21 documented entries 1 anti-pattern check

Navigation And Wayfinding

Headers, breadcrumbs, tabs, side navigation, steps, local anchors, and return paths.

Browse all problem families
Pattern index

Compare nearby options before choosing

Open an entry for its decision rule, states, implementation contract, and source trail.

Back link

A multi-page transaction or form asks users one thing per page.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
3
Trail checked
standardSingle previous-page return link for a transaction
Test in lab

Bottom navigation

A compact mobile app has three to five high-frequency top-level destinations.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
4
Trail checked
establishedPersistent mobile primary navigation
Test in lab

Breadcrumbs

Pages sit inside a clear parent-child hierarchy.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
4
Trail checked
standardHierarchy orientation navigation
Test in lab

Carousel

A small set of peer slides must share one constrained display area.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
5
Trail checked
standardSequential slide viewer for a small peer content set
Test in lab

Command palette

Users need to traverse a broad product surface quickly.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
3
Trail checked
establishedModal command surface
Test in lab

Global navigation

Users revisit several top-level product or service areas.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
3
Trail checked
establishedPersistent top-level navigation shell
Test in lab

Header / top app bar

A screen needs a current title plus back, close, menu, search, save, share, edit, or overflow actions.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
4
Trail checked
establishedCurrent-view top bar with title, navigation affordance, actions, and overflow
Test in lab

In-page anchor navigation

A long content page has several meaningful sections users may want to jump to.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
3
Trail checked
standardSame-page section jump links for long content
Test in lab

Mega menu

A top-level navigation section has many related child destinations.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
4
Trail checked
standardLarge grouped disclosure panel under top-level navigation
Test in lab

Navigation drawer

A constrained app needs access to more destinations than fit in the visible navigation surface.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
3
Trail checked
establishedDismissible slide-in navigation sheet
Test in lab

Pagination

The collection has many ordered results.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
4
Trail checked
standardPaged navigation control
Test in lab

Pagination without current page

Use this anti-pattern to review result pages, data tables, search results, inboxes, catalogs, audit logs, resource lists, and generated pagination controls.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
6
Trail checked
anti-patternMissing pagination position anti-pattern
Test in lab

Process list / step-by-step navigation

An end-to-end journey spans several pieces of guidance, service links, departments, or channels.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
3
Trail checked
standardEnd-to-end ordered journey guidance with linked tasks
Test in lab

Recently viewed

Users inspect multiple objects and often need to return to one they recently opened.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
5
Trail checked
standardAutomatic list of items the current user opened recently
Test in lab

Related links

The current page has a few genuinely adjacent pages, services, programs, or resources users often need next.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
4
Trail checked
standardCurated onward links connected to the current content
Test in lab

Service navigation

A named service is used repeatedly by some users.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
3
Trail checked
establishedService-scoped identity and navigation strip
Test in lab

Side navigation

A product area has several related pages arranged in a visible hierarchy.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
3
Trail checked
establishedPersistent local hierarchy at the side of content
Test in lab

Skip link

Pages include repeated navigation, headers, breadcrumbs, filters, or other content before the main content.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
4
Trail checked
standardKeyboard-visible bypass link to primary page content
Test in lab

Step navigation / step indicator

A linear form, application, checkout, or setup flow has three or more meaningful steps.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
3
Trail checked
standardLinear multistep task progress indicator
Test in lab

Tabs

Users switch between sibling panels frequently.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
3
Trail checked
standardSection-switching component
Test in lab

Utility navigation

Users need persistent access to support, search, account, notifications, language, switching, or sign-out controls.

Type
UI-UX
Sources
4
Trail checked
establishedPersistent utility controls separated from destination navigation
Test in lab

Saved items