Buttons, split actions and action menus
Primary, secondary, tertiary, destructive, icon, overflow and loading-action behavior.
Shared componentFuture Spec 16 →Current-state summary
Buttons, split actions and action menus appears across the current product but is not yet governed as one fully documented reusable component. Headers, cards, grids and dialogs use black primary buttons, outlined actions and overflow menus, but loading, destructive confirmation, disabled reasons and split-action hierarchy are not fully standardized.
Interface inventory
Anatomy and verified behavior
Verification states separate observed behavior from requirements or assumptions.
| Element | Current behavior | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Canonical interaction | One primary action per local decision area; secondary and tertiary actions use decreasing emphasis. Navigation uses links; state-changing commands use buttons. Destructive actions state object and consequence, require appropriate confirmation and never hide behind unexplained disabled controls. | Required reusable contract |
| Data contract | Commands carry target ID/version and idempotency key; action availability is derived from permissions and state, with a machine-readable reason when unavailable. | Required shared storage and API behavior |
| Accessibility | Every icon button has an accessible name; focus, busy state, confirmation and menu keyboard behavior are complete. | Required before component is approved for reuse |
| Reuse inventory | record headers, dialogs, builders, grids, cards, bulk actions, commercial approvals | Known current and future consumers |
| Current inconsistencies | Disabled Proposals/Reports lacked Coming soon labels. Loading and duplicate-submission behavior is not consistently evidenced. Icon-only overflow action names require review. | Observed or identified correction work |
User journeys
Current flows
Use Buttons, split actions and action menus
- Render from the shared component registry
- Load canonical value and configuration
- Accept keyboard, pointer or assistive-technology input
- Validate and normalize
- Persist canonical value with provenance
- Render the same meaning in profiles, grids, filters, exports and integrations
State model
Current and expected states
Value can be entered or selected with a visible label.
Must provide a visible focus indicator without layout shift.
Must distinguish unavailable input from view-only canonical value.
Requirement is communicated in label, schema and validation—not colour alone.
Inline message explains the problem and preserves the user’s input where safe.
Async work prevents duplicate commands and remains announced.
Null, empty string, zero and empty collection retain distinct meanings.
Product rules
Non-negotiable boundaries
- Build once and reuse the same component, schema and formatter in every Workspace experience.
- Display formatting is separate from canonical storage.
- Every value has a stable field key, type, validation, privacy classification and version.
- Client validation improves usability; server validation remains authoritative.
- Equivalent values render consistently in forms, grids, profiles, filters, exports, notifications and documents.
- One primary action per local decision area; secondary and tertiary actions use decreasing emphasis.
- Navigation uses links; state-changing commands use buttons.
- Destructive actions state object and consequence, require appropriate confirmation and never hide behind unexplained disabled controls.
Known current limitations · 3 mapped
What is missing, broken or unverified
Future Spec 16 owns closure →- Disabled Proposals/Reports lacked Coming soon labels.
- Loading and duplicate-submission behavior is not consistently evidenced.
- Icon-only overflow action names require review.
Future alignment
Required evolution
- 01Promote this pattern into the approved component library.
- 02Replace local copies incrementally and retain migration adapters only where required.
- 03Add automated interaction, validation, accessibility and serialization tests.
- 04Track reuse across: record headers, dialogs, builders, grids, cards, bulk actions, commercial approvals.
Current baseline
Acceptance record
- The component has one public API and canonical data contract.
- All required states are documented and tested.
- Formatting and validation are consistent across every consumer.
- Keyboard and screen-reader testing passes.
- Existing inconsistent copies have an owner and migration plan.
Reverse-spec completeness
Documentation coverage
The interface is still changing, so visual evidence and repository tracing remain intentionally incomplete.
Purpose and user outcome
DocumentedRoles and access
DocumentedRoutes and entry points
DocumentedPage and component anatomy
DocumentedFields and displayed data
DocumentedPrimary actions
DocumentedForms and validation
DocumentedStates and transitions
DocumentedEmpty, loading and error states
DocumentedResponsive behavior
PartialAccessibility behavior
PartialActivity and audit events
PartialData sources and persistence
DocumentedNotifications and automation
PartialKnown defects and limitations
DocumentedReusable component dependencies
DocumentedFuture-spec conflicts
PartialVisual and repository evidence
DeferredAcceptance of current baseline
Documented