Implement Lenis Smooth Scroll

This skill guides you through adding buttery smooth scrolling to a React/Next.js application using @studio-freight/lenis (or the newer lenis package).

Prerequisites

A React or Next.js project.

Steps

1. Install Dependencies

Install the Lenis package.

npm install lenis
# OR depending on version preference
npm install @studio-freight/lenis

2. Create the Lenis Hook/Component

It's best to encapsulate Lenis in a reusable component or hook.

Option A: Global Component (Recommended for Next.js App Router) Create src/lib/lenis.ts or src/components/SmoothScroll.tsx.

// src/components/SmoothScroll.tsx
'use client'

import { ReactNode, useEffect } from 'react'
import Lenis from 'lenis'

export default function SmoothScroll({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
  useEffect(() => {
    const lenis = new Lenis({
      duration: 1.2,
      easing: (t) => Math.min(1, 1.001 - Math.pow(2, -10 * t)),
      orientation: 'vertical',
      gestureOrientation: 'vertical',
      smoothWheel: true,
    })

    function raf(time: number) {
      lenis.raf(time)
      requestAnimationFrame(raf)
    }

    requestAnimationFrame(raf)

    return () => {
      lenis.destroy()
    }
  }, [])

  return <>{children}</>
}

3. Integrate into Layout

Wrap your main application or layout content with the component.

Next.js App Router (layout.tsx):

import SmoothScroll from '@/components/SmoothScroll'

export default function RootLayout({ children }) {
  return (
    <html lang="en">
      <body>
        <SmoothScroll>
          {children}
        </SmoothScroll>
      </body>
    </html>
  )
}

Best Practices

Performance: Ensure requestAnimationFrame is optimized.
Scroll Restoration: Lenis usually handles this, but verify scrollRestoration works as expected in Next.js.

GSAP Integration: If using ScrollTrigger, ensure you update ScrollTrigger on Lenis scroll.

// Inside useEffect
// lenis.on('scroll', ScrollTrigger.update)
// gsap.ticker.add((time)=>{lenis.raf(time * 1000)})
// gsap.ticker.lagSmoothing(0)