GitHub no longer uses Toasts
3 days ago
- #usability
- #UI design
- #accessibility
- GitHub no longer uses toasts due to accessibility and usability issues.
- Toasts are small, rectangular notifications that pop up on the screen and disappear after a set time.
- Toasts pose significant accessibility concerns, including issues with timing, keyboard navigation, and status messages.
- Alternatives to toasts include banners, dialogs, and interstitial confirmation pages, depending on the use case.
- For simple actions, success can be self-evident without additional feedback.
- Complex actions may need banners or progressive disclosure to communicate success.
- Unsuccessful actions can use banners or dialogs for error feedback.
- Form validation should use established components for consistency.
- Long-running tasks should use banners and consider other communication channels like email.
- Application state issues can be addressed with dialogs or banners to prompt a refresh.
- Accessibility considerations include WCAG criteria like Timing Adjustable and Meaningful Sequence.
- Usability issues include distractions, blocking UI, and accidental dismissal.
- Toasts can be ignored due to overuse, leading to banner blindness.
- Screen magnification users may miss toasts outside their view.
- Further reading includes resources on accessible notification patterns.