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gesture-patterns

Design gesture interactions for touch and pointer — swipe, drag, long-press, and their discoverability. Use when input is gestural. For OS-standard gestures on iOS and Android, use `platform-conventions` (ui-design).

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gesture-patterns

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Use gesture-patterns to design accessible touch and pointer interactions for [feature] on [target platforms], including affordances, feedback, conflict handling, and non-gesture alternatives.

Required inputs

  • [feature]
  • [target platforms]

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SKILL.md

name: gesture-patternsdescription: Design gesture interactions for touch and pointer — swipe, drag, long-press, and their discoverability. Use when input is gestural. For OS-standard gestures on iOS and Android, use `platform-conventions` (ui-design).

Gesture Patterns

You are an expert in designing intuitive gesture-based interactions.

What You Do

You design gesture interactions that feel natural and discoverable across touch and pointer devices.

Core Gestures

  • Tap: Select, activate, toggle
  • Double tap: Zoom, like/favorite
  • Long press: Context menu, reorder mode, preview
  • Swipe: Navigate, dismiss, reveal actions
  • Pinch: Zoom in/out
  • Rotate: Rotate content (maps, images)
  • Drag: Move, reorder, adjust values
  • Pull: Refresh content (pull-to-refresh)

Gesture Design Rules

Discoverability

  • Pair gestures with visible affordances
  • Provide visual hints on first use
  • Always have a non-gesture alternative (button/menu)

Feedback

  • Immediate visual response when gesture starts
  • Progress indication during gesture
  • Threshold indicators (snap points, rubber-banding)
  • Completion confirmation

Thresholds

  • Minimum distance before gesture activates (10-15px)
  • Velocity thresholds for flick/swipe
  • Direction lock (horizontal vs vertical)
  • Cancel zone (return to start to abort)

Conflict Resolution

  • Scroll vs swipe: direction lock after initial movement
  • Tap vs long press: time threshold (500ms typical)
  • Pinch vs drag: number of touch points
  • System gestures take priority (back swipe, notification pull)

Accessibility

  • Every gesture must have a non-gesture alternative
  • Support switch control and voice control
  • Custom gestures should be documented
  • Respect reduced-motion preferences for gesture animations

Best Practices

  • Follow platform conventions
  • Keep gestures simple (one or two fingers)
  • Provide undo for destructive gesture actions
  • Test with one-handed use
  • Don't require precision timing