anim-engine 0.4.0 → 0.5.0

package/README.md

@@ -5,51 +5,22 @@
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-[![TypeScript](https://img.shields.io/badge/TypeScript-6.0-blue)](https://www.typescriptlang.org/)
 
 </div>
 
-**Renderer-agnostic animation for JavaScript runtimes.** A fast, lightweight, pure-numeric animation engine.
-
-- [Getting started](#getting-started)
-- [Design](#design)
-- [Key advantages](#key-advantages)
-- [Primitives](#primitives)
-- [Usage](#usage)
-  - [createAnimation (tween)](#createanimation)
-  - [createAnimation (keyframes)](#keyframes)
-  - [Re-playing and sequencing](#re-playing-and-sequencing)
-  - [createTimeline](#createtimeline)
-  - [Continuous primitives](#continuous-primitives)
-  - [createSmoothClamp](#createsmoothclamp)
-  - [Color](#color)
-- [Ticker](#ticker)
-- [Easing](#easing)
-- [Dynamic values](#dynamic-values)
-- [Benchmarks](#benchmarks)
-- [Game engine integration](#game-engine-integration)
-- [API Reference](#api-reference)
-- [License](#license)
-
-## Getting started
+**Renderer-agnostic animation for JavaScript runtimes.** Pure-numeric, tree-shakeable, zero dependencies.
 
 ```sh
 npm install anim-engine
 ```
 
-ESM only. Tree-shakeable — import only what you use.
-
 ```ts
 import { createAnimation, getTicker } from "anim-engine";
 
-// The ticker drives all animations. Start it once or drive it with an external ticker.
 getTicker().start();
 
 const anim = createAnimation({
-  from: 0,
-  to: 100,
-  durationMs: 1000,
-  ease: "outCubic",
+  from: 0, to: 100, durationMs: 1000, ease: "outCubic",
   onUpdate: (value) => (sprite.x = value),
 });
 
@@ -58,534 +29,403 @@ await anim.play();
 
 ## Design
 
-Anim Engine is built around three simple mental models that compose naturally:
+Anim Engine is built around the same concepts used in animation applications, applied to pure numbers.
 
-- **Animation** — a timed tween from value A to value B with easing and delay. The atomic unit of motion.
-- **Keyframes** — multi-segment interpolation that describes what a single value does over time, with per-segment easing and millisecond timing.
-- **Timeline** — orchestration of multiple animations running in parallel, sequence, or staggered offset. Composes tweens and keyframes.
+**Timed motion** — a fixed path evaluated when `play()` is called.
 
-Beyond timed animation, the engine provides **continuous primitives** — spring physics, smooth damp, and exponential lerp — for natural, target-chasing motion without a fixed duration.
+- **Tween** — animate from value A to value B over a duration with easing.
+- **Keyframes** — multi-segment motion describing a value at specific points in time.
+- **Timeline** — orchestrate multiple keyframe animations in parallel, sequence, or staggered offset.
 
-### Why numbers only?
+**Continuous motion** — chases a live target every frame.
 
-By restricting itself to numeric values, the engine eliminates string parsing, color-space branching, and transform-matrix overhead. You get a minimal surface area that is easy to optimise, tree-shake, reason about and fit into any renderer. Color interpolation (Oklab) is provided as a pure function — you compose it yourself into an `onUpdate` callback.
+- **Spring** — mass-spring-damper physics for bouncy or elastic movement.
+- **Smooth damp** — natural deceleration toward a target (Unity-style).
+- **Lerp** — exponential approach for smooth asymptotic tracking.
+- **Smooth clamp** — asymptotic saturation for capping velocity, torque, or force.
 
-## Key advantages
+**Color helpers** — Oklab-based composable interpolation.
 
-|                              |                                                                                                                                     |
-| ---------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| ⚡ **Fast**                  | 1.7–7.5× faster than GSAP overall; 3.0–6.2× when comparing equivalent `onUpdate` callback dispatch (see [benchmarks](#benchmarks)). |
-| 🪶 **Lightweight**           | Tree-shakeable ESM — import only what you use. No DOM, no canvas, no dependencies.                                                  |
-| 🎯 **Numbers only**          | A single numeric type for all values. No strings, no transforms, no branches. Predictable performance.                              |
-| 🔌 **Renderer-agnostic**     | Feed values to PixiJS, ThreeJS, DOM, canvas2d, or WebGL. Same API everywhere.                                                       |
-| 🧩 **Composable models**     | Animations, keyframes, and timelines compose cleanly — put tweens inside timelines, nest keyframes anywhere.                        |
-| 🔄 **Continuous primitives** | Spring, smooth damp, and lerp chase live targets with zero setup — pass `() => value` for dynamic targets.                          |
-| 🚫 **No GC pressure**        | Zero object allocations in hot update paths. State is mutated in place.                                                             |
-| 🎨 **Perceptual color**      | Oklab interpolation via `lerpRgba` — no muddy browns. Compose it into any `onUpdate`.                                               |
-| 📐 **TypeScript-first**      | Full type exports, exhaustive discriminated unions, no `any`.                                                                       |
-| 🔧 **Ticker control**        | Bring your own game loop or use the built-in rAF ticker. Explicit — never auto-starts.                                              |
+- **`lerpRgba`** — interpolates between two RGBA colors in perceptually uniform space.
+- **`hexToRgba`** — parse hex color strings (`#RGB`, `#RRGGBB`, etc.) to normalized RGBA.
 
-## Primitives
-
-### Timed (return `Animation`)
+### Deliberately decoupled
 
-| Primitive                                   | Returns     | Description                                          |
-| ------------------------------------------- | ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
-| [`createAnimation`](#createanimation)       | `Animation` | Timed tween from A to B with easing and delay        |
-| [`createAnimation` (keyframes)](#keyframes) | `Animation` | Multi-segment interpolation with per-segment easing  |
-| [`createTimeline`](#createtimeline)         | `Timeline`  | Orchestrate multiple animations on a shared timeline |
+Anim Engine works strictly with numbers to stay renderer-agnostic. Each function accepts an `onUpdate` callback with the latest value and velocity — assign it to a DOM element, WebGL object, or any other target. Read-only `value` and `velocity` properties are also exposed for polling inside a game loop.
 
-Animations have `play()`/`pause()`/`resume()`/`stop()`/`skipToEnd()`/`kill()` controls, return a `Promise` from `play()`, and emit `onUpdate`/`onEnded`/`onProgress` callbacks.
+- [Primitives](#primitives)
+- [At a glance](#at-a-glance)
+- [Examples](#examples)
+- [Easing](#easing)
+- [Dynamic values](#dynamic-values)
+- [Color](#color)
+- [Ticker](#ticker)
+- [Game engine integration](#game-engine-integration)
+- [Benchmarks](#benchmarks)
 
-### Continuous (return `Interpolation`)
+---
 
-| Primitive                               | Returns         | Description                                          |
-| --------------------------------------- | --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
-| [`createSpring`](#createspring)         | `Interpolation` | Physics-based spring (Verlet integration)            |
-| [`createSmoothDamp`](#createsmoothdamp) | `Interpolation` | Unity-style smooth damp, parameter-free chase        |
-| [`createLerp`](#createlerp)             | `Interpolation` | First-order exponential chase, single rate parameter |
+## Primitives
 
-Interpolations have `start()`/`stop()`/`kill()` controls, auto-start on creation, and chase a target without a fixed duration. No promise — they run until stopped.
+Two families with complementary shapes:
 
-### Utility
+| Family | Functions | Lifespan |
+|---|---|---|
+| **Timed** | `createAnimation`, `createTimeline` | Fixed motion path, runs once per `play()` |
+| **Continuous** | `createSpring`, `createSmoothDamp`, `createLerp` | Chases a live target until stopped |
 
-| Primitive                                 | Returns              | Description                                   |
-| ----------------------------------------- | -------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
-| [`createSmoothClamp`](#createsmoothclamp) | `(n: number) => n`   | Asymptotic clamp — saturates toward threshold |
-| [`lerpRgba` / `hexToRgba`](#color)        | `RgbaTuple` / parser | Perceptually uniform color interpolation      |
+All return a control handle with `value`, `velocity`, `status`, and lifecycle methods.
 
-## Usage
+`createSmoothClamp` is a pure function factory (no handle — returns `(input: number) => number`).
 
-### createAnimation
+## At a glance
 
-Animate a single value from `from` to `to` over `durationMs`.
+### Timed — `Animation`
 
