# Relative time

Subtle web animation sketch from [https://mighil.com/animations](https://mighil.com/animations).

- **Live demo:** https://mighil.com/animations/relative-time
- **Standalone HTML:** https://mighil.com/animations/relative-time?download=1
- **This file:** https://mighil.com/animations/relative-time/relative-time.md
- **Technique:** `freshness`

## What it does

just now turns into 1m ago on its own.

## Instructions for AI / coding agents

Implement this micro-interaction in the user's stack (vanilla HTML, React, Vue, Svelte, etc.).

1. Use the **HTML** as the DOM structure (adapt JSX/templates as needed; keep class names and ids).
2. Include the **Theme** CSS (or map the same variables into the host design system). It switches light/dark with `prefers-color-scheme`.
3. Apply the **CSS** as-is when possible. It uses `var(--text-color)`, `var(--heading-color)`, `var(--background-color)`, etc. from the theme so both modes work.
4. Run the **JavaScript** after the markup mounts. Prefer `DOMContentLoaded` or a framework `useEffect` / `onMount`.
5. Keep motion respectful of `prefers-reduced-motion` if the snippet already checks it.
6. Do not depend on mighil.com runtime or fonts. Theme variables are enough for color.
7. If porting to a component, expose the interactive root via a ref and preserve accessibility attributes (`aria-*`, `role`, `button` types).

## Theme (auto light / dark)

```css
/* Auto light / dark — follows prefers-color-scheme */
:root{
  color-scheme: light dark;
  --text-color: hsl(0, 0%, 18%);
  --heading-color: hsl(0, 0%, 18%);
  --background-color: hsl(0, 0%, 99%);
  --bg-color: hsl(0, 0%, 99%);
  --link-color: hsl(0, 0%, 18%);
  --visited-color: hsl(0, 0%, 18%);
  --blockquote-color: hsl(0, 0%, 18%);
  --code-bg-color: hsl(0, 0%, 95%);
  --code-color: hsl(0, 0%, 18%);
  --sub-color: hsl(0, 0%, 29%);
}
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark){
:root{
  --text-color: hsl(35, 25%, 85%);
  --heading-color: hsl(35.2, 32.6%, 82.5%);
  --background-color: hsl(60, 2.2%, 8.8%);
  --bg-color: hsl(60, 2.2%, 8.8%);
  --link-color: hsl(34.7, 55.3%, 79.8%);
  --visited-color: hsla(34.7, 55.3%, 79.8%, 0.85);
  --blockquote-color: hsl(35, 30%, 75%);
  --code-bg-color: hsl(30, 5%, 7.8%);
  --code-color: limegreen;
  --sub-color: hsla(34.7, 24.7%, 84.9%, 0.78);
}
}
```

## HTML

```html
<div class="rel-time is-live" id="rel-time" aria-live="polite">
        <i class="rel-dot" aria-hidden="true"></i>
        <span class="rel-label" id="rel-label">just now</span>
      </div>
```

## CSS

```css
@keyframes wave-bob{
  0%,100%{transform:scaleY(.4)}
  50%{transform:scaleY(1)}
}

@keyframes rel-pulse{0%,100%{transform:scale(1);opacity:.5}50%{transform:scale(1.25);opacity:1}}

.wave.is-live span{animation:wave-bob var(--d,1s) ease-in-out infinite;opacity:.95}

.rel-time{
  display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;
  font-size:.9rem;font-variant-numeric:tabular-nums;
  color:color-mix(in srgb,var(--text-color) 65%,transparent);
}

.rel-time .rel-dot{
  width:7px;height:7px;border-radius:50%;background:currentColor;opacity:.45;
}

.rel-time.is-live .rel-dot{animation:rel-pulse 1.6s ease-in-out infinite;opacity:.9}

.rel-time .rel-label{min-width:4.5em;transition:opacity .25s ease,transform .3s ease}

.rel-time.is-tick .rel-label{opacity:0;transform:translateY(4px)}

.deploy-node.is-done,.deploy-node.is-live{color:inherit}

.deploy-node.is-done i,.deploy-node.is-live i{
  background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--text-color) 55%,transparent);
  border-color:transparent;transform:scale(1);
}

.deploy-node.is-live{color:color-mix(in srgb,#2a8 80%,var(--text-color))}

.deploy-node.is-live i{background:color-mix(in srgb,#2a8 75%,transparent)}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){
  .breath-dot,.breath-ring,.wave.is-live span,.ink-drop,
  .marquee-track,
  .skel-line,.save-btn.is-loading .spin,.badge.is-bump,.like-btn.is-pop,.save-status.is-saving .dot,.stars button.is-pop svg,
  .field.is-invalid input,.save-btn.is-done .check path,.ux-check[aria-checked="true"] .ux-box path,.char-meta.is-warn,.success-banner.is-on path,
  .typing span,.conn-dot,.indet > i,.toast.is-on .toast-timer > i,.stagger-list.is-in .stagger-item,.submit-wrap.is-loading .submit-ring rect,.submit-wrap.is-settle,.hold-btn.is-settle,.confirm-btn.is-settle,.sync-btn.is-settle,.invite-btn.is-settle,.retry-btn.is-shake-err,.retry-btn.is-shake-ok,.cart-badge.is-pop,.mute-btn .x-line,.presence.is-ping .presence-dot::after,.tag-chip,.nudge-field.is-nudge,.tilt-scene:hover .tilt-tile::before,.demo-replay.is-tap,.hit.is-tap,.stack-toggle.is-tap,.nudge-btn.is-tap,.wipe.is-tap,.save-btn.is-tap,.copy-btn.is-tap,.like-btn.is-tap,.pin-btn.is-tap,.retry-btn.is-tap,.wizard-nav button.is-tap,.mute-btn.is-tap,
  .scan:hover::after,.scan.is-on::after,.cascade.is-in b,.stepper-val.is-bump,.otp input.is-pop,.rel-time.is-live .rel-dot,.sync-btn.is-spin .sync-arrows,.ok-field.is-ok .ok-check path,.unread-row.is-read .unread-check path,.mic-btn.is-on::before,.mic-btn.is-on::after,.ghost-wrap.is-flash,.cmd-palette li.is-run,.flag-row.is-warn,.mention.is-flash b{animation:none!important}
}
```

## JavaScript

```js
// Relative time
  const relTime = document.getElementById('rel-time');
  const relLabel = document.getElementById('rel-label');
  let relTimers = [];
  function runRelTime() {
    if (!relTime || !relLabel) return;
    relTimers.forEach(clearTimeout);
    relTimers = [];
    relTime.classList.add('is-live');
    const steps = ['just now', '30s ago', '1m ago', '2m ago'];
    let i = 0;
    relLabel.textContent = steps[0];
    const next = () => {
      i += 1;
      if (i >= steps.length) {
        relTime.classList.remove('is-live');
        return;
      }
      relTime.classList.add('is-tick');
      relTimers.push(setTimeout(() => {
        relLabel.textContent = steps[i];
        relTime.classList.remove('is-tick');
        relTimers.push(setTimeout(next, reduce ? 200 : 1400));
      }, reduce ? 0 : 220));
    };
    relTimers.push(setTimeout(next, reduce ? 200 : 1600));
  }
  runRelTime();

document.querySelectorAll('[data-act]').forEach((btn) => {
    btn.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
      e.stopPropagation();
      const act = btn.getAttribute('data-act');
      if (act === 'reltime') runRelTime();
    });
  });
```

---

_Source: https://mighil.com/animations/relative-time_