> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://rive.app/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Listeners

> Respond to interactions, property changes, and events in your Rive file.

export const Demos = ({examples, runtime, columns = 2, children, childrenIndex = 0, learnByExample = false}) => {
  const examplesData = {
    accessibilityReducedMotion: {
      title: 'Reduced Motion Example',
      description: 'Strategies for respecting a user\'s reduced motion preferences.',
      riv: 'https://static.rive.app/rivs/accessibility_reduced_motion.riv',
      stateMachines: "State Machine 1",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/28077-accessibility-reduced-motion"
      }
    },
    randomizeExit: {
      title: 'Randomize Exit',
      description: 'Randomize Exit lets a state choose from its outgoing transition paths at random.',
      riv: 'https://static.rive.app/rivs/randomize_exit.riv',
      stateMachines: "State Machine 1",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/28147-randomize-exit/"
      }
    },
    ikConstraint: {
      title: 'IK Constraints',
      description: 'Check out this example to see IK constraints in action.',
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/ik-constraint.gif",
      stateMachines: "State Machine 1",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/28080-ik-constraint/"
      }
    },
    accessibilityReducedMotion: {
      title: 'Reduced Motion Example',
      description: 'Strategies for respecting a user\'s reduced motion preferences.',
      riv: 'https://static.rive.app/rivs/accessibility_reduced_motion.riv',
      stateMachines: "State Machine 1",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/28077-accessibility-reduced-motion"
      }
    },
    listenerExamples: {
      title: 'Listener Pointer Events',
      description: 'See each Listen To condition in action.',
      riv: 'https://static.rive.app/rivs/listen_to.riv ',
      stateMachines: "State Machine 1",
      artboard: "Artboard 1",
      layout: true,
      layoutScaleFactor: .8,
      links: {},
      source: ["https://rive.app/community/files/28817-listener-pointer-events/"]
    },
    cachingARiveFile: {
      title: 'Caching a Rive File',
      description: 'Load the .riv into memory once, use it multiple times.',
      riv: 'https://static.rive.app/rivs/rives_animated_emojis.riv',
      stateMachines: "State Machine 1",
      artboard: "Emoji_package",
      links: {
        web: "https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/rive-js-caching-a-rive-file-g675my?file=%2Fsrc%2Findex.ts%3A9%2C1",
        react: "https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/rive-react-caching-a-rive-file-53gmdf?file=%2Fsrc%2FApp.tsx"
      },
      source: ["https://rive.app/marketplace/24644-caching-a-rive-file-at-runtime/"]
    },
    dataBindingFonts: {
      title: 'Data Binding Fonts',
      description: 'Swap an font at runtime.',
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/data-binding-fonts.png",
      links: {
        web: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/cjt2tl?file=%2Findex.ts%3A37%2C41',
        react: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/rive-data-binding-fonts-glpm49?file=%2Fsrc%2FApp.tsx'
      },
      source: ["https://rive.app/community/files/28431-data-binding-fonts/"]
    },
    dataBindingArtboards: {
      title: 'Data Binding Artboards',
      description: 'Swap an artboard with another artboard from the same .riv or one loaded at runtime.',
      image: '/images/runtimes/rive-data-bind-components.webp',
      links: {
        web: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/rive-js-data-binding-artboards-jx3pf9?file=%2Fsrc%2Findex.mjs%3A5%2C19',
        react: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/rive-react-data-binding-artboards-kmvzh8?file=%2Fsrc%2FApp.tsx',
        flutter: 'https://github.com/rive-app/rive-flutter/blob/master/example/lib/examples/databinding_artboards.dart',
        reactNative: 'https://github.com/rive-app/rive-nitro-react-native/blob/main/example/src/demos/DataBindingArtboardsExample.tsx',
        android: "https://github.com/rive-app/rive-android/blob/master/app/src/main/java/app/rive/runtime/example/ComposeArtboardBindingActivity.kt"
      },
      source: ["https://rive.app/marketplace/24641-data-binding-artboards/", "https://rive.app/marketplace/24642-data-binding-artboards/"]
    },
    dataBindingImages: {
      title: 'Data Binding Images',
      description: 'Replace images at runtime using data binding images with javascript.',
      image: '/images/runtimes/rive-db-images.webp',
      links: {
        web: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/objective-cohen-sqwh9q?file=%2Fsrc%2Findex.ts',
        flutter: 'https://github.com/rive-app/rive-flutter/blob/master/example/lib/examples/databinding_images.dart',
        android: "https://github.com/rive-app/rive-android/blob/master/app/src/main/java/app/rive/runtime/example/ComposeImageBindingActivity.kt"
      },
      source: ["https://rive.app/marketplace/25472-data-binding-images/"]
    },
    dataBindingLists: {
      title: 'Data Binding Lists',
      description: 'Add, remove, edit, and swap items in your data binding list.',
      image: '/images/runtimes/rive-db-lists.webp',
      links: {
        web: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/suspicious-hertz-2lg4m8?file=%2Fsrc%2Findex.ts',
        react: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/rive-react-data-binding-lists-4msh9z?file=%2Fsrc%2FApp.tsx',
        flutter: 'https://github.com/rive-app/rive-flutter/blob/master/example/lib/examples/databinding_lists.dart',
        android: "https://github.com/rive-app/rive-android/blob/master/app/src/main/java/app/rive/runtime/example/ComposeListActivity.kt"
      },
      source: ["https://rive.app/marketplace/25474-data-binding-lists/"]
    },
    dataBindingQuickStart: {
      title: "Data Binding",
      description: "Get started with Data Binding at runtime.",
      image: "/images/runtimes/rewards.gif",
      links: {
        flutter: "https://github.com/rive-app/rive-flutter/blob/master/example/lib/examples/databinding.dart",
        reactNative: "https://github.com/rive-app/rive-react-native/blob/main/example/app/(examples)/DataBinding.tsx",
        unity: "https://github.com/rive-app/rive-unity-examples/blob/main/getting-started/Assets/RewardsController.cs",
        apple: "https://github.com/rive-app/rive-ios/blob/main/Example-iOS/Source/Examples/SwiftUI/RewardsView.swift",