 ```ts
-import { createAnimation } from "anim-engine";
-
-const anim = createAnimation({
-  from: 0,
-  to: 100,
-  durationMs: 2000,
-  ease: "outElastic",
-  onUpdate: (value, velocity) => {
-    sprite.x = value;
-  },
-  onEnded: () => console.log("done"),
-});
-
-// Promise-based control
-await anim.play(); // plays, resolves when done
-anim.pause();
-anim.resume();
-anim.stop(); // resets to start
-anim.skipToEnd(); // jumps to end, resolves promise
+type Animation = {
+  play: () => Promise<void>
+  pause: () => void
+  resume: () => void
+  stop: () => void
+  skipToEnd: () => void
+  setProgress: (value: number) => void
+
+  value: number
+  velocity: number
+  progress: number       // 0 → 1
+  status: "playing" | "paused" | "stopped"
+  durationMs: number
+}
 ```
 
-**Single-tween options:**
-
-| Option       | Type                                        | Default       | Description                                                  |
-| ------------ | ------------------------------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
-| `from`       | `number \| () => number`                    | —             | Start value                                                  |
-| `to`         | `number \| () => number`                    | —             | End value                                                    |
-| `durationMs` | `number \| () => number`                    | —             | Duration in milliseconds                                     |
-| `ease`       | `EaseName \| EaseFunction`                  | `"inOutSine"` | Easing function or name                                      |
-| `onStarted`  | `() => void`                                | —             | Called when playback begins                                  |
-| `onUpdate`   | `(value: number, velocity: number) => void` | —             | Called every frame with current value and velocity (units/s) |
-| `onEnded`    | `() => void`                                | —             | Called when animation completes                              |
-
-**Returns:** `Animation`
-
-### Keyframes
-
-Multi-segment animation with per-keyframe easing. The first keyframe is the starting point (no gap/ease). Each subsequent keyframe specifies the gap from the previous one and an optional easing. Total duration is the sum of all gaps.
+**Options — single tween:**
 
