Skill

scrolly-sveltekit

Builds scroll-driven narrative experiences (scrollytelling) in SvelteKit 5 with Svelte 5 runes. Uses sticky backgrounds, IntersectionObserver for steps, image/video/map sections, fades, and text overlays.

Svelte

Typescript

frontend

npx claudepluginhub buriedsignals/skills --plugin storytelling

Tool Access

This skill uses the workspace's default tool permissions.

Preview

A comprehensive guide for building scroll-driven narrative experiences using SvelteKit 5 and Svelte 5's runes.

Supporting Assets

references/HeroVisualization.sveltereferences/MapScrolly.sveltereferences/NoticeMosaic.sveltereferences/ScrollyHelper.sveltereferences/ScrollySection.sveltereferences/ScrollyTextBox.sveltereferences/VideoScrollyVisualization.svelte

SKILL.md

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Stats

Parent Repo Stars14

Parent Repo Forks1

Last CommitFeb 27, 2026

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Scrollytelling in SvelteKit

A comprehensive guide for building scroll-driven narrative experiences using SvelteKit 5 and Svelte 5's runes.

Quick Start

<script>
  import ScrollySection from '$lib/components/scrolly/ScrollySection.svelte';
  import MyVisualization from './MyVisualization.svelte';

  let activeStep = $state(0);

  const steps = [
    { text: 'First narrative point' },
    { text: 'Second narrative point' },
    { text: 'Third narrative point' }
  ];
</script>

<ScrollySection bind:activeStep={activeStep} {steps}>
  {#snippet children({ activeStep })}
    <MyVisualization {activeStep} />
  {/snippet}
</ScrollySection>

Core Architecture

The Scrolly Pattern

Scrollytelling uses a sticky background + scrolling foreground pattern:

┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│     Sticky Visual Layer         │  ← position: sticky, z-index: 1
│     (image/video/map/viz)       │     Stays fixed while content scrolls
│                                 │
│   ┌─────────────────────────┐   │
│   │    Text Box (step 2)    │   │  ← Text track overlays visuals
│   └─────────────────────────┘   │     z-index: 2
│                                 │
└─────────────────────────────────┘

Key principle: The visual layer uses position: sticky to stay in place while the text track scrolls past, creating the illusion of changing visuals as you scroll.

Component Reference

ScrollySection

The main container component that manages the sticky/scroll relationship.

Location: $lib/components/scrolly/ScrollySection.svelte

Props

Prop	Type	Default	Description
`activeStep`	`number`	`0`	Bindable. Current step index
`steps`	`Step[]`	required	Array of step content
`backgroundColor`	`string`	`'#0a0a0a'`	Background color
`showTextBoxes`	`boolean`	`true`	Show text boxes for steps
`textBoxVariant`	`'light' \| 'dark'`	`'light'`	Text box color scheme
`textBoxPosition`	`'center' \| 'left' \| 'right'`	`'center'`	Text box horizontal position
`firstStepOffset`	`number`	`0`	Viewport fraction to push first step down
`onStepEnter`	`(step, direction) => void`	-	Callback when step changes
`onScrollProgress`	`(progress) => void`	-	Callback with 0-1 scroll progress
`children`	`Snippet<[{ activeStep }]>`	-	Visualization snippet

Step Interface

interface Step {
  text?: string;           // HTML content for text box
  title?: string;          // Optional title
  image?: string;          // Image URL for text box
  bgColor?: string;        // Custom background color
  raw?: boolean;           // If true, render text without wrapper
  source?: { text: string; url: string };  // Source citation
  imageCredit?: string;    // Photo credit
}

Example Usage

<ScrollySection
  bind:activeStep={heroStep}
  steps={heroSteps}
  backgroundColor="#000000"
  showTextBoxes={true}
  textBoxVariant="light"
  onScrollProgress={(p) => (scrollProgress = p)}
>
  {#snippet children({ activeStep })}
    <HeroVisualization currentImage={heroImages[activeStep]} />
  {/snippet}
</ScrollySection>

ScrollyHelper

IntersectionObserver-based step tracker. Determines which step is most visible.

