---
name: dev-patterns-mobile-haptics
description: Haptic feedback patterns for mobile games using Vibration API. Use when adding tactile feedback.
category: patterns
---

# Mobile Haptics

> "Haptic feedback transforms flat screens into tactile experiences."

## When to Use

Use when:
- Building mobile/touch controls
- Adding game feel to actions
- Providing feedback for UI interactions
- Enhancing immersion on mobile devices

## Quick Start

```tsx
// Simple vibration feedback
function triggerHaptic(duration = 10) {
  if ('vibrate' in navigator) {
    navigator.vibrate(duration);
  }
}

// Usage
<button onClick={() => triggerHaptic(10)}>Tap</button>
```

## Browser Support

| Browser | Android | iOS | Notes |
| ------- | ------- | ----- | ----- |
| Chrome | ✅ Full | ❌ No | Full Vibration API support |
| Firefox | ✅ Full | ❌ No | Full Vibration API support |
| Safari | ✅ Full | ❌ No | Desktop only |
| Edge | ✅ Full | ❌ No | Chromium-based |

**iOS Note**: iOS does NOT support the Vibration API. Use Taptic Engine feedback via native wrappers (Capacitor, React Native) for iOS.

## Tap Feedback (UI Interactions)

```tsx
// Light tap for button presses
function tapFeedback() {
  navigator.vibrate(10); // 10ms - very subtle
}

// Medium tap for toggle switches
function toggleFeedback() {
  navigator.vibrate(25); // 25ms - noticeable
}

// Heavy tap for confirm actions
function confirmFeedback() {
  navigator.vibrate(50); // 50ms - strong
}
```

## Impact Patterns (Game Actions)

```tsx
// Light impact - shooting, collecting items
function lightImpact() {
  navigator.vibrate(15);
}

// Medium impact - jumping, landing
function mediumImpact() {
  navigator.vibrate(30);
}

// Heavy impact - explosions, damage
function heavyImpact() {
  navigator.vibrate([50, 30, 50]); // Pattern: hit, pause, hit
}
```

## Success Pattern

```tsx
// Success - triple tap pattern
function successHaptic() {
  navigator.vibrate([10, 50, 10, 50, 10]);
}

// Level complete - ascending pattern
function levelCompleteHaptic() {
  navigator.vibrate([10, 50, 20, 50, 30]);
}
```

## Error Pattern

```tsx
// Error - double tap
function errorHaptic() {
  navigator.vibrate([50, 100, 50]);
}

// Deny - single long pulse
function denyHaptic() {
  navigator.vibrate(100);
}
```

## Game-Specific Patterns

```tsx
// Shooting feedback
function shootFeedback() {
  navigator.vibrate(15);
}

// Empty ammo click
function emptyClickFeedback() {
  navigator.vibrate([10, 30, 10]);
}

// Light damage
function lightDamageFeedback() {
  navigator.vibrate(25);
}

// Heavy damage
function heavyDamageFeedback() {
  navigator.vibrate([80, 20, 80]);
}

// Death/respawn
function deathFeedback() {
  navigator.vibrate([100, 50, 100, 50, 200]);
}
```

## Movement Feedback

```tsx
// Footsteps - subtle, rhythmic
let stepCount = 0;
function stepFeedback() {
  // Only vibrate every 3rd step
  if (stepCount % 3 === 0) {
    navigator.vibrate(5);
  }
  stepCount++;
}

// Jump
function jumpFeedback() {
  navigator.vibrate([10, 20, 30]); // Ascending pattern
}

// Landing
function landFeedback() {
  const intensity = Math.min(fallDistance / 10, 1);
  navigator.vibrate(20 + intensity * 40);
}
```

## Best Practices

1. **Don't overuse** - Too much vibration desensitizes users
2. **Match action intensity** - Heavy actions = stronger haptics
3. **Consider battery** - Haptics consume battery
4. **Provide settings** - Allow users to disable or adjust intensity
5. **Test on devices** - Emulators don't show haptics

## Reference

- **[dev-patterns-ui-animations](references/upstream/85434e1926dd5b29-SKILL.md)** — UI animation patterns


---
Source attribution: feliperyba
Original project: https://github.com/feliperyba/ralph-orchestra/blob/7a74951367fe9bec093753f6eaa4d0eeda9428e5/.claude/skills/dev-patterns-mobile-haptics/SKILL.md
License: MIT
License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit
Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Dave AI.

## Upstream license notice

MIT License

Copyright (c) 2026 feliperyba

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.



# Dave AI resource metadata

Creator / publisher: feliperyba
Original project: https://github.com/feliperyba/ralph-orchestra/blob/7a74951367fe9bec093753f6eaa4d0eeda9428e5/.claude/skills/dev-patterns-mobile-haptics/SKILL.md
Attribution basis: Recovered original package and original project license at a pinned revision

Fields of work: Design, Development & Engineering
Roles: Game Developer, Mobile Developer, UX Designer
Specialties: Mobile
Tools: Vibration Api
Country applicability: Country not specified
Classification basis: Source catalog labels
Instruction SHA-256: 76636ed7631ceda434e77a4f7641b11862980892564c81532d3d6d4c5c7f56a2
Metadata reviewed: 2026-10-27
This metadata supersedes earlier Dave AI catalog attribution. Original instruction and supporting files are preserved.