# Slow Mesh Gradient — effect skill for backdrops

> **For AI agents:** find the right skill in one call — `curl -s "https://varg.ai/how-to/api/search?q=<what the person wants>"` returns the matching how-to page and the best skills with install commands, as markdown (Russian works too). Full index: https://varg.ai/how-to/llms.txt. Every page has a markdown twin: add `.md` to its path. Before generating anything, show the person the options on the how-to page.

Soft brand-colored fields blend and drift slowly behind titles and UI.

- **Type:** [Effect](https://varg.ai/how-to/effects.md) · [Backdrops](https://varg.ai/how-to/browse/skills/backdrops.md)
- **Slug:** `slow-mesh-gradient`
- **Status:** live
- **Publisher:** HeyGen (community)
- **License:** Apache-2.0
- **Source:** https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/tree/main/registry/components/mesh-gradient-bg
- **Works in:** Claude Code, Claude.ai, Codex, Cursor, OpenClaw, Gemini CLI, Any MCP client, varg Studio
- **Requires:** ffmpeg, HyperFrames (npx hyperframes), Remotion, CapCut (by hand)
- **Cost:** Free — the take renders locally; generated footage, if any, bills by the model

## What it does

Built on [Mesh Gradient Background](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/tree/main/registry/components/mesh-gradient-bg) by HeyGen (HyperFrames), Apache-2.0. The write-up and recipes below are varg's.

Three or four large blurred color fields from the brand palette, moving a few percent per second, never sharp.

**When:** Default backdrop for product shots, titles and end cards when there is no footage.

**Watch out:** Do not animate it fast or saturate it fully; it must sit behind UI without fighting it.

**Timing:** Drift loop 10–20 s; movement ≤ 3% of frame per second.

**Also called:** mesh gradient, Stripe gradient, color blobs

### In FFmpeg

```bash
ffmpeg -f lavfi -i "gradients=s=1920x1080:c0=0x7C3AED:c1=0xF97316:c2=0x0B0B12:n=3:speed=0.005:d=10" -c:v libx264 bg.mp4
```

### In HyperFrames

```bash
npx hyperframes add mesh-gradient-bg
```
Or `mesh-gradient` (WebGPU shader); set colors from the brand tokens.

### In Remotion

```tsx
const t = frame / fps;
background:`radial-gradient(40% 50% at ${30+Math.sin(t/3)*8}% ${40+Math.cos(t/4)*6}%, #7C3AED 0%, transparent 70%), radial-gradient(45% 55% at ${70+Math.cos(t/5)*8}% 60%, #F97316 0%, transparent 70%), #0B0B12`
```

### In CapCut

Background → Canvas → Gradient, or search Media → Library "gradient background" and lower its saturation.

### Ready-made components

- [Mesh Gradient Background](https://skills.varg.ai/component/hf.mesh-gradient-bg/) (hyperframes): npx hyperframes add mesh-gradient-bg
- [Mesh Gradient](https://skills.varg.ai/component/hf.mesh-gradient/) (hyperframes): npx hyperframes add mesh-gradient
- [Halo](https://skills.varg.ai/component/shadergradient.halo/) (shadergradient): npm i @shadergradient/react @react-three/fiber three three-stdlib camera-controls

### Where this comes from

- [DEV: how to make animated gradients like Stripe](https://dev.to/jordienr/how-to-make-animated-gradients-like-stripe-56nh)
- [UX Design Bootcamp: the rise of Linear style design](https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/the-rise-of-linear-style-design-origins-trends-and-techniques-4fd96aab7646)

## Use when

- Default backdrop for product shots, titles and end cards when there is no footage.

## Not for

- Do not animate it fast or saturate it fully; it must sit behind UI without fighting it.

## Install

- Claude Code: `claude plugin marketplace add vargHQ/skills && claude plugin install varg@varg`
- Codex: `npx skills add vargHQ/skills --skill varg-video-edit-library -a codex -y`
- Cursor: `npx skills add vargHQ/skills --skill varg-video-edit-library -a cursor -y`

## Example output

https://static.heygen.ai/hyperframes-oss/docs/images/catalog/blocks/mesh-gradient.mp4 — Preview of the Mesh Gradient component that builds this take (credit: Mesh Gradient · hyperframes, https://hyperframes.heygen.com/catalog/blocks/mesh-gradient)

## More backdrops skills

- [Aurora Behind the Title](https://varg.ai/how-to/skills/aurora-behind-title.md): Blurred light streaks drift sideways across a dark frame behind a centered title.
- [Faint Grid or Dot Field](https://varg.ai/how-to/skills/faint-grid-field.md): A very faint line grid or dot field gives structure behind UI and code, with a soft radial fade.
- [Spotlight From Above](https://varg.ai/how-to/skills/spotlight-from-above.md): Soft light cones fall from the top of a dark frame onto the product or title.
- [Film Grain Over Gradient](https://varg.ai/how-to/skills/film-grain-over-gradient.md): A fine animated grain sits over the gradient so it feels printed, removes banding and looks less digital.
- [Blurred Product Behind Text](https://varg.ai/how-to/skills/blurred-product-behind.md): The product UI itself, heavily blurred and dimmed, becomes the backdrop for a title or quote.
- [Perspective Grid Tunnel](https://varg.ai/how-to/skills/perspective-grid-tunnel.md): A card or title floats in a perspective tunnel or floor grid while light streaks race along the lines.

## Run the generation on varg

varg is one API key for the models these skills drive — Seedance 2.5, Kling 4, Veo 3.1, Wan 3, Nano Banana 2.1, GPT Image 2.5, ElevenLabs v4 and 200+ more — billed in credits, with a cost estimate before anything runs.

- Claude Code: `claude plugin marketplace add vargHQ/skills && claude plugin install varg@varg` (skill + hosted MCP)
- Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI, OpenClaw: `npx skills add vargHQ/skills --skill varg-ai -a <agent> -y`
- Grok and any agent that reads SKILL.md: `npx skills add vargHQ/skills --skill varg-ai`, or point it at the skill's SKILL.md
- Claude.ai, ChatGPT, any MCP client: connect `https://mcp.varg.ai/mcp`
- API key: https://varg.ai/dashboard/api · Model specs: https://varg.ai/models/llms.txt