 ```ts
-import { createAnimation } from "anim-engine";
-
-const anim = createAnimation({
-  keyframes: [
-    { value: 0 },
-    { value: 50, gap: 300, ease: "outCubic" },
-    { value: 80, gap: 400, ease: "inOutQuad" },
-    { value: 100, gap: 300 },
-  ],
-  onUpdate: (value) => (sprite.x = value),
-  onProgress: (progress) => console.log(`${Math.round(progress * 100)}%`),
-});
+type TweenOptions = {
+  from: DynamicValue
+  to: DynamicValue
+  durationMs: DynamicValue
+  ease?: EaseName | EaseFunction
+  onStarted?: () => void
+  onUpdate?: (value: number, velocity: number) => void
+  onProgress?: (progress: number) => void
+  onEnded?: () => void
+  ticker?: ExternalTicker
+}
 ```
 
-Each keyframe's `gap` is in milliseconds from the previous keyframe. Total duration is the sum of all gaps (1000ms in this example). If no `ease` is specified on a keyframe, `"inOutSine"` is used as the default.
-
-**Keyframe options:**
-
-| Option       | Type                                        | Description                                        |
-| ------------ | ------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
-| `keyframes`  | `Keyframe[]`                                | Array of `{ value, gap?, ease? }` keyframes        |
-| `onStarted`  | `() => void`                                | Called when playback begins                        |
-| `onUpdate`   | `(value: number, velocity: number) => void` | Called every frame with current value and velocity |
-| `onProgress` | `(progress: number) => void`                | Called every frame with 0–1 global progress        |
-| `onEnded`    | `() => void`                                | Called when the keyframe animation completes       |
-
-**Returns:** `Animation`
-
-### Re-playing and sequencing
-
-Since `play()` can be called again after a tween completes, repeat and yoyo patterns are built from the public API rather than baked into the engine:
+**Options — keyframes:**
 
 ```ts
-import { createAnimation } from "anim-engine";
-
-const anim = createAnimation({
-  from: 1,
-  to: 1.3,
-  durationMs: 600,
-  ease: "inOutSine",
-  onUpdate: (scale) => sprite.scale.set(scale),
-});
-
-// Repeat — just call play() again
-for (let i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
-  await anim.play();
+type KeyframeOptions = {
+  keyframes: Keyframe[]
+  onStarted?: () => void
+  onUpdate?: (value: number, velocity: number) => void
+  onProgress?: (progress: number) => void
+  onEnded?: () => void
+  ticker?: ExternalTicker
 }
 
-// Yoyo — swap from/to via dynamic accessors and re-play
-let forward = true;
-const bounce = createAnimation({
-  from: () => (forward ? 1 : 1.3),
-  to: () => (forward ? 1.3 : 1),
-  durationMs: 600,
-  ease: "inOutSine",
-  onUpdate: (v) => sprite.scale.set(v),
-});
-
-for (let i = 0; i < 6; i++) {
-  forward = !forward;
-  await bounce.play();
+type Keyframe = {
+  value: DynamicValue
+  gap?: DynamicValue    // ms from previous keyframe
+  ease?: EaseName | EaseFunction
 }
 ```
 
-For more complex sequences, use `createTimeline`:
-
-```ts
-import { createTimeline } from "anim-engine";
-
-const flash = createTimeline([
-  { at: 0, animation: { keyframes: [{ value: 0 }, { value: 1, gap: 300 }] } },
-  { gap: 0, animation: { keyframes: [{ value: 1 }, { value: 0, gap: 300 }] } },
-]);
-await flash.play();
-```
+### Timed — `Timeline`
 
-### createTimeline
-
-Compose multiple keyframe animations on a shared timeline with `at` or `gap` positions. Parallelism comes from multiple layers at the same `at`.
+Layers multiple keyframe animations in parallel or sequence.
 
 ```ts
-import { createTimeline } from "anim-engine";
-
-const timeline = createTimeline(
-  [
-    {
-      at: 0,
-      animation: {
-        keyframes: [{ value: 0 }, { value: 1, gap: 500 }],
-        onUpdate: (v) => (sprite.alpha = v),
-      },
-    },
-    {
-      at: 0,
-      animation: {
-        keyframes: [{ value: -100 }, { value: 0, gap: 800, ease: "outBack" }],
-        onUpdate: (v) => (sprite.x = v),
-      },
-    },
-  ],
-  {
-    onProgress: (progress) => console.log(`overall: ${progress}`),
-  },
-);
-
-timeline.play();
+type Timeline = {
+  play: () => Promise<void>
+  pause: () => void
+  resume: () => void
+  stop: () => void
+  skipToEnd: () => void
+  setProgress: (value: number) => void
+
+  values: number[]      // one per layer
+  velocities: number[]  // one per layer
+  progress: number
+  status: "playing" | "paused" | "stopped"
+  durationMs: number
+}
 ```
 
-**Parameters:**
-
 ```ts
 type TimelineLayer =
-  | { animation: KeyframeAnimationOptions; at: DynamicValue }
-  | { animation: KeyframeAnimationOptions; gap: number };
+  | { animation: KeyframeOptions; at: DynamicValue }      // absolute position
+  | { animation: KeyframeOptions; gap: number }            // relative to previous layer end
 ```
 
-| Parameter            | Type                 | Description                                                    |
-| -------------------- | -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| `layers`             | `TimelineLayer[]`    | Array of layers with `at` (absolute) or `gap` (relative) start |
-| `options.onStarted`  | `() => void`         | Called when timeline begins                                    |
-| `options.onProgress` | `(progress) => void` | Called every frame with overall 0–1 progress                   |
-| `options.onEnded`    | `() => void`         | Called when timeline finishes                                  |
-
-`gap` is relative to the end of the previous layer. Use multiple layers at the same `at` for parallel animations. A simple tween is expressed as a 2-keyframe sequence: `{ value: from }, { value: to, gap: durationMs }`.
-
-### Continuous primitives
-
-Spring, smooth damp, and lerp are **continuous** — they auto-start and chase a target. They return `Interpolation` (no `play`/`pause`/`promise`).
-
-#### createSpring
+### Continuous — `Interpolation`
 