        android: "https://github.com/rive-app/rive-android/blob/master/app/src/main/java/app/rive/runtime/example/ComposeDataBindingActivity.kt"
      },
      source: ["https://rive.app/marketplace/25475-data-binding-demo/"]
    },
    dataBindingSolos: {
      title: "Data Binding Solos",
      description: "Control solos at runtime using strings, numbers, or enums.",
      image: '/images/runtimes/data-binding-solos.gif',
      links: {
        react: "https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/rive-react-controlling-solos-at-runtime-ctcnlx?file=%2Fsrc%2FApp.tsx"
      },
      source: ["https://rive.app/marketplace/24643-data-binding-solos/"]
    },
    googleAppAds: {
      title: "Google App Ads",
      description: "How to make an interactive Google App with Rive.",
      image: "/images/runtimes/google-app-ads.png",
      links: {
        mobile: "https://github.com/rive-app/rive-use-cases/tree/main/rive-google-ads"
      }
    },
    layouts: {
      title: "Responsive Layouts",
      description: "Create responsive layouts that adapt to different screen sizes.",
      riv: "https://static.rive.app/rivs/layouts_demo.riv",
      stateMachines: "State Machine 1",
      artboard: "Demo",
      links: {
        web: "https://codesandbox.io/p/devbox/rive-responsive-layout-js-forked-m77nlw",
        react: "https://codesandbox.io/p/devbox/rive-responsive-layouts-react-forked-nmpv39?file=%2Fsrc%2FApp.tsx",
        flutter: "https://github.com/rive-app/rive-flutter/blob/master/example/lib/examples/responsive_layouts.dart",
        reactNative: "https://github.com/rive-app/rive-react-native/blob/main/example/app/(examples)/ResponsiveLayout.tsx",
        android: "https://github.com/rive-app/rive-android/blob/master/app/src/main/java/app/rive/runtime/example/ComposeLayoutActivity.kt"
      },
      source: ["https://rive.app/marketplace/24638-layouts-demo/"]
    },
    fontsHostedCompressed: {
      title: 'Load a Compressed Font for Web',
      description: 'Dynamically load a font asset from a hosted location with compression.',
      image: '/images/runtimes/brotli-compressed-fonts.webp',
      links: {
        react: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/prod-sound-6yc5xl?file=%2Fsrc%2FApp.tsx%3A19%2C1'
      },
      source: ["https://rive.app/marketplace/25473-loading-compressed-fonts-web/"]
    },
    quickStart: {
      title: "Data Binding Quick Start",
      image: '/images/runtimes/quick-start.gif',
      description: 'Load and control your Rive (.riv) file.',
      links: {
        web: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/rive-quick-start-js-xmwcm6?file=%2Fsrc%2Findex.ts',
        react: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/rive-react-quick-start-4xy76h?file=%2Fsrc%2FApp.tsx%3A77%2C14',
        reactJs: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/devbox/rive-react-vanilla-js-quick-start-kz66t4?file=%2Fsrc%2FApp.tsx%3A53%2C7',
        reactNative: 'https://github.com/rive-app/rive-nitro-react-native/blob/main/example/src/demos/QuickStart.tsx',
        unity: '/game-runtimes/unity/tutorials/health-bar'
      },
      source: ["https://rive.app/marketplace/24637-health-bar-data-binding-quick-start/"]
    },
    quickStartReact: {
      title: "Data Binding Quick Start",
      image: '/images/runtimes/quick-start.gif',
      description: 'Load and control your Rive (.riv) file.',
      links: {
        react: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/rive-react-quick-start-4xy76h?file=%2Fsrc%2FApp.tsx%3A77%2C14',
        reactJs: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/devbox/rive-react-vanilla-js-quick-start-kz66t4?file=%2Fsrc%2FApp.tsx%3A53%2C7'
      },
      source: ["https://rive.app/marketplace/24637-health-bar-data-binding-quick-start/"]
    },
    reactHome: {
      title: "See a Working Demo",
      image: '/images/runtimes/quick-start.gif',
      description: 'Load your Rive (.riv) file into a React component.',
      links: {
        react: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/rive-react-quick-start-4xy76h?file=%2Fsrc%2FApp.tsx%3A77%2C14',
        reactJs: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/devbox/rive-react-vanilla-js-quick-start-kz66t4?file=%2Fsrc%2FApp.tsx%3A53%2C7',
        reactComponent: 'https://codesandbox.io/p/sandbox/rive-react-component-quick-start-hl87kh?file=%2Fsrc%2FApp.tsx%3A23%2C1'
      }
    },
    scriptingDrawingShapes: {
      title: "Drawing with Scripting",
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/drawing-demo.png",
      description: "Draw a squirkle, a star, and an animated wave with scripting.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/25751-drawing-shapes-with-scripting"
      }
    },
    scriptingMasonry: {
      title: "Masonry Layout",
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/masonry.png",
      description: "Create a masonry layout using a Layout script.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/25826-masonry-layout/"
      }
    },
    scriptingParticleEmitter: {
      title: "Particle Emitter",
      riv: "https://static.rive.app/rivs/particle-demo.riv",
      artboard: "Demo",
      description: "A small, self contained particle system for Rive node and layout scripts.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/28062-particle-librar/"
      }
    },
    scriptingTippingConverter: {
      title: "Custom Converter",
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/tipping-scripting-converter.gif",
      description: "Calculate the bill total using the converter's input value added to data binding values.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://uat.rive.app/community/files/610-custom-converter-with-scripting"
      }
    },
    scriptingUnitTesting: {
      title: "Unit Testing",
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/scripting-default-thumb.png",
      description: "This hands-on example demonstrates unit testing rgbToHex and hexToRgb color utilities.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/25752-test-script"
      }
    },
    scriptingSnakeGame: {
      title: "Snake - Complete Game",
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/snake-game.png",
      description: "Check out this complete game built entirely with Rive using scripting.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/25748-snake-game/"
      }
    },
    scriptingMultiTouch: {
      title: "Tracking Multi-touch",
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/scripting-default-thumb.png",