Location: $lib/components/scrolly/ScrollyHelper.svelte

How It Works

Wraps child elements (steps)
Creates IntersectionObserver for each child
Tracks intersection ratio for each step
Exports value binding with index of most visible step
Returns undefined when no steps are in view

Props

Prop	Type	Default	Description
`value`	`number \| undefined`	-	Bindable. Current step index
`root`	`Element \| null`	`null`	Intersection root
`top`	`number`	`0`	Top margin in pixels
`bottom`	`number`	`0`	Bottom margin in pixels
`increments`	`number`	`100`	Threshold granularity

Usage

<script>
  let currentStep = $state(undefined);
</script>

<ScrollyHelper bind:value={currentStep} top={200} bottom={200}>
  <div class="step">Step 0 content</div>
  <div class="step">Step 1 content</div>
  <div class="step">Step 2 content</div>
</ScrollyHelper>

ScrollyTextBox

Styled text box component for displaying narrative content.

Location: $lib/components/scrolly/ScrollyTextBox.svelte

Props

Prop	Type	Default	Description
`title`	`string`	`''`	Box title
`image`	`string \| null`	`null`	Image URL
`bgColor`	`string \| null`	`null`	Custom background
`active`	`boolean`	`true`	Active state
`variant`	`'light' \| 'dark'`	`'light'`	Color scheme
`maxWidth`	`'narrow' \| 'wide'`	`'narrow'`	Box width
`source`	`{ text, url } \| null`	`null`	Source citation
`imageCredit`	`string \| null`	`null`	Photo credit
`children`	`Snippet`	-	Content slot

Styling

Light variant: White background with blur
Dark variant: Near-black background with blur
Active state: Full opacity, translateY(0)
Inactive state: 75% opacity, translateY(8px)

/* Active transition */
.scrolly-text-box {
  opacity: 0.75;
  transform: translateY(8px);
  transition: all 0.35s cubic-bezier(0.25, 0.46, 0.45, 0.94);
}

.scrolly-text-box.active {
  opacity: 1;
  transform: translateY(0);
}

Visualization Components

Image Scrolly (HeroVisualization)

Simple image swapper with fade effects.

Location: $lib/components/cleared/HeroVisualization.svelte

<script lang="ts">
  interface Props {
    currentImage: string;
    fadeProgress?: number; // 0-1
  }

  let { currentImage, fadeProgress = 0 }: Props = $props();
</script>

<div class="hero-visualization">
  <img src={currentImage} alt="Scene" class="hero-image" />
  <div class="hero-overlay"></div>
  {#if fadeProgress > 0}
    <div class="fade-overlay" style:opacity={fadeProgress}></div>
  {/if}
</div>

<style>
  .hero-visualization {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    background: #000;
  }

  .hero-image {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: cover;
  }

  .hero-overlay {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background: linear-gradient(
      to bottom,
      rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0%,
      rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3) 50%,
      rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 100%
    );
  }

  .fade-overlay {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background: #0a0a0a;
    pointer-events: none;
  }
</style>

Parent Usage

<script>
  let heroStep = $state(0);
  let heroScrollProgress = $state(0);

  const heroImages = [
    '/images/scene1.jpg',
    '/images/scene2.jpg',
    '/images/scene3.jpg'
  ];

  let currentHeroImage = $derived(heroImages[heroStep] ?? heroImages[0]);

  // Fade to black on last step
  let heroFadeProgress = $derived(() => {
    if (heroStep !== 2) return 0;
    const fadeStart = 0.75;
    if (heroScrollProgress < fadeStart) return 0;
    return Math.min(1, (heroScrollProgress - fadeStart) / (1 - fadeStart));
  });
</script>

<ScrollySection
  bind:activeStep={heroStep}
  steps={heroSteps}
  onScrollProgress={(p) => (heroScrollProgress = p)}
>
  {#snippet children({ activeStep })}
    <HeroVisualization
      currentImage={currentHeroImage}
      fadeProgress={heroFadeProgress()}
    />
  {/snippet}
</ScrollySection>

Video Scrolly (VideoScrollyVisualization)

Multi-video display with step-based transitions.

Location: $lib/components/scrolly/VideoScrollyVisualization.svelte

<script lang="ts">
  interface VideoStep {
    videoSrc: string;
    poster?: string;
  }

  interface Props {
    activeStep: number;
    videoSteps: VideoStep[];
  }

  let { activeStep, videoSteps }: Props = $props();

  let videoRefs: HTMLVideoElement[] = $state([]);

  $effect(() => {
    // Pause all, play active
    videoRefs.forEach((video, i) => {
      if (video) {
        if (i === activeStep) {
          video.play().catch(() => {});
        } else {
          video.pause();
          video.currentTime = 0;
        }
      }
    });
  });
</script>

