core-web-vitals

Other

When the user wants to optimize Core Web Vitals, fix LCP, INP, or CLS issues. Also use when the user mentions "Core Web Vitals," "CWV," "LCP," "INP," "CLS," "FID," "page speed," "page performance," "Largest Contentful Paint," "Interaction to Next Paint," "Cumulative Layout Shift," or "Page Experience." For GSC CWV, use google-search-console.

Install

openclaw skills install core-web-vitals

SEO Technical: Core Web Vitals

Guides optimization of Core Web Vitals (CWV)—Google's user experience metrics that affect search ranking. CWV are confirmed ranking factors for mobile and desktop.

When invoking: On first use, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.

Scope (Technical SEO)

  • LCP (Largest Contentful Paint): Loading performance; time to render largest content element
  • INP (Interaction to Next Paint): Responsiveness; replaced FID in March 2024
  • CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift): Visual stability; unexpected layout shifts

Target Thresholds (75th percentile, field data)

MetricTargetGoodNeeds ImprovementPoor
LCP≤2.5s≤2.5s2.5–4.0s>4.0s
INP≤200ms≤200ms200–500ms>500ms
CLS<0.1≤0.10.1–0.25>0.25

Source: Google Page Experience

Initial Assessment

Check for project context first: If .claude/project-context.md or .cursor/project-context.md exists, read it for site URL.

Identify:

  1. Tools: GSC Core Web Vitals report, PageSpeed Insights, Chrome DevTools
  2. Metrics: Which metric is failing (LCP, INP, CLS)
  3. Page type: Hero, article, product, list—LCP candidate differs

LCP Optimization

LCP measures the time until the largest content element (image, video, or text block) is visible.

CauseFix
Slow server responseReduce TTFB; use CDN; optimize server
Render-blocking resourcesDefer non-critical CSS/JS; inline critical CSS
Large imagesWebP/AVIF; compress; width/height to prevent CLS; see image-optimization
Client-side renderingSSR/SSG for above-fold content; see rendering-strategies
Third-party scriptsLoad async; defer non-critical

LCP candidates: Hero image, large text block, video poster. Ensure above-fold images use loading="eager" (default); never lazy-load LCP.

INP Optimization

INP measures responsiveness—time from user interaction to next paint. Replaced FID in March 2024.

CauseFix
Long-running JSBreak tasks >50ms; use requestIdleCallback; Web Workers
Heavy event handlersDebounce/throttle; defer non-critical work
Main thread blockingReduce third-party scripts; defer non-critical JS
Layout thrashingBatch DOM reads/writes; avoid forced reflows

CLS Optimization

CLS measures unexpected layout shifts.

CauseFix
Images without dimensionsAlways set width and height attributes
Dynamic contentReserve space for ads, embeds; use min-height
Web fontsfont-display: optional or swap; preload critical fonts
AnimationsUse transform instead of top/left/width

Reserve space: For images, ads, embeds—define dimensions before load. Avoid inserting content above existing content without reserved space.

Tools & Monitoring

ToolUse
GSCCore Web Vitals report; URL grouping; field data
PageSpeed InsightsLab + field data; mobile + desktop
Chrome DevToolsPerformance panel; LCP element; layout shift overlay

Output Format

Related Skills

  • image-optimization: LCP image optimization; WebP; lazy loading (below-fold only)
  • google-search-console: CWV report; field data monitoring
  • mobile-friendly: Mobile-first indexing; mobile CWV targets
  • rendering-strategies: SSR/SSG for LCP; content in initial HTML
  • site-crawlability: Redirect chains waste crawl; fix for performance