 ```ts
-import { createSpring } from "anim-engine";
+type Interpolation = {
+  resume: () => void
+  stop: () => void
+  setValue: (value: number) => void
+
+  value: number
+  velocity: number
+  status: "active" | "inactive"
+}
+```
 
-const spring = createSpring({
-  to: () => 100,
-  stiffness: 180,
-  damping: 12,
-  mass: 1,
-  precision: 0.01,
-  onUpdate: (value, velocity) => {
-    sprite.x = value;
-  },
-});
+**Options:**
 
-spring.setCurrentValue(0); // jump to start — spring chases back to 100
+```ts
+type SpringOptions = {
+  to: () => number
+  stiffness?: DynamicValue   // default 180
+  damping?: DynamicValue     // default 12
+  mass?: DynamicValue        // default 1
+  precision?: number         // default 0.01
+  onUpdate?: (value: number, velocity: number) => void
+  onEnded?: () => void
+  ticker?: ExternalTicker
+}
 
-// Dynamic target — mouse chase
-const targetX = { value: 0 };
-document.addEventListener("mousemove", (e) => {
-  targetX.value = e.clientX;
-});
+type SmoothDampOptions = {
+  to: () => number
+  smoothTimeMs: DynamicValue
+  maxSpeed?: DynamicValue
+  precision?: number         // default 0.01
+  onUpdate?: (value: number, velocity: number) => void
+  onEnded?: () => void
+  ticker?: ExternalTicker
+}
 
-const follower = createSpring({
-  to: () => targetX.value, // re-read every frame
-  stiffness: 200,
-  damping: 15,
-  onUpdate: (v) => (sprite.x = v),
-});
+type LerpOptions = {
+  to: () => number
+  smoothTimeMs: DynamicValue
+  precision?: number         // default 0.01
+  onUpdate?: (value: number, velocity: number) => void
+  onEnded?: () => void
+  ticker?: ExternalTicker
+}
 ```
 
-All parameters (`stiffness`, `damping`, `mass`, `to`) accept `number | (() => number)` — resolved every frame.
+### Common option patterns
 
-**Returns:** `Interpolation` — `start()`, `stop()`, `kill()`, `setCurrentValue(value)`, `currentValue`, `velocity`, `status`. Starts at the `to()` value. Use `setCurrentValue(value)` to jump elsewhere.
+| | `from` | `to` / target | `onUpdate` values | `durationMs` / `smoothTimeMs` |
+|---|---|---|---|---|
+| `createAnimation` (tween) | ✅ `DynamicValue` | ✅ `DynamicValue` | single `(value, velocity)` | ✅ `DynamicValue` |
+| `createAnimation` (keyframes) | — (first keyframe) | — (last keyframe) | single `(value, velocity)` | — (sum of gaps) |
+| `createTimeline` | — | — | multi `(values[], velocities[])` | — (computed) |
+| `createSpring` | — (chases current) | ✅ `() => number` | single `(value, velocity)` | — (physics params) |
+| `createSmoothDamp` | — (chases current) | ✅ `() => number` | single `(value, velocity)` | ✅ `DynamicValue` |
+| `createLerp` | — (chases current) | ✅ `() => number` | single `(value, velocity)` | ✅ `DynamicValue` |
 
-#### createSmoothDamp
+### Shared options
 
 ```ts
-import { createSmoothDamp } from "anim-engine";
+type DynamicValue = number | (() => number)
 
-const damp = createSmoothDamp({
-  to: () => 100,
-  smoothTimeMs: 300,
-  maxSpeed: Infinity,
-  onUpdate: (value, velocity) => (sprite.x = value),
-});
-
-damp.setCurrentValue(0); // jump to start — damp chases back to 100
+type ExternalTicker = {
+  add: (handler: TickHandler) => void
+  remove: (handler: TickHandler) => void
+}
 ```
 
-Unity-style smooth damp with Taylor-series exponential approximation. No stiffness/damping/mass to tune — just `smoothTimeMs` (milliseconds to reach target).
+---
 
-**Returns:** `Interpolation`
+## Examples
 
-#### createLerp
+### Single tween
 