<div class="video-scrolly-viz">
  <div class="video-frame">
    {#each videoSteps as step, i}
      <video
        src={step.videoSrc}
        poster={step.poster}
        bind:this={videoRefs[i]}
        class="video-layer"
        class:active={i === activeStep}
        muted
        loop
        playsinline
        preload="metadata"
      />
    {/each}
  </div>
  <div class="video-vignette"></div>
</div>

<style>
  .video-scrolly-viz {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    background: #000;
  }

  .video-frame {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 1rem;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
  }

  .video-layer {
    position: absolute;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: contain;
    opacity: 0;
    transition: opacity 500ms ease;
    pointer-events: none;
  }

  .video-layer.active {
    opacity: 1;
  }

  .video-vignette {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background: radial-gradient(ellipse at center, transparent 40%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6) 100%);
    pointer-events: none;
  }
</style>

Parent Usage

<script>
  let videoStep = $state(0);

  const videoData = [
    { videoSrc: '/videos/clip1.mp4' },
    { videoSrc: '/videos/clip2.mp4' },
    { videoSrc: '/videos/clip3.mp4' }
  ];

  const videoSteps = [
    { raw: true, text: '<div class="quote-card">Quote 1</div>' },
    { raw: true, text: '<div class="quote-card">Quote 2</div>' },
    { raw: true, text: '<div class="quote-card">Quote 3</div>' }
  ];
</script>

<ScrollySection
  bind:activeStep={videoStep}
  steps={videoSteps}
  backgroundColor="#000000"
  showTextBoxes={true}
>
  {#snippet children({ activeStep })}
    <VideoScrollyVisualization {activeStep} videoSteps={videoData} />
  {/snippet}
</ScrollySection>

Map Scrolly (MapScrolly)

Interactive map with step-driven camera movements and layer visibility.

Location: $lib/components/cleared/MapScrolly.svelte

Key Features

MapTiler/Mapbox GL integration
Fly-to animations between steps
GeoJSON layer management
Fade-in/fade-out overlays

Props

Prop	Type	Default	Description
`activeStep`	`number`	required	Current step index
`fadeProgress`	`number`	`0`	Fade-in overlay (1=black, 0=visible)
`fadeOutProgress`	`number`	`0`	Fade-out overlay at end

Step Data Structure

{
  "steps": [
    {
      "coordinates": [92.9376, 26.2006],
      "zoom": 7,
      "pitch": 0,
      "bearing": 0,
      "duration": 2000,
      "layers": {
        "evictions": { "opacity": 0.6 },
        "villages": { "visible": true, "opacity": 1.0 }
      }
    }
  ]
}

Fly-To Implementation

function flyToStep(index: number) {
  if (!map || !mapReady) return;

  const step = steps[index];
  if (!step) return;

  map.flyTo({
    center: step.coordinates,
    zoom: step.zoom,
    bearing: step.bearing || 0,
    pitch: step.pitch || 0,
    duration: step.duration || 2000,
    easing: (t: number) => t * (2 - t)  // Ease-out quad
  });

  updateLayerVisibility(index);
}

Notice Mosaic (NoticeMosaic)

Scattered document display with progressive reveal.

Location: $lib/components/scrolly/NoticeMosaic.svelte

<script lang="ts">
  interface Notice {
    image: string;
    alt: string;
    title: string;
    subtitle: string;
    excerpt: string;
  }

  interface Props {
    activeStep: number;
    notices: Notice[];
    backgroundColor?: string;
  }

  let { activeStep, notices, backgroundColor = '#1a1715' }: Props = $props();

  let currentNoticeIndex = $derived(Math.min(activeStep, notices.length - 1));

  // Deterministic positioning with jitter
  function getPosition(index: number): [string, string, number] {
    const positions: [number, number, number][] = [
      [20, 15, -3],
      [50, 25, 2.5],
      [15, 45, -1.5],
      [55, 10, 3]
    ];

    const pos = positions[index % positions.length];
    const seed = index * 7919;
    const jitterX = ((seed % 10) - 5) * 0.5;
    const jitterY = (((seed * 3) % 10) - 5) * 0.5;

    return [`${pos[0] + jitterX}%`, `${pos[1] + jitterY}%`, pos[2]];
  }
</script>

Critical CSS Rules

NEVER Use `position: fixed` for Overlays

Problem: Fixed overlays cover the ENTIRE viewport, including content below.