      description: "Keep track of every finger.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/25754-multi-touch-with-scripting"
      }
    },
    scriptingNestedPointers: {
      title: "Nested Pointer Events",
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/scripting-default-thumb.png",
      description: "Pass pointer events from the parent component to the instantiated children.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/25750-scripting-nested-pointer-events/"
      }
    },
    scriptingBoilPathEffect: {
      title: "Boiling Path Effect",
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/boiling-effect.gif",
      description: "Apply a boiling effect to any path using scripting.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/25767-scripting-path-effect-boil"
      }
    },
    scriptingTextPathEffect: {
      title: "Text Path Effect",
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/text-path-effect.gif",
      description: "Control a text path using scripting.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/25823-text-path-effects/"
      }
    },
    scriptingDrawImages: {
      title: "Render an Image with Scripting",
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/render-image-with-scripting.jpg",
      description: "Draw an image, give it transforms, control its mesh, and add clipping all through scripting.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/26406-draw-an-image-with-scripting"
      }
    },
    scriptingSlotMachine: {
      title: "Slot Machine - Complete Game",
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/slot-machine.png",
      description: "Build a complete casino game using scripting.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/25759-slot-machine-game-with-scripting/"
      }
    },
    scriptingLists: {
      title: "Scripting Lists",
      image: "/images/runtimes/rive-db-lists.webp",
      description: "Add, remove, edit, and swap items in your data binding list using Rive scripting.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/27098-scripting-lists"
      }
    },
    scriptingPlinko: {
      title: "Plinko - Complete Game",
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/scripting-plinko-game.png",
      description: "Build a complete Plinko game using Layout, Node, and Path Effect scripts.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/marketplace/25772-blinko-scripted-game/"
      }
    },
    constraints: {
      title: "Constraints",
      image: "https://static.rive.app/docs/constraints.gif",
      description: "Transform, Translate, Scale, and Rotation Constraints.",
      links: {
        editor: "https://rive.app/community/files/28081-constraints/"
      }
    }
  };
  const runtimesInOrder = ['web', 'react', 'reactJs', 'reactComponent', 'reactNative', 'flutter', 'apple', 'android', 'unity', 'unreal', 'mobile', 'editor'];
  const runtimeTitles = {
    web: 'Web',
    reactJs: 'React (Imperative)',
    reactComponent: 'React (Component)',
    react: 'React',
    reactNative: "React Native",
    flutter: 'Flutter',
    apple: 'Apple',
    android: 'Android',
    unity: 'Unity',
    unreal: 'Unreal',
    mobile: 'Mobile',
    editor: 'Try in Rive'
  };
  const riveInstances = useRef([]);
  const initRives = () => {
    const rive = window.rive;
    examples.forEach(example => {
      const {riv, stateMachines = "State Machine 1", artboard, layout, layoutScaleFactor} = examplesData[example];
      if (riv) {
        const canvasId = `rive-canvas-${example}`;
        const canvas = document.getElementById(canvasId);
        if (canvas) {
          const r = new rive.Rive({
            src: riv,
            stateMachines,
            canvas,
            artboard,
            autoBind: true,
            autoplay: true,
            layout: new rive.Layout({
              fit: layout ? rive.Fit.Layout : rive.Fit.Contain,
              ...layoutScaleFactor !== undefined && ({
                layoutScaleFactor
              })
            }),
            onLoad: () => {
              r.resizeDrawingSurfaceToCanvas();
              riveInstances.current.push(r);
            }
          });
        }
      }
    });
  };
  useEffect(() => {
    if (window.rive) {
      initRives();
      return;
    }
    const checkRive = () => {
      if (window.rive) {
        initRives();
        window.removeEventListener("rive-loaded", checkRive);
      }
    };
    const handleResize = () => {
      riveInstances.current.forEach(instance => {
        instance.resizeDrawingSurfaceToCanvas();
      });
    };
    window.addEventListener("rive-loaded", checkRive);
    window.addEventListener("resize", handleResize);
    return () => {
      window.removeEventListener("rive-loaded", checkRive);
      window.removeEventListener("resize", handleResize);
      riveInstances.current.forEach(instance => {
        instance.cleanup();
      });
    };
  }, []);
  const RuntimeLink = ({link, runtime}) => {
    if (!link) return null;
    if (runtime === 'editor') {
      link = `${link}?utm_source=docs&utm_medium=docs_demo_card`;
    }
    return <a href={link} target="_blank" className="cursor-pointer border border-neutral-600 hover:border-white rounded-[4px] text-14 py-1 px-5 mr-[10px] mb-[10px]">
        {runtimeTitles[runtime]}
      </a>;
  };
  const CardContainer = ({children: content}) => {
    return <div className="flex flex-col card block font-normal group relative my-2 ring-2 ring-transparent rounded-2xl bg-white dark:bg-background-dark border border-gray-950/10 dark:border-white/10 overflow-hidden w-full">
        {content}
      </div>;
  };
  const getSrc = imageSrc => {
    if (location.hostname === "localhost" && imageSrc.startsWith("/images/")) {
      return imageSrc;
    } else if (imageSrc.startsWith('https:')) {
      return imageSrc;
    }
    return `https://rive.app/docs${imageSrc}`;
  };
  return <div className={`
        card-group not-prose grid gap-x-4
        grid-cols-1
        ${columns >= 2 ? "md:grid-cols-2" : ""}
        ${columns >= 3 ? "xl:grid-cols-3 xl:w-[67rem] xl:max-w-[calc(100vw-25rem)]" : ""}
      `}>
      {examples.map((example, index) => {
    const {title, image, links, description, source, riv} = examplesData[example];
    const canvasId = `rive-canvas-${example}`;
    return <>
            {index === childrenIndex && children}
            <CardContainer key={canvasId}>
              <div className="w-full h-0 relative pb-[75%]">
                <div className="absolute inset-0">
                  {image && <img alt={title} className="w-full object-cover object-center" src={getSrc(image)} />}

