How to make a Codex water-ripple or directional background

Choose one render mode

Image/video, ripple and directional backgrounds are mutually exclusive because the preview and local adapters consume the same interactiveBackground field. A ripple or directional theme cannot also run an MP4 background.

• Use media mode for a static image or muted MP4 loop
• Use ripple mode for one local image and a finite disturbance
• Use directional mode for a prebuilt static WebP atlas

Prepare a directional atlas

The atlas must be a static WebP containing 8, 16 or 32 frames. Columns multiplied by rows must equal the selected direction count, and both image dimensions must divide evenly by that grid. CC Theme does not auto-generate multi-direction artwork.

• Maximum encoded size: 32 MiB
• Maximum decoded area: 32 megapixels
• Maximum width or height: 16,384 pixels
• Set the first-direction angle, idle frame and tracking origin explicitly

Design the static fallback first

Motion is optional; readability is not. Test the fallback image or idle frame behind task, code, terminal, diff and settings surfaces. Reduced Motion stops ripple updates and pins a directional atlas to its configured idle frame.

Export the same contract the adapter reads

Studio packages the interactiveBackground configuration and its declared binary asset into .cctheme, records the file in the manifest and hashes it for integrity. Reopen the archive before sharing, then apply it only to a target shown as verified in the compatibility matrix.