/* BAD - Will darken entire page */
.fade-overlay {
  position: fixed;
  inset: 0;
  background: #0a0a0a;
  z-index: 5;
}

/* GOOD - Scoped to parent container */
.fade-overlay {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: #0a0a0a;
  pointer-events: none;
}

Z-Index Guidelines

Keep z-index values simple and scoped:

Layer	Z-Index	Description
Visual layer (sticky)	1	Background visualization
Text track	2	Scrolling text content
Fade overlays	10	Transition effects (inside section)
Footer	10	Ensure footer visibility

AVOID high z-index values on sections adjacent to ScrollySection:

<!-- BAD - Will stack above scrolly -->
<section class="intro relative z-10">

<!-- GOOD - Natural stacking -->
<section class="intro relative">

Sticky Positioning Requirements

For position: sticky to work:

Use overflow-x: clip instead of overflow: hidden:

:global(html), :global(body) {
  overflow-x: clip;  /* Doesn't break sticky */
}

Add isolation to the scrolly container:

.scroll-section {
  position: relative;
  isolation: isolate;
}

Visual layer structure:

.visual-layer {
  position: sticky;
  top: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100vh;
  z-index: 1;
}

Non-Scrolly Content Sections

For regular article content without scroll-lock:

Content Section Structure

<section class="content-section">
  <div class="content-container">
    <h2 class="content-heading">Section Title</h2>
    <div class="prose-content">
      <p>Article content...</p>
    </div>
  </div>
</section>

CSS

/* Dark theme content section */
.content-section {
  position: relative;
  background: #0a0a0a;
  padding: 5rem 1.5rem;
}

.content-container {
  max-width: 42rem;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.content-heading {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', Georgia, serif;
  font-size: clamp(1.75rem, 4vw, 2.5rem);
  font-weight: 600;
  line-height: 1.2;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin: 0 0 2rem 0;
}

.prose-content {
  font-family: 'Source Sans 3', system-ui, sans-serif;
  font-size: 1.125rem;
  line-height: 1.85;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
}

.prose-content p {
  margin: 0 0 1.5rem 0;
}

.prose-content strong {
  font-weight: 600;
  color: #ffffff;
}

.prose-content blockquote {
  border-left: 4px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
  padding-left: 1.5rem;
  margin: 2rem 0;
  font-style: italic;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6);
}

Timeline Events

.timeline-events {
  margin: 2rem 0;
}

.event {
  padding-left: 1.5rem;
  border-left: 4px solid #dc2626;
  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
}

.event-date {
  font-weight: 600;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin: 0 0 0.25rem 0;
}

Step Data Patterns

Standard Text Steps

const steps = [
  {
    title: 'September 23, 2021',
    text: 'Event description with <strong>emphasis</strong>.',
    source: { text: 'Reuters', url: 'https://...' },
    imageCredit: 'Photographer Name'
  }
];

Raw HTML Steps (Custom Cards)

const steps = [
  {
    raw: true,
    text: `
      <div class="custom-card">
        <span class="date">August 4, 2025</span>
        <blockquote>"Quote text here"</blockquote>
        <a href="..." class="source-link">View source</a>
      </div>
    `
  }
];

Hero Header (First Step)

const heroSteps = [
  {
    raw: true,
    text: `
      <div class="hero-header">
        <h1 class="hero-title">Article Title</h1>
        <p class="hero-desc">Subtitle description</p>
        <div class="hero-byline">
          <p class="byline-label">By</p>
          <p class="byline-authors">Author Names</p>
          <p class="byline-date">January 2026</p>
        </div>
      </div>
    `
  },
  // ... more steps
];

Fade Effects

Fade-to-Black at Section End

let scrollProgress = $state(0);

// Calculate fade: starts at 75% scroll, complete at 100%
let fadeProgress = $derived(() => {
  const fadeStart = 0.75;
  if (scrollProgress < fadeStart) return 0;
  return Math.min(1, (scrollProgress - fadeStart) / (1 - fadeStart));
});

Fade-in at Section Start

// Fade from black (1) to visible (0) over first 25%
let fadeInProgress = $derived(() => {
  const fadeEnd = 0.25;
  if (scrollProgress >= fadeEnd) return 0;
  return 1 - (scrollProgress / fadeEnd);
});

Applying Fade Overlays

{#if fadeProgress > 0}
  <div class="fade-overlay" style:opacity={fadeProgress}></div>
{/if}

<style>
  .fade-overlay {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background: #0a0a0a;
    pointer-events: none;
    z-index: 10;
  }
</style>