                  {riv && !image && <canvas id={canvasId} style={{
      width: "100%",
      height: "100%"
    }} />}
                </div>
              </div>
              <div className="flex flex-grow flex-col px-6 py-5 relative" data-component-part="card-content-container">
                <div className="flex flex-col grow">
                  <h2 className="not-prose font-semibold text-base text-gray-800 dark:text-white" data-component-part="card-title">{learnByExample ? "Learn by Example" : title}</h2>

                  <div className="flex flex-col grow prose mt-1 font-normal text-sm leading-6 text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400" data-component-part="card-content">
                    <div className="grow flex flex-col">
                      {description && !learnByExample && <p>{description}</p>}
                      {source && source.length > 0 && <p className="mt-3">
                            {source.map((item, index) => {
      if (source.length == 1) {
        return <>Open the <a href={item}>Rive file</a>.</>;
      }
      if (index == 0) {
        return <>Open <a href={item}>Rive file 1</a></>;
      }
      return <>, <a href={item}>file {index + 1}</a></>;
    })}
                          </p>}
                    </div>
                    {<div className="mt-6 flex flex-wrap">
                        {runtimesInOrder.map(currentRuntime => {
      if (runtime && currentRuntime !== runtime) return;
      return <RuntimeLink key={currentRuntime} runtime={currentRuntime} link={links[currentRuntime]} />;
    })}
                      </div>}
                  </div>
                </div>
              </div>
            </CardContainer>
          </>;
  })}
    </div>;
};