 ```ts
-import { createLerp } from "anim-engine";
-
-const lerp = createLerp({
-  to: () => 100,
-  smoothTimeMs: 300, // ms to reach target
-  onUpdate: (value, velocity) => (sprite.x = value),
+const anim = createAnimation({
+  from: 0, to: 100, durationMs: 2000, ease: "outElastic",
+  onUpdate: (v) => (sprite.x = v),
 });
-
-lerp.setCurrentValue(0); // jump to start — lerp chases back to 100
+await anim.play();
 ```
 
-First-order exponential approach: `value += (target - value) * rate * deltaTime`. `smoothTimeMs` is the approximate time in milliseconds to reach the target. Frame-rate independent.
-
-**Returns:** `Interpolation`
-
-### createSmoothClamp
+### Keyframes
 
 ```ts
-import { createSmoothClamp } from "anim-engine";
-
-const clamp = createSmoothClamp(45); // threshold = 45 units/s
-
-const result = clamp(1000); // → ~44.96 (approaches 45 asymptotically)
-const result2 = clamp(-500); // → ~-44.96 (symmetric)
+createAnimation({
+  keyframes: [
+    { value: 0 },
+    { value: 50, gap: 300, ease: "outCubic" },
+    { value: 100, gap: 400 },
+  ],
+  onUpdate: (v) => (sprite.x = v),
+}).play();
 ```
 
-Uses `threshold * (normalized / (1 + |normalized|))` for asymptotic saturation. Handles `Infinity` correctly. Returns a function `(value: number) => number` with a `setCurrentValue(0)` method to reset position.
-
-### Color
-
-Perceptually uniform Oklab interpolation. Straight RGB lerp produces muddy transitions — red→green goes through brown, blue→yellow goes through grey. Oklab matches human perception: equal steps look like equal changes.
+### Repeat & yoyo
 
 ```ts
-import { lerpRgba, hexToRgba } from "anim-engine";
+const anim = createAnimation({
+  from: () => (forward ? 1 : 1.3),
+  to: () => (forward ? 1.3 : 1),
+  durationMs: 600, ease: "inOutSine",
+  onUpdate: (v) => sprite.scale.set(v),
+});
 
-hexToRgba("#ff6b6b"); // → [1, 0.42, 0.42, 1]
-hexToRgba("#f80"); // → [1, 0.533, 0, 1] (shorthand)
-hexToRgba("#ff804080"); // → [1, 0.502, 0.251, 0.502] (with alpha)
+for (let i = 0; i < 6; i++) {
+  forward = !forward;
+  await anim.play();
+}
+```
 
-const fromColor = hexToRgba("#ff6b6b");
-const toColor = hexToRgba("#4ecdc4");
+### Timeline
 
-createAnimation({
-  from: 0,
-  to: 1,
-  durationMs: 2000,
-  ease: "outCubic",
-  onUpdate: (t) => {
-    const [r, g, b, a] = lerpRgba(fromColor, toColor, t);
-    sprite.setColor(r, g, b, a);
-  },
+```ts
+createTimeline([
+  { at: 0, animation: { keyframes: [{ value: 0 }, { value: 1, gap: 500 }] } },
+  { at: 0, animation: { keyframes: [{ value: -100 }, { value: 0, gap: 800, ease: "outBack" }] } },
+], {
+  onProgress: (p) => console.log(p),
+  onUpdate: (values, velocities) => { /* one entry per layer */ },
 });
 ```
 
-**With continuous primitives** — drive the blend factor via spring, damp, or lerp:
+### Spring
 
 ```ts
-import { createSpring, lerpRgba, hexToRgba } from "anim-engine";
-
-const fromColor = hexToRgba("#ff6b6b");
-const toColor = hexToRgba("#4ecdc4");
-
 const spring = createSpring({
-  from: 0,
-  to: () => (isHovered ? 1 : 0),
-  stiffness: 180,
-  damping: 12,
-  onUpdate: (t) => {
-    const [r, g, b] = lerpRgba(fromColor, toColor, t);
-    sprite.setColor(r, g, b, 1);
-  },
+  to: () => mouseX,
+  stiffness: 180, damping: 12,
+  onUpdate: (v) => (sprite.x = v),
 });
 ```
 
-See [`src/color/README.md`](src/color/README.md) for the full Oklab reference including color-space internals.
-
-## Ticker
-
-The ticker does **not** auto-start. You must explicitly call `start()` (for rAF) or `update(deltaMs)` (for custom game loops) to drive animations.
-
-Primitives register themselves with the ticker on creation — no manual registration needed.
-
-**Standalone (rAF):** `getTicker().start()` uses its own `requestAnimationFrame` loop. Best for DOM-based demos or when you don't have a game loop.
+### Smooth damp
 
 ```ts
-import { getTicker, createAnimation } from "anim-engine";
-
-getTicker().start(); // starts the rAF loop — call once
-
-createAnimation({
-  from: 0,
-  to: 100,
-  durationMs: 2000,
-  ease: "outElastic",
+createSmoothDamp({
+  to: () => 100, smoothTimeMs: 300,
   onUpdate: (v) => (sprite.x = v),
-}).play();
+});
 ```
 
-**Custom game loop:** Call `getTicker().update(deltaMs)` from your own loop. Syncs to PixiJS ticker, ThreeJS `requestAnimationFrame`, or a fixed-step physics loop.
+### Lerp
 