Complete Page Structure

<div class="article-container">
  <!-- Hero Scrolly -->
  <ScrollySection bind:activeStep={heroStep} steps={heroSteps}>
    {#snippet children({ activeStep })}
      <HeroVisualization ... />
    {/snippet}
  </ScrollySection>

  <!-- Data Visualization Scrolly -->
  <ScrollySection bind:activeStep={dataStep} steps={dataSteps}>
    {#snippet children({ activeStep })}
      <DataVisualization ... />
    {/snippet}
  </ScrollySection>

  <!-- Regular Content Section -->
  <section class="content-section">
    <div class="content-container">
      <h2>Section Title</h2>
      <div class="prose-content">...</div>
    </div>
  </section>

  <!-- Map Scrolly -->
  <ScrollySection bind:activeStep={mapStep} steps={mapSteps}>
    {#snippet children({ activeStep })}
      <MapScrolly ... />
    {/snippet}
  </ScrollySection>

  <!-- Footer -->
  <footer class="article-footer">...</footer>
</div>

<style>
  .article-container {
    background: #0a0a0a;
    min-height: 100vh;
  }

  :global(html), :global(body) {
    overflow-x: clip;
  }
</style>

Troubleshooting

Video Scrolly Not Visible

Check z-index on surrounding sections (remove z-10)
Ensure no position: fixed overlays covering viewport
Verify video files exist at specified paths

Dark Overlay Covering Entire Page

Cause: Fade overlay using position: fixed instead of absolute

Fix:

.fade-overlay {
  position: absolute;  /* Not fixed! */
  inset: 0;
}

Sticky Not Working

Check for overflow: hidden on ancestors (use overflow-x: clip)
Verify position: sticky has top: 0
Ensure container has defined height or content

Steps Not Triggering

Verify step elements have sufficient height (min-height: 70vh)
Check IntersectionObserver margin settings
Ensure steps are direct children of ScrollyHelper

Typography Guidelines

/* Headings */
font-family: 'Playfair Display', Georgia, serif;

/* Body text */
font-family: 'Source Sans 3', system-ui, sans-serif;

/* Monospace/dates */
font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', 'Courier New', monospace;

Font Loading

<svelte:head>
  <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com" />
  <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin="anonymous" />
  <link
    href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=JetBrains+Mono:wght@400;500&family=Playfair+Display:wght@400;500;600;700&family=Source+Sans+3:wght@300;400;500;600&display=swap"
    rel="stylesheet"
  />
</svelte:head>

Dependencies

{
  "dependencies": {
    "svelte": "^5.0.0",
    "@sveltejs/kit": "^2.0.0"
  }
}

Optional for specific visualizations:

mapbox-gl or @maptiler/sdk for maps
d3 for data visualizations
gsap for complex animations

scrolly-sveltekit

Tool Access

Preview

Supporting Assets

SKILL.md

Similar Skills

Help us improve

Help us improve

scrolly-sveltekit

Tool Access

Preview

Supporting Assets

SKILL.md

Scrollytelling in SvelteKit

Quick Start

Core Architecture

The Scrolly Pattern

Component Reference

ScrollySection

Props

Step Interface

Example Usage

ScrollyHelper

How It Works

Props

Usage

ScrollyTextBox

Props

Styling

Visualization Components

Image Scrolly (HeroVisualization)

Parent Usage

Video Scrolly (VideoScrollyVisualization)

Parent Usage

Map Scrolly (MapScrolly)

Key Features

Props

Step Data Structure

Fly-To Implementation

Notice Mosaic (NoticeMosaic)

Critical CSS Rules

NEVER Use position: fixed for Overlays

Z-Index Guidelines

Sticky Positioning Requirements

Non-Scrolly Content Sections

Content Section Structure

CSS

Timeline Events

Step Data Patterns

Standard Text Steps

Raw HTML Steps (Custom Cards)

Hero Header (First Step)

Fade Effects

Fade-to-Black at Section End

Fade-in at Section Start

Applying Fade Overlays

Complete Page Structure

Troubleshooting

Video Scrolly Not Visible

Dark Overlay Covering Entire Page

Sticky Not Working

Steps Not Triggering

Typography Guidelines

Font Loading

Dependencies

Similar Skills

Help us improve

Scrollytelling in SvelteKit

Quick Start

Core Architecture

The Scrolly Pattern

Component Reference

ScrollySection

Props

Step Interface

Example Usage

ScrollyHelper

How It Works

Props

Usage

NEVER Use `position: fixed` for Overlays

NEVER Use `position: fixed` for Overlays