Keyboard navigation design
A systematic approach to building fully keyboard-accessible interfaces without sacrificing visual polish.
Focus ring strategy
Use focus-visible:ring-2 with a violet offset. Never strip outlines globally — scope suppression to pointer-driven interactions via :focus:not(:focus-visible).
Tab order
Assign tabIndex values sparingly. Rely on DOM order for natural flow. Reserve tabIndex=0 for custom widgets and tabIndex=-1 for programmatic focus management in modals and drawers.
Arrow-key roving
For listboxes, tabs, and grids, implement a roving tabindex pattern. One element holds tabIndex=0 while siblings use tabIndex=-1. Arrow keys shift focus and update the index.
Skip links
Place a visually hidden “Skip to content” link as the first focusable element. On focus, surface it with a fixed top-center banner styled in violet.
Escape and Enter
Bind Escape to dismiss overlays and return focus to the trigger element. Enter activates the currently focused interactive element.
Tip: Test every view with a keyboard only. If you cannot reach or operate a control, the recipe is incomplete.