 ```ts
-import { getTicker } from "anim-engine";
+createLerp({
+  to: () => 100, smoothTimeMs: 300,
+  onUpdate: (v) => (sprite.x = v),
+});
+```
 
-const animEngineTicker = getTicker();
+### Smooth clamp
 
-// Call once per frame from your game loop
-function gameLoop(deltaMs: number) {
-  animEngineTicker.update(deltaMs);
-  // ... physics, rendering
-}
+```ts
+const clamp = createSmoothClamp(45);
+clamp(1000); // ≈ 44.96 (asymptotic to 45)
 ```
 
-**Stop:** Call `getTicker().stop()` or `animEngineTicker.stop()` to clean up the rAF loop.
+---
 
 ## Easing
 
-31 Penner easing functions plus custom cubic bezier:
+31 named presets plus custom cubic bezier:
 
 ```ts
-import { cubicBezier, EASE_NAMES } from "anim-engine";
+type EaseName =
+  | "linear" | "inQuad" | "outQuad" | "inOutQuad"
+  | "inCubic" | "outCubic" | "inOutCubic"
+  | "inQuart" | "outQuart" | "inOutQuart"
+  | "inQuint" | "outQuint" | "inOutQuint"
+  | "inSine" | "outSine" | "inOutSine"
+  | "inExpo" | "outExpo" | "inOutExpo"
+  | "inCirc" | "outCirc" | "inOutCirc"
+  | "inBack" | "outBack" | "inOutBack"
+  | "inElastic" | "outElastic" | "inOutElastic"
+  | "inBounce" | "outBounce" | "inOutBounce"
+
+type EaseFunction = (t: number) => number
+```
 
-const customEase = cubicBezier(0.25, 0.1, 0.25, 1); // custom easing function
+Custom bezier:
 
-// Use it anywhere you'd use an ease name
-const anim = createAnimation({
-  from: 0,
-  to: 100,
-  durationMs: 1000,
-  ease: customEase,
-  onUpdate: (v) => (sprite.x = v),
-});
+```ts
+const ease = cubicBezier(0.25, 0.1, 0.25, 1);
+createAnimation({ from: 0, to: 100, durationMs: 1000, ease, ... });
 ```
 
-You can pass the result directly to any `ease` option — it's an `EaseFunction`, just like the named presets.
-
-**Supported ease names:** `linear`, `inQuad`, `outQuad`, `inOutQuad`, `inCubic`, `outCubic`, `inOutCubic`, `inQuart`, `outQuart`, `inOutQuart`, `inQuint`, `outQuint`, `inOutQuint`, `inSine`, `outSine`, `inOutSine`, `inExpo`, `outExpo`, `inOutExpo`, `inCirc`, `outCirc`, `inOutCirc`, `inBack`, `outBack`, `inOutBack`, `inElastic`, `outElastic`, `inOutElastic`, `inBounce`, `outBounce`, `inOutBounce`.
+---
 
 ## Dynamic values
 
-The `DynamicValue` type (`number | (() => number)`) lets you provide values that are resolved at runtime. How often they're resolved depends on the primitive:
+`DynamicValue` (`number | (() => number)`) is resolved at different frequencies depending on the primitive:
 
-### Timed animations (per-play)
-
-In `createAnimation` — tweens and keyframes — all dynamic values are resolved **once when `play()` is called** and cached for the duration of that run. The frame-hot update path reads from the cache with zero overhead:
+- **Timed animations** — resolved once per `play()` call and cached for the run.
+- **Continuous primitives** — resolved every frame (targets are live).
 
 ```ts
-const anim = createAnimation({
-  from: () => getLayoutStart(),
-  to: () => getLayoutEnd(),
-  durationMs: () => 500 / speedMultiplier,
-  keyframes: [
-    { at: 0, value: 0 },
-    { at: () => scrollHeight * 0.3, value: 50 },
-    { at: () => scrollHeight, value: 100 },
-  ],
-});
-
-// Values resolved here, cached for duration
-await anim.play();
+// Resolved at play time, cached for duration
+createAnimation({
+  from: () => getX(),
+  durationMs: () => 500 / speed,
+  keyframes: [{ value: 0 }, { value: () => targetY, gap: 300 }],
+}).play();
 
-// On re-play, values are re-resolved
-await anim.play();
+// Resolved every frame
+createSpring({ to: () => mouseX, ... });
 ```
 
-This means `from`, `to`, `durationMs`, `keyframe.at`, and `keyframe.value` are all evaluated at play time and remain stable throughout the animation. If you need truly per-frame dynamic values, that's the domain of continuous primitives.
+---
 
-### Continuous primitives (per-frame)
+## Color
 
-In `createSpring`, `createSmoothDamp`, and `createLerp`, dynamic values are resolved **every frame** — these primitives are designed to chase live targets:
+Oklab (perceptually uniform) color interpolation via `lerpRgba`.
 