export const VideoEmbed = ({src, maxWidth}) => {
  return <div style={{
    height: "100%"
  }}>
      <video src={src} autoPlay loop muted playsInline style={{
    width: "100%",
    maxWidth: maxWidth || "100%",
    height: "100%",
    borderRadius: 0,
    margin: 0,
    display: "block",
    objectFit: "cover",
    backgroundColor: "transparent"
  }} />
    </div>;
};

export const YouTube = ({id, timestamp}) => {
  const videoSrc = timestamp ? `https://www.youtube.com/embed/${id}?start=${timestamp}` : `https://www.youtube.com/embed/${id}`;
  return <iframe width="100%" height="400" src={videoSrc} title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerPolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowFullScreen />;
};

Listeners let you respond to interactions, property changes, and other events in your Rive file. When a listener is triggered, it can perform actions such as updating property values, firing Rive events, or running other logic.

A listener has three main parts:

* [Target](#target): what the listener watches
* [Listen to](#listen-to): what needs to happen to trigger the listener
* [Action](#listener-actions): what happens in response

Use listeners to create dynamic experiences that react to user input and changes in state.

<YouTube id="RBQdLRXNVbE" />

## Creating a listener

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Select the element you want the listener to respond to.

    <Info>
      To listen for a view model property change or Rive event, select the artboard or nested component instead.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    In the **Animations** panel, click the icon next to the **State Machine** to show listeners.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click the **+** icon to create a new listener and select the action the listener should perform.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    With the listener selected, set its **Target**, **Listen to**, and other options in the right sidebar.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<VideoEmbed src="https://static.rive.app/video/docs/create-new-listener-6.mp4" />

## Target

The **Target** determines what the listener watches. The target can be an element in your scene, an artboard, or a nested component.

Use an element as the target when you want to listen for interactions on that element, such as clicks or drags. Use an artboard or nested component as the target when you want to listen for view model property changes, Rive events, or other events that belong to that artboard or component.

### Opaque Target

**Opaque Target** controls whether pointer events stop at this listener's hit area or continue through to elements behind it.

When **Opaque Target** is enabled, pointer events stop at the target. When it's disabled, pointer events can pass through the target and trigger other listeners underneath.

