pattern-library checked
VA.gov Error and Alert Messages
Documents clear and direct error and alert messages with calls to action that tell people what to do next to resolve the issue.
Pattern Decisions This Source Supports
| Pattern | Supported decision | Required contract | Claim note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Error state | Choose error state when expected content or task progress is blocked by system, network, permission, validation, save, sync, or computation failure. | The error remains visible until resolved, intentionally dismissed, replaced by recovered content, or escalated. | VA documents clear, direct error messages with calls to action that tell people what to do next. |
| Toast-only critical error | Flag this anti-pattern when a failure blocks progress, affects money or data, changes account or security state, or requires a repair action after the message appears. | The critical error remains visible until it is resolved, intentionally dismissed from a safe persistent surface, replaced by a recovered state, or escalated. | VA documents error and alert messages as clear, direct content with a call to action that tells people what to do next. |
Evidence Role
This source is treated as pattern-library evidence. Use it to validate the decision rules above, not as a visual style reference.
Publisher: VA.gov Design System. Last checked: .