J3W1 / DESIGN SYSTEM

Skeleton

Static layout placeholders with a named loading status.

stable · LIGHT DOM · 1.1.0

Light DOM retains static content, native semantics, label relationships and host composition without duplicating controls.

Standalone example ↗Copy file manifest Canonical JSON Vue gallery ↗Prepare an agent kit →

Live variants

default

Loading project details…

<j3w1-skeleton id="example-skeleton-default"><div class="skeleton" aria-busy="true"><p role="status">Loading project details…</p><div class="skeleton-block" aria-hidden="true"></div><div class="skeleton-block skeleton-short" aria-hidden="true"></div></div></j3w1-skeleton>

Install and register

Use the exact version. If npm publication is pending, install the release tarball from the installation guide.

npm install --save-exact @j3w1/ui@1.1.0

import '@j3w1/ui/tokens.css';
import '@j3w1/ui/styles/skeleton.css';
import '@j3w1/ui/register/skeleton';

Insert the maintained markup above after loading these imports. Its native children provide accessible names and form behavior; the empty custom tag alone does not create a control.

Vue SFC, React, Astro and plain HTML integration →

Copy the complete implementation

npx --package=@j3w1/ui@1.1.0 j3w1-ui copy skeleton --out ./vendor/j3w1/skeleton

The CLI verifies every file before writing and refuses overwrites. Serve the output over HTTP and open index.html. Keep its modules, CSS, tokens and licence notices together.

Public API

attributes

Name	Type / signature	Meaning
`disabled`	`CustomEvent`	Disable the native controls owned by this instance.
`loading`	`CustomEvent`	Mark the primary control busy and prevent duplicate activation.

properties

Name	Type / signature	Meaning
`disabled`	`boolean`	Delegates disabled state to native children.
`name`	`string`	Native control name; application form keys remain explicit.

methods

Name	Type / signature	Meaning
`refresh`	`(): void`	Reconnect behavior after replacing native child structure.
`focus`	`(options?: FocusOptions): void`	Focus the first usable native control.

events

Name	Type / signature	Meaning

Dependencies and verification

Registered components: none. Style dependencies: none.

Package presence establishes an available implementation. Actual passes depend on the tested artifact and environment. Read specification execution evidence; read packed-consumer evidence; inspect the complete state matrix.

Full implementation manifest, API and token dependency closure

Canonical specification

Purpose

Reserve approximate layout space while a named region loads. Decorative blocks are hidden from accessibility APIs. A separate status describes loading. The skeleton is static and never shimmers.

Anatomy

status: Text names what is loading.
blocks: Decorative square placeholders retain approximate dimensions.

States

State	Presentation	Non-colour channel
default	Static decorative blocks.	Named loading status.
loading	Raised surface blocks; no opacity fade.	aria-busy on the region.
reduced-motion	Same static presentation.	No information depends on movement.

Keyboard

Tab: No new tab stops or focus capture.

Accessibility

Apply aria-busy to the region being updated and provide a concise status. Decorative blocks are aria-hidden. Do not remove the focused control merely to show a skeleton. Replacement content must keep a sensible reading order.

Portability

Wrap labels and actions without changing source order. Use logical spacing in RTL. Preserve native target sizes at both densities; only bounded data regions may scroll horizontally. Use equivalent native semantics and approved roles; record any unsupported behavior as a mapping deviation. The host owns application data, persistence, permissions and services.

Non-examples

Unlabelled controls, color-only status, drag-only operations, hidden required instructions, stolen focus or an invented service success.