Understanding the View Transitions API

The View Transitions API is a new web platform feature that enables smooth, animated transitions between different states or pages in your web application. It works for both single-page applications (SPAs) and multi-page applications (MPAs).

What Are View Transitions?

View transitions provide a way to create smooth animations when the DOM changes. Instead of abrupt page changes, users see smooth fade, slide, or custom animations.

Key Benefits

• Improved user experience with smooth transitions
• Better perceived performance
• Native browser support (no libraries needed)
• Works with both SPA and MPA architectures

Basic Usage

Here's how to use the View Transitions API in JavaScript:

if (document.startViewTransition) {
  document.startViewTransition(() => {
    updateDOM();
  });
} else {
  updateDOM();
}

Customizing Transitions with CSS

You can customize the animation using CSS:

::view-transition-old(root),
::view-transition-new(root) {
  animation-duration: 0.5s;
}

::view-transition-old(root) {
  animation-name: fade-out;
}

::view-transition-new(root) {
  animation-name: fade-in;
}

Browser Support

As of 2024, the View Transitions API is supported in modern Chromium-based browsers. For broader compatibility, always include a fallback for browsers that don't support it yet.

Real-World Applications

The View Transitions API is perfect for:

• Navigation between pages
• Modal dialogs and overlays
• Tab switching
• Image galleries
• Filter and sort animations

By using the View Transitions API, you can create more engaging and polished web experiences that feel native and responsive.