Techniques are disclosed for performing stylus-based actions in electronic devices without the stylus having to touch the stylus detection surface. A stylus action may include manipulating one or more control features of the stylus, and each control feature action or combination of actions may be associated with distinct functions. The device may detect, for example, whether the stylus is pointing to specific content or one or more UI control features or icons on the device, for which a corresponding function can be performed. In other cases, functions can be performed without reference to specific content. The device may track stylus location over the detection surface and the non-touch stylus action may be location sensitive. The various functions assigned to non-touch stylus actions may be performed on an application specific level, or a global device level. An animation can be displayed as non-touch stylus actions are executed.