# Skeleton
[component-header:sl-skeleton]
Skeletons are used to show where content will eventually be drawn.
These are simple containers for scaffolding layouts that mimic what users will see when content has finished loading. This prevents large areas of empty space during asynchronous operations.
Skeletons try not to be opinionated, as there are endless possibilities for designing layouts. Therefore, you'll likely use more than one skeleton to create the effect you want. If you find yourself using them frequently, consider creating a template that renders them with the desired arrangement and styles.
```html preview
```
```jsx react
import { SlSkeleton } from '@shoelace-style/shoelace/dist/react';
const css = `
.skeleton-overview header {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.skeleton-overview header sl-skeleton:last-child {
flex: 0 0 auto;
width: 30%;
}
.skeleton-overview sl-skeleton {
margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.skeleton-overview sl-skeleton:nth-child(1) {
float: left;
width: 3rem;
height: 3rem;
margin-right: 1rem;
vertical-align: middle;
}
.skeleton-overview sl-skeleton:nth-child(3) {
width: 95%;
}
.skeleton-overview sl-skeleton:nth-child(4) {
width: 80%;
}
`;
const App = () => (
<>
>
);
```
## Examples
### Effects
There are two built-in effects, `sheen` and `pulse`. Effects are intentionally subtle, as they can be distracting when used extensively. The default is `none`, which displays a static, non-animated skeleton.
```html preview
None
Sheen
Pulse
```
```jsx react
import { SlSkeleton } from '@shoelace-style/shoelace/dist/react';
const css = `
.skeleton-effects {
font-size: var(--sl-font-size-small);
}
.skeleton-effects sl-skeleton:not(:first-child) {
margin-top: 1rem;
}
`;
const App = () => (
<>
None
Sheen
Pulse
>
);
```
### Paragraphs
Use multiple skeletons and some clever styles to simulate paragraphs.
```html preview
```
```jsx react
import { SlSkeleton } from '@shoelace-style/shoelace/dist/react';
const css = `
.skeleton-paragraphs sl-skeleton {
margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.skeleton-paragraphs sl-skeleton:nth-child(2) {
width: 95%;
}
.skeleton-paragraphs sl-skeleton:nth-child(4) {
width: 90%;
}
.skeleton-paragraphs sl-skeleton:last-child {
width: 50%;
}
`;
const App = () => (
<>
>
);
```
### Avatars
Set a matching width and height to make a circle, square, or rounded avatar skeleton.
```html preview
```
```jsx react
import { SlSkeleton } from '@shoelace-style/shoelace/dist/react';
const css = `
.skeleton-avatars sl-skeleton {
display: inline-block;
width: 3rem;
height: 3rem;
margin-right: .5rem;
}
.skeleton-avatars sl-skeleton:nth-child(1) {
--border-radius: 0;
}
.skeleton-avatars sl-skeleton:nth-child(2) {
--border-radius: var(--sl-border-radius-medium);
}
`;
const App = () => (
<>
>
);
```
### Custom Shapes
Use the `--border-radius` custom property to make circles, squares, and rectangles. For more complex shapes, you can apply `clip-path` to the `indicator` part. [Try Clippy](https://bennettfeely.com/clippy/) if you need help generating custom shapes.
```html preview
```
```jsx react
import { SlSkeleton } from '@shoelace-style/shoelace/dist/react';
const css = `
.skeleton-shapes sl-skeleton {
display: inline-flex;
width: 50px;
height: 50px;
}
.skeleton-shapes .square::part(indicator) {
--border-radius: var(--sl-border-radius-medium);
}
.skeleton-shapes .circle::part(indicator) {
--border-radius: var(--sl-border-radius-circle);
}
.skeleton-shapes .triangle::part(indicator) {
--border-radius: 0;
clip-path: polygon(50% 0, 0 100%, 100% 100%);
}
.skeleton-shapes .cross::part(indicator) {
--border-radius: 0;
clip-path: polygon(20% 0%, 0% 20%, 30% 50%, 0% 80%, 20% 100%, 50% 70%, 80% 100%, 100% 80%, 70% 50%, 100% 20%, 80% 0%, 50% 30%);
}
.skeleton-shapes .comment::part(indicator) {
--border-radius: 0;
clip-path: polygon(0% 0%, 100% 0%, 100% 75%, 75% 75%, 75% 100%, 50% 75%, 0% 75%);
}
.skeleton-shapes sl-skeleton:not(:last-child) {
margin-right: .5rem;
}
`;
const App = () => (
<>
>
);
```
### Custom Colors
Set the `--color` and `--sheen-color` custom properties to adjust the skeleton's color.
```html preview
```
```jsx react
import { SlSkeleton } from '@shoelace-style/shoelace/dist/react';
const css = `
.skeleton-avatars sl-skeleton {
display: inline-block;
width: 3rem;
height: 3rem;
margin-right: .5rem;
}
.skeleton-avatars sl-skeleton:nth-child(1) {
--border-radius: 0;
}
.skeleton-avatars sl-skeleton:nth-child(2) {
--border-radius: var(--sl-border-radius-medium);
}
`;
const App = () => ;
```
[component-metadata:sl-skeleton]