Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. Generally, the described techniques provide for using layer one (L1) or layer two (L2) signaling to indicate a primary cell (PCell) or primary secondary cell (PSCell) to a user equipment (UE). The use of L1 or L2 signaling to indicate a PCell or PSCell may be referred to as L1 or L2 mobility and may lower the latency at the UE associated with transitioning to communicating with the PCell or PSCell. A UE may receive radio resource control (RRC) signaling from a base station indicating a set of cells configured for L1 or L2 mobility and indicating a list of candidate cells for a PCell or PSCell. The UE may then receive L1/L2 signaling from the base station identifying the PCell or indicating activation of the PSCell.