate loading states when you create pages with data fetching.

🏗️ Standard Patterns

File Structure

app/
├── dashboard/
│   ├── page.tsx      # Your main page
│   └── loading.tsx    # Auto-generated loading state

Core Principles

• ✅ Mirror Real Layout - Skeleton matches actual page structure
• ✅ Smooth Animation - Uses animate-pulse for natural feel
• ✅ Realistic Variations - Different widths/heights for authenticity
• ✅ Focus on Essentials - Highlight main content, ignore minor details

🎨 Skeleton Patterns Library

Basic Elements

// Text line
<Skeleton className="h-4 w-[250px] rounded-full" />

// Card container
<Skeleton className="h-[125px] w-full rounded-lg" />

// Circle (avatar/image)
<Skeleton className="h-10 w-10 rounded-full" />

// Button
<Skeleton className="h-10 w-[100px] rounded-md" />

Complex Layouts

// Table row
<div className="flex gap-4">
  <Skeleton className="h-4 w-[100px]" />
  <Skeleton className="h-4 w-[200px]" />
  <Skeleton className="h-4 w-[150px]" />
  <Skeleton className="h-4 w-[100px]" />
</div>

// Card with header and content
<div className="space-y-3">
  <Skeleton className="h-6 w-[150px]" />
  <Skeleton className="h-4 w-full" />
  <Skeleton className="h-4 w-[200px]" />
</div>

📋 Ready-to-Use Examples

📊 Dashboard Layout

import { Skeleton } from "@/components/ui/skeleton"

export default function Loading() {
  return (
    <div className="space-y-6 animate-pulse">
      {/* Stats Cards */}
      <div className="grid gap-4 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4">
        {Array.from({ length: 4 }).map((_, i) => (
          <Skeleton key={i} className="h-[125px] w-full rounded-lg" />
        ))}
      </div>
      
      {/* Recent Activity */}
      <div className="space-y-3">
        <Skeleton className="h-6 w-[200px]" />
        {Array.from({ length: 5 }).map((_, i) => (
          <Skeleton key={i} className="h-16 w-full rounded-lg" />
        ))}
      </div>
    </div  )
}

👤 User Profile

import { Skeleton } from "@/components/ui/skeleton"

export default function Loading() {
  return (
    <div className="space-y-6 animate-pulse">
      {/* Profile Header */}
      <div className="flex items-center gap-4">
        <Skeleton className="h-20 w-20 rounded-full" />
        <div className="space-y-2">
          <Skeleton className="h-6 w-[200px]" />
          <Skeleton className="h-4 w-[150px]" />
          <Skeleton className="h-4 w-[250px]" />
        </div>
      </div>
      
      {/* Content Grid */}
      <div className="grid gap-6 md:grid-cols-2">
        <Skeleton className="h-[200px] w-full rounded-lg" />
        <Skeleton className="h-[200px] w-full rounded-lg" />
      </div>
    </div>
  )
}

📋 Data Table with Search

import { Skeleton } from "@/components/ui/skeleton"

export default function Loading() {
  return (
    <div className="space-y-4 animate-pulse">
      {/* Search and Actions */}
      <div className="flex gap-4">
        <Skeleton className="h-10 w-[300px]" />
        <Skeleton className="h-10 w-[100px]" />
        <Skeleton className="h-10 w-[120px]" />
      </div>
      
      {/* Table Rows */}
      <div className="space-y-2">
        {Array.from({ length: 8 }).map((_, i) => (
          <div key={i} className="flex gap-4 items-center">
            <Skeleton className="h-8 w-8 rounded-full" />
            <Skeleton className="h-4 w-[100px]" />
            <Skeleton className="h-4 w-[200px]" />
            <Skeleton className="h-4 w-[150px]" />
            <Skeleton className="h-8 w-[80px] rounded-md" />
          </div>
        ))}
      </div>
    </div>
  )
}

🛠️ Advanced Features

Script-Based Generation (Token Saver)

For complex layouts, use the Python script to save tokens:

python scripts/generate-loading.py "dashboard with 4 stat cards and recent users table"

Responsive Design

Skeletons automatically adapt to your responsive grid:

<div className="grid gap-4 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4">
  {/* Skeletons will match your responsive breakpoints */}
</div>

Performance Tips

• ✅ Lightweight - Only CSS animations, no JavaScript overhead
• ✅ GPU Accelerated - Uses transform for smooth 60fps animations
• ✅ Accessibility - Screen readers announce loading state
• ✅ SEO Friendly - Search engines understand loading states

🎯 Best Practices

Do's ✅

• Match Real Content - Skeleton should mirror actual layout
• Use Consistent Spacing - Follow your design system
• Add Micro-interactions - Subtle pulse animations
• Consider Mobile - Responsive skeletons for all devices

Don'ts ❌

• Overcomplicate - Keep skeletons simple and clean
• Ignore Hierarchy - Maintain visual importance
• Forget Accessibility - Include loading announcements
• Skip Testing - Test with real data loading times

🚀 Installation

# Install via marketplace
npx skills add akashp1712/skills --skill next-loading-skeleton

# Install shadcn/ui skeleton (required)
npx shadcn@latest add skeleton

# Start creating pages - the skill activates automatically!