/* @keyframes duration | easing-function | delay |
iteration-count | direction | fill-mode | play-state | name */
animation: 3s ease-in 1s 2 reverse both paused slidein;

/* @keyframes name | duration | easing-function | delay */
animation: slidein 3s linear 1s;

/* @keyframes name | duration */
animation: slidein 3s;

A description of which properties are animatable is available; it's worth noting that this description is also valid for CSS transitions.

This property is a shorthand for the following CSS properties:

• animation-delay
• animation-direction
• animation-duration
• animation-fill-mode
• animation-iteration-count
• animation-name
• animation-play-state
• animation-timing-function

The animation property is specified as one or more single animations, separated by commas.

Each individual animation is specified as:

• zero or one occurrences of the following values:
  • <single-transition-easing-function>
  • <single-animation-iteration-count>
  • <single-animation-direction>
  • <single-animation-fill-mode>
  • <single-animation-play-state>
• an optional name for the animation, which may be none, a <custom-ident>, or a <string>
• zero, one, or two <time> values

The order of values within each animation definition is important: the first value that can be parsed as a <time> is assigned to the animation-duration, and the second one is assigned to animation-delay.

The order within each animation definition is also important for distinguishing animation-name values from other keywords. When parsed, keywords that are valid for properties other than animation-name, and whose values were not found earlier in the shorthand, must be accepted for those properties rather than for animation-name. Furthermore, when serialized, default values of other properties must be output in at least the cases necessary to distinguish an animation-name that could be a value of another property, and may be output in additional cases.

<single-animation-iteration-count>

The number of times the animation is played. The value must be one of those available in animation-iteration-count.

<single-animation-direction>

The direction in which the animation is played. The value must be one of those available in animation-direction.

<single-animation-fill-mode>

Determines how styles should be applied to the animation's target before and after its execution. The value must be one of those available in animation-fill-mode.

<single-animation-play-state>

Determines whether the animation is playing or not. The value must be one of those available in animation-play-state.

Blinking and flashing animation can be problematic for people with cognitive concerns such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Additionally, certain kinds of motion can be a trigger for Vestibular disorders, epilepsy, and migraine and Scotopic sensitivity.

Consider providing a mechanism for pausing or disabling animation, as well as using the Reduced Motion Media Query to create a complimentary experience for users who have expressed a preference for no animated experiences.

• Designing Safer Web Animation For Motion Sensitivity · An A List Apart Article
• An Introduction to the Reduced Motion Media Query | CSS-Tricks
• Responsive Design for Motion | WebKit
• MDN Understanding WCAG, Guideline 2.2 explanations
• Understanding Success Criterion 2.2.2 | W3C Understanding WCAG 2.0

animation = 
  <single-animation>#  

<single-animation> = 
  <time>                              ||
  <easing-function>                   ||
  <time>                              ||
  <single-animation-iteration-count>  ||
  <single-animation-direction>        ||
  <single-animation-fill-mode>        ||
  <single-animation-play-state>       ||
  [ none | <keyframes-name> ]         

<easing-function> = 
  linear                          |
  <linear-easing-function>        |
  <cubic-bezier-easing-function>  |
  <step-easing-function>          

<single-animation-iteration-count> = 
  infinite        |
  <number [0,∞]>  

<single-animation-direction> = 
  normal             |
  reverse            |
  alternate          |
  alternate-reverse  

<single-animation-fill-mode> = 
  none       |
  forwards   |
  backwards  |
  both       

<single-animation-play-state> = 
  running  |
  paused   

<keyframes-name> = 
  <custom-ident>  |
  <string>        

<linear-easing-function> = 
  linear( <linear-stop-list> )  

<cubic-bezier-easing-function> = 
  ease                                                |
  ease-in                                             |
  ease-out                                            |
  ease-in-out                                         |
  cubic-bezier( <number [0,1]> , <number> , <number [0,1]> , <number> )  

<step-easing-function> = 
  step-start                                |
  step-end                                  |
  steps( <integer> [, <step-position> ]? )  

<linear-stop-list> = 
  [ <linear-stop> ]#  

<step-position> = 
  jump-start  |
  jump-end    |
  jump-none   |
  jump-both   |
  start       |
  end         

<linear-stop> = 
  <number>               &&
  <linear-stop-length>?  

<linear-stop-length> = 
  <percentage>{1,2}  

<div class="view_port">
  <div class="polling_message">
    Listening for dispatches
  </div>
  <div class="cylon_eye"></div>
</div>

.polling_message {
  color: white;
  float: left;
  margin-right: 2%;
}

.view_port {
  background-color: black;
  height: 25px;
  width: 100%;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.cylon_eye {
  background-color: red;
  background-image: linear-gradient(to right,
      rgba(0, 0, 0, .9) 25%,
      rgba(0, 0, 0, .1) 50%,
      rgba(0, 0, 0, .9) 75%);
  color: white;
  height: 100%;
  width: 20%;

  animation: 4s linear 0s infinite alternate move_eye;
}

@keyframes move_eye { 
  from { margin-left: -20%; } 
  to { margin-left: 100%; }
}

See Using CSS animations for additional examples.

• Using CSS animations
• JavaScript AnimationEvent API