 ```ts
-const spring = createSpring({
-  to: () => getMousePosition(), // re-read every frame
-  stiffness: () => sliderValue, // dynamic stiffness
-  damping: () => dampingValue,
+const from = hexToRgba("#ff6b6b");  // [1, 0.42, 0.42, 1]
+const to = hexToRgba("#4ecdc4");
+
+createAnimation({
+  from: 0, to: 1, durationMs: 2000,
+  onUpdate: (t) => {
+    const [r, g, b, a] = lerpRgba(from, to, t);
+    sprite.setColor(r, g, b, a);
+  },
 });
 ```
 
-This distinction reflects the two use-cases: timed animations describe a fixed motion path evaluated at start, while continuous primitives describe ongoing behaviour that adapts to changing input.
-
-## Benchmarks
+Accepts `#RGB`, `#RGBA`, `#RRGGBB`, `#RRGGBBAA` formats.
 
-Performance comparison against GSAP (vitest bench, Apple Silicon M-series, Node 24). All easing functions are matched between libraries.
+---
 
-### vs GSAP internal mutation
+## Ticker
 
-GSAP defaults to mutating target properties directly. This is faster than dispatching callbacks but couples GSAP to the mutation pattern. Anim-engine always dispatches via `onUpdate` (renderer-agnostic).
+Does **not** auto-start. Explicit control:
 
-| Benchmark                                     | anim-engine  | GSAP         | Ratio       |
-| --------------------------------------------- | ------------ | ------------ | ----------- |
-| **Single tween** (cubic, 1000 frames)         | 40,814 ops/s | 10,776 ops/s | 3.8× faster |
-| **Single tween** (linear, 1000 frames)        | 28,590 ops/s | 14,499 ops/s | 2.0× faster |
-| **Single tween** (cubic bezier, 1000 frames)  | 21,449 ops/s | 12,637 ops/s | 1.7× faster |
-| **Keyframe** (3 segments, 1000 frames)        | 26,741 ops/s | 3,549 ops/s  | 7.5× faster |
-| **50 concurrent tweens** (500 frames)         | 892 ops/s    | 438 ops/s    | 2.0× faster |
-| **200 concurrent tweens** (500 frames)        | 200 ops/s    | 106 ops/s    | 1.9× faster |
-| **1000 concurrent tweens** (500 frames)       | 38 ops/s     | 22 ops/s     | 1.7× faster |
-| **50 concurrent keyframes** (500 frames)      | 934 ops/s    | 174 ops/s    | 5.4× faster |
-| **50-layer timeline** (staggered, 500 frames) | 710 ops/s    | 404 ops/s    | 1.8× faster |
-| **50 tweens re-play** (2 cycles, 500 frames)  | 558 ops/s    | 128 ops/s    | 4.4× faster |
+```ts
+import { getTicker } from "anim-engine";
 
-### vs GSAP onUpdate (fair comparison)
+// rAF mode
+getTicker().start();
 
-gsap also supports `onUpdate` callbacks, which is equivalent to anim-engine's renderer-agnostic model. This is the apples-to-apples comparison.
+// Custom game loop
+const ticker = getTicker();
+function loop(dt: number) {
+  ticker.update(dt);
+}
+```
 
-| Benchmark                              | anim-engine  | GSAP (onUpdate) | Ratio       |
-| -------------------------------------- | ------------ | --------------- | ----------- |
-| **Single tween** (cubic, 1000 frames)  | 40,814 ops/s | 6,618 ops/s     | 6.2× faster |
-| **50 concurrent tweens** (500 frames)  | 892 ops/s    | 273 ops/s       | 3.3× faster |
-| **200 concurrent tweens** (500 frames) | 200 ops/s    | 66 ops/s        | 3.0× faster |
+Stop with `getTicker().stop()`.
 
-Run locally: `npm run bench`
+---
 
 ## Game engine integration
 
 ### PixiJS
 
 ```ts
-import { Application, Sprite } from "pixi.js";
 import { createAnimation, getTicker } from "anim-engine";
+const ticker = getTicker();
 
-const app = new Application();
-await app.init({ width: 800, height: 600 });
-
-const sprite = Sprite.from("texture.png");
-app.stage.addChild(sprite);
+app.ticker.add((delta) => ticker.update(delta.deltaMS));
 
-// Sync anim-engine ticker to PixiJS ticker
-const animEngineTicker = getTicker();
-app.ticker.add((delta) => {
-  animEngineTicker.update(delta.deltaMS);
-});
-
-createAnimation({
-  from: 0,
-  to: 300,
-  durationMs: 2000,
-  ease: "outElastic",
+createAnimation({ from: 0, to: 300, durationMs: 2000, ease: "outElastic",
   onUpdate: (x) => (sprite.x = x),
 }).play();
 ```
@@ -593,95 +433,39 @@ createAnimation({
 ### ThreeJS
 
