service-manual checked

GOV.UK Service Manual: Building a robust frontend using progressive enhancement

Documents HTML-first services, CSS and JavaScript failure conditions, feature detection, testing on lower-powered devices, preserving core functionality when JavaScript fails, and using other channels only when core functionality cannot be provided without JavaScript.

Open source

Pattern Decisions This Source Supports

Pattern Supported decision Required contract Claim note
Graceful degradation Choose graceful degradation when users stay on the same surface and the core task continues with fewer capabilities. The baseline path can complete the same core task or the interface explicitly says why it cannot. GOV.UK documents baseline HTML, JavaScript failure risks, and preserving core functionality when enhanced layers fail.

Evidence Role

This source is treated as service-manual evidence. Use it to validate the decision rules above, not as a visual style reference.

Publisher: Government Digital Service. Last checked: .