/vue-best-practices

Transition Component Best Practices

Impact: MEDIUM - <Transition> animates entering/leaving of a single element or component. It is ideal for toggling UI states, swapping views, or animating one component at a time.

Task List

• Wrap a single element or component inside <Transition>
• Provide a key when switching between same element types
• Use mode="out-in" when you need sequential swaps
• Prefer transform and opacity for smooth animations

Use Transition for a Single Root Element

<Transition> only supports one direct child. Wrap multiple nodes in a single element or component.

BAD:

<template>
  <Transition name="fade">
    <h3>Title</h3>
    <p>Description</p>
  </Transition>
</template>

GOOD:

<template>
  <Transition name="fade">
    <div>
      <h3>Title</h3>
      <p>Description</p>
    </div>
  </Transition>
</template>

Force Transitions Between Same Element Types

Vue reuses the same DOM element when the tag type does not change. Add key so Vue treats it as a new element and triggers enter/leave.

BAD:

<template>
  <Transition name="fade">
    <p v-if="isActive">Active</p>
    <p v-else>Inactive</p>
  </Transition>
</template>

GOOD:

<template>
  <Transition name="fade" mode="out-in">
    <p v-if="isActive" key="active">Active</p>
    <p v-else key="inactive">Inactive</p>
  </Transition>
</template>

Use mode to Avoid Overlap During Swaps

When swapping components or views, use mode="out-in" to prevent both from being visible at the same time.

BAD:

<template>
  <Transition name="fade">
    <component :is="currentView" />
  </Transition>
</template>

GOOD:

<template>
  <Transition name="fade" mode="out-in">
    <component :is="currentView" :key="currentView" />
  </Transition>
</template>

Animate transform and opacity for Performance

Avoid layout-triggering properties such as height, margin, or top. Use transform and opacity for smooth, GPU-friendly transitions.

BAD:

.slide-enter-active,
.slide-leave-active {
  transition: height 0.3s ease;
}

.slide-enter-from,
.slide-leave-to {
  height: 0;
}

GOOD:

.slide-enter-active,
.slide-leave-active {
  transition: transform 0.3s ease, opacity 0.3s ease;
}

.slide-enter-from {
  transform: translateX(-12px);
  opacity: 0;
}

.slide-leave-to {
  transform: translateX(12px);
  opacity: 0;
}