 ```ts
-import * as THREE from "three";
-import { createAnimation, getTicker, createSmoothDamp } from "anim-engine";
-
-const scene = new THREE.Scene();
-const camera = new THREE.PerspectiveCamera(75, innerWidth / innerHeight, 0.1, 1000);
-const renderer = new THREE.WebGLRenderer();
-
-const mesh = new THREE.Mesh(
-  new THREE.BoxGeometry(),
-  new THREE.MeshStandardMaterial({ color: "#667eea" }),
-);
-scene.add(mesh);
-
-const animEngineTicker = getTicker();
 const clock = new THREE.Clock();
+const ticker = getTicker();
 
 function animate() {
   requestAnimationFrame(animate);
-  animEngineTicker.update(clock.getDelta() * 1000);
+  ticker.update(clock.getDelta() * 1000);
   renderer.render(scene, camera);
 }
 animate();
-
-createAnimation({
-  from: 0,
-  to: Math.PI * 2,
-  durationMs: 3000,
-  ease: "inOutCubic",
-  onUpdate: (angle) => (mesh.rotation.y = angle),
-}).play();
 ```
 
-### Custom game loop
+---
 
-```ts
-import { getTicker, createSpring } from "anim-engine";
+## Benchmarks
 
-const animEngineTicker = getTicker();
+vs GSAP (vitest bench, Apple Silicon M-series, Node 24). Matched easing functions.
 
-function gameLoop(timestamp: number) {
-  const deltaMs = timestamp - lastTimestamp;
-  lastTimestamp = timestamp;
+| Benchmark | anim-engine | GSAP | Ratio |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| Single tween (cubic, 1000 frames) | 40,814 ops/s | 10,776 ops/s | 3.8× |
+| Single tween (bezier, 1000 frames) | 21,449 ops/s | 12,637 ops/s | 1.7× |
+| Keyframe (3 segments, 1000 frames) | 26,741 ops/s | 3,549 ops/s | 7.5× |
+| 50 concurrent tweens (500 frames) | 892 ops/s | 438 ops/s | 2.0× |
+| 200 concurrent tweens (500 frames) | 200 ops/s | 106 ops/s | 1.9× |
+| 1000 concurrent tweens (500 frames) | 38 ops/s | 22 ops/s | 1.7× |
+| 50-layer timeline (500 frames) | 710 ops/s | 404 ops/s | 1.8× |
+| 50 tweens re-play (500 frames) | 558 ops/s | 128 ops/s | 4.4× |
 
-  animEngineTicker.update(deltaMs);
-  // ... physics, rendering, etc.
+vs GSAP `onUpdate` (apples-to-apples): **3.0–6.2× faster**.
 
-  requestAnimationFrame(gameLoop);
-}
-requestAnimationFrame(gameLoop);
-```
+Run locally: `npm run bench`
 
-## API Reference
-
-### Functions
-
-| Export                             | Description                         |
-| ---------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
-| `createAnimation(options)`         | Timed or keyframe animation         |
-| `createTimeline(layers, options?)` | Composited timeline of animations   |
-| `createSpring(options)`            | Physics spring (Verlet integration) |
-| `createSmoothDamp(options)`        | Unity-style smooth damp             |
-| `createLerp(options)`              | Exponential lerp chase              |
-| `createSmoothClamp(threshold)`     | Asymptotic clamp factory            |
-| `getTicker()`                      | Singleton ticker                    |
-| `cubicBezier(p1x, p1y, p2x, p2y)`  | Custom cubic bezier easing          |
-| `lerpRgba(from, to, t)`            | Oklab color interpolation           |
-| `hexToRgba(hex)`                   | Parse hex color to normalized RGBA  |
-
-### Type exports
-
-| Type                       | Description                                                                                                             |
-| -------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| `Animation`                | `play`, `pause`, `resume`, `stop`, `skipToEnd`, `kill`, `setProgress`, `currentValue`, `velocity`, `progress`, `status` |
-| `Interpolation`            | `start`, `stop`, `kill`, `setCurrentValue`, `currentValue`, `velocity`, `status`                                        |
-| `Timeline`                 | `play`, `pause`, `resume`, `stop`, `skipToEnd`, `kill`, `setProgress`, `progress`, `status`                             |
-| `EaseName`                 | Union of 31 ease name strings                                                                                           |
-| `EaseFunction`             | `(t: number) => number`                                                                                                 |
-| `DynamicValue`             | `number \| (() => number)`                                                                                              |
-| `AnimationStatus`          | `"playing" \| "paused" \| "stopped" \| "dead"` (for `Animation` / `Timeline`)                                           |
-| `InterpolationStatus`      | `"active" \| "inactive" \| "dead"` (for `Interpolation`)                                                                |
-| `AnimationOptions`         | Single tween or keyframe animation options (discriminated union)                                                        |
-| `Keyframe`                 | `{ value, gap?, ease? }`                                                                                                |
-| `KeyframeAnimationOptions` | `{ keyframes: Keyframe[], onStarted?, onUpdate?, onProgress?, onEnded? }`                                               |
-| `TimelineLayer`            | `{ animation: KeyframeAnimationOptions; at: DynamicValue } \| { animation: KeyframeAnimationOptions; gap: number }`     |
-| `SpringOptions`            | `to`, `stiffness`, `damping`, `mass`, `precision?`, `onUpdate`, `onEnded`                                               |
-| `SmoothDampOptions`        | `to`, `smoothTimeMs`, `maxSpeed?`, `precision?`, `onUpdate`, `onEnded`                                                  |
-| `LerpOptions`              | `to`, `smoothTimeMs`, `precision?`, `onUpdate`, `onEnded`                                                               |
-| `RgbaTuple`                | `readonly [number, number, number, number]`                                                                             |
-| `Ticker`                   | `start`, `stop`, `update`, `add`, `remove`                                                                              |
+---
 
 ## License