<VideoEmbed src="https://static.rive.app/video/docs/listener-opaque-target.mp4" />

## Listen to

**Listen to** is the condition the listener watches for. When the condition is met, the listener is triggered.

<Demos examples={["listenerExamples"]} />

| Listen to | Description |
| - | - |
| [View Model Change](#view-model-change) | Fires whenever the selected view model property changes. |
| [Rive Event](#rive-event) | Fires when the selected Rive event is fired. |
| **Pointer Enter** | Fires when the pointer enters the target area. |
| [Pointer Exit](#pointer-exit) | Fires when the pointer leaves the target area. |
| **Pointer Move** | Fires repeatedly while the pointer moves over the target area. |
| **Pointer Down** | Fires when the pointer is pressed down on the target. |
| **Pointer Up** | Fires when the pointer is released over the target. |
| **Pointer Drag** | Fires repeatedly as the pointer moves after being pressed down on the target, until the pointer is released. |
| **Click** | Fires when the target is clicked or tapped. |
| [Focus](#focus) | Fires when the target receives focus. |
| [Blur](#focus) | Fires when the target loses focus. |
| [Keyboard](#keyboard) | Fires when a key is pressed or released while the target has focus. |
| [Gamepad](#gamepad) | Fires on gamepad input, such as a button press or stick movement. |
| [Text Input](#text-input) | Fires when text is entered while the target has focus. |
| [Semantic Action](#semantic-action) | Fires when an assistive technology, such as a screen reader, performs an action on the target, like a tap, increase, or decrease. |

### View Model Change

This **Listen to** option is only available when the listener target is an artboard or nested component.

View Model Change listeners fire whenever the selected property changes. You can’t specify an expected value or direction of change. For example, a Boolean listener fires when the value changes from true to false or from false to true.

### Rive Event

This **Listen to** option is only available when the listener target is an artboard or nested component.

We strongly recommend using [Data Binding](/docs/editor/data-binding/overview) to communicate between artboards instead of relying on nested Rive events.

### Pointer Exit

**Pointer Exit** only fires while Rive can read the pointer position. If the target touches the edge of the canvas or container, moving the pointer out of the container may not trigger **Pointer Exit** because the pointer has left the area Rive is tracking.

### Focus

Turn on **Focusable** for an element to add it to the focus order. Use **Focus** listeners to react when the element gains focus and **Blur** listeners to react when it loses focus.

The **Focus Target** action moves focus to a specific element, and **Focus Traversal** steps through the focus order.

### Keyboard

To react to keys, add a **Keyboard** listener and choose **On Key Down** or **On Key Up**. Keys go to the element that has focus.

To try keyboard input in the editor, press **Option+Space** to play with keyboard capture on, or click **Toggle Keyboard Capture** in the playback header. This lets keys reach your file instead of triggering editor shortcuts.

### Gamepad

Add a **Gamepad** listener to drive a state machine from a controller's buttons and sticks. Scripts can listen to gamepad events too.

The gamepad icon at the bottom of an open file turns green when Rive can see your controller.

### Text Input

Pick the **Text Input** tool in the toolbar and draw an editable text field. Draw it over a layout to add it to that layout.

Use the **Text Input** section of the Inspector to set the field's font, colors, placeholder, selection color, background, and single line or multiline mode. Add a **Text Input** listener to react when text is entered while the field has focus.

### Semantic Action

The **Semantic** section of the Inspector gives an element a role, such as button, checkbox, slider, or text, plus its traits and state. This helps screen readers read and navigate your file.

Use **Semantic Tap**, **Semantic Increase**, and **Semantic Decrease** listeners to respond to screen reader actions. See [Semantics](/docs/editor/accessibility/semantics#actions) for details on configuring semantic actions.

## Listener actions

A listener action runs when a listener is triggered.

To add a listener action, click the **+** icon in the panel below the **State Machine Graph**.

<VideoEmbed src="https://static.rive.app/video/docs/add-action-to-listener.mp4" />

| Action | Description |
| - | - |
| **View Model Change** | Sets the value of a view model property. See [Data Binding](/docs/editor/data-binding/overview). |
| **Input Change** (deprecated) | Sets the value of a state machine [input](/docs/editor/state-machine/inputs). |
| [Align Target](#align-target) | Positions an object so it follows the pointer. |
| **Focus Target** | Moves focus to a specific element. |
| **Focus Traversal** | Steps through the focus order. |
| **Report Event** | Fires a [Rive event](/docs/editor/events/overview). |
| **Scripted Action** | Runs a [listener action script](/docs/scripting/protocols/listener-action-scripts). |

<Tip>
  You can add multiple actions to a single listener, and you can data bind values in listener actions.
</Tip>

### Align Target

The **Align Target** action positions an object so it follows the pointer when the listener is triggered within the listener area.

Use the **Target Picker** to select the object you want to align.

Enable **Preserve Offset** to maintain the original distance between the object and the pointer when the action is triggered. When **Preserve Offset** is disabled, the object aligns directly to the pointer.