diff --git a/app/animations/__init__.py b/app/animations/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1ddaaef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/animations/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+"""Animation registry – add new animations here."""
+
+from .chill import ChillAnimation
+from .gaming import GamingAnimation
+from .party import PartyAnimation
+
+# Map of mode-name (lowercase) → Animation class
+# The MQTT payload / HTTP body should match these keys.
+REGISTRY = {
+    "chill": ChillAnimation,
+    "chillmode": ChillAnimation,
+    "party": PartyAnimation,
+    "partymode": PartyAnimation,
+    "gaming": GamingAnimation,
+    "gamingmode": GamingAnimation,
+}
+
+
+def get_animation_class(name: str):
+    return REGISTRY.get(name.strip().lower())
diff --git a/app/animations/base.py b/app/animations/base.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d3f364
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/animations/base.py
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+"""Base class for all animations."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import abc
+import logging
+import threading
+import time
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from shelly import ShellyRGBW2
+
+log = logging.getLogger("animation")
+
+
+class Animation(abc.ABC):
+    """Subclass this and implement `tick()` to create a new animation.
+
+    `tick()` is called roughly every `interval` seconds while the animation
+    is active.  Keep it fast and non-blocking.
+    """
+
+    name: str = "base"
+    interval: float = 0.12  # seconds between ticks
+
+    def __init__(self, shelly: "ShellyRGBW2"):
+        self.shelly = shelly
+        self._stop = threading.Event()
+        self._thread: threading.Thread | None = None
+
+    def start(self) -> None:
+        if self._thread and self._thread.is_alive():
+            return
+        self._stop.clear()
+        self.on_start()
+        self._thread = threading.Thread(
+            target=self._run, name=f"anim-{self.name}", daemon=True
+        )
+        self._thread.start()
+        log.info("Animation '%s' started", self.name)
+
+    def stop(self) -> None:
+        self._stop.set()
+        if self._thread:
+            self._thread.join(timeout=2.0)
+            self._thread = None
+        self.on_stop()
+        log.info("Animation '%s' stopped", self.name)
+
+    @property
+    def running(self) -> bool:
+        return self._thread is not None and self._thread.is_alive()
+
+    def _run(self) -> None:
+        while not self._stop.is_set():
+            try:
+                self.tick()
+            except Exception:
+                log.exception("Error in animation '%s'", self.name)
+            self._stop.wait(self.interval)
+
+    # ---- hooks for subclasses ----
+
+    def on_start(self) -> None:
+        """Called once when the animation starts (before first tick)."""
+        self.shelly.turn_on()
+
+    def on_stop(self) -> None:
+        """Called once when the animation stops."""
+        pass
+
+    @abc.abstractmethod
+    def tick(self) -> None:
+        """Called every `interval` seconds.  Update the light here."""
+        ...
diff --git a/app/animations/chill.py b/app/animations/chill.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1d90b7d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/animations/chill.py
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+"""Warm evening / chill breathing animation."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import colorsys
+import math
+
+from .base import Animation
+
+
+class ChillAnimation(Animation):
+    name = "chill"
+    interval = 0.12
+
+    # Warm hues (0–1 range for colorsys)
+    COLORS = [
+        (15 / 360, 1.0),   # warm red-orange
+        (25 / 360, 0.95),  # orange
+        (35 / 360, 0.90),  # amber
+        (45 / 360, 0.85),  # golden
+        (30 / 360, 1.0),   # deep orange
+        (10 / 360, 1.0),   # deep red
+    ]
+
+    def on_start(self) -> None:
+        super().on_start()
+        self._phase = 0.0
+        self._color_idx = 0
+
+    def tick(self) -> None:
+        self._phase += 0.08
+        brightness = 40 + math.sin(self._phase) * 18  # ~22–58
+        brightness = max(20, min(70, brightness))
+
+        if self._phase >= math.pi * 2:
+            self._phase = 0.0
+            self._color_idx = (self._color_idx + 1) % len(self.COLORS)
+
+        h, s = self.COLORS[self._color_idx]
+        r, g, b = colorsys.hsv_to_rgb(h, s, 1.0)
+        gain = int(brightness)
+
+        self.shelly.set_color(
+            int(r * 255),
+            int(g * 255),
+            int(b * 255),
+            gain=gain,
+        )
diff --git a/app/animations/gaming.py b/app/animations/gaming.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e5bf84a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/animations/gaming.py
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+"""Gaming animation – strong pulse through gaming colors."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import colorsys
+
+from .base import Animation
+
+
+class GamingAnimation(Animation):
+    name = "gaming"
+    interval = 0.09
+
+    # HSB hues
+    COLORS = [
+        220 / 360,  # blue
+        190 / 360,  # cyan
+        275 / 360,  # violet
+        300 / 360,  # magenta
+    ]
+
+    def on_start(self) -> None:
+        super().on_start()
+        self._color_idx = 0
+        self._brightness = 40.0
+        self._direction = 1.0
+
+    def tick(self) -> None:
+        self._brightness += self._direction * 4
+
+        if self._brightness >= 95:
+            self._brightness = 95
+            self._direction = -1
+        if self._brightness <= 25:
+            self._brightness = 25
+            self._direction = 1
+            self._color_idx = (self._color_idx + 1) % len(self.COLORS)
+
+        h = self.COLORS[self._color_idx]
+        r, g, b = colorsys.hsv_to_rgb(h, 1.0, 1.0)
+        self.shelly.set_color(
+            int(r * 255),
+            int(g * 255),
+            int(b * 255),
+            gain=int(self._brightness),
+        )
diff --git a/app/animations/party.py b/app/animations/party.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ba931d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/animations/party.py
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+"""Party animation – slow color drift + irregular beat pulses."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import colorsys
+import random
+import time
+
+from .base import Animation
+
+
+class PartyAnimation(Animation):
+    name = "party"
+    interval = 0.10
+
+    def on_start(self) -> None:
+        super().on_start()
+        self._hue = 210.0          # start blue-ish
+        self._brightness = 35.0
+        self._direction = 1.0
+        self._pulse = 0.0
+        self._next_pulse = time.monotonic() + 1.2
+        self._next_color_jump = time.monotonic() + 2.5
+
+    def tick(self) -> None:
+        now = time.monotonic()
+
+        # slow hue drift (blue → cyan → violet → magenta → blue)
+        self._hue += 1.2
+        if self._hue >= 330:
+            self._hue = 210.0
+
+        # gentle base breathing
+        self._brightness += self._direction * 0.7
+        if self._brightness >= 55:
+            self._brightness = 55
+            self._direction = -1
+        if self._brightness <= 28:
+            self._brightness = 28
+            self._direction = 1
+
+        # irregular beat pulses
+        if now >= self._next_pulse:
+            self._pulse = 20
+            self._next_pulse = now + 0.6 + random.random() * 1.2
+
+        if self._pulse > 0:
+            self._brightness += self._pulse
+            self._pulse *= 0.65
+
+        brightness = max(20, min(80, self._brightness))
+
+        # occasional stronger color jump
+        if now >= self._next_color_jump:
+            self._hue += 25 + random.random() * 60
+            if self._hue >= 330:
+                self._hue = 210.0
+            self._next_color_jump = now + 1.8 + random.random() * 3.0
+
+        r, g, b = colorsys.hsv_to_rgb(self._hue / 360.0, 1.0, 1.0)
+        self.shelly.set_color(
+            int(r * 255),
+            int(g * 255),
+            int(b * 255),
+            gain=int(brightness),
+        )