Sequencing
Within a scene, sequencing controls when each element appears relative to the others.
Sequential (Default)
Each show waits for the previous element to finish its entrance before appearing. This is the default behavior — you do not need a keyword.
Scene "Steps"
show "First."
show "Second."
show "Third."
Explicit Sequential
then show makes the ordering intention explicit. It behaves identically to plain show but communicates intent more clearly.
Scene "Steps"
show "First."
then show "Second."
then show "Third."
Simultaneous
with show makes an element appear at the same time as the previous element.
Scene "Intro"
show "Welcome"
size: hero
with show "to the future."
size: subhead
color: muted
with is essential for composed layouts — a headline alongside a logo, a number next to its label, or a shape behind text.
Timed Pauses
beat inserts a pause between elements. It gives the audience time to absorb what they just read.
Scene "Reveal"
show "Something big"
size: title
beat 1.5s
show "is coming."
size: hero
A bare beat (no duration) uses the mood's default pause length. Beat durations are scaled by tempo — a beat 1s in rapid tempo is 0.6 seconds, in deliberate tempo it is 1.3 seconds.
Timed Entry
after places an element at a specific time offset from the scene start.
Scene "Timed"
show "Appears immediately."
after 3s show "Appears at the 3-second mark."
Next Steps
- Content Elements — what can be sequenced
- Tempo and Timing — how durations are calculated