Design Principle
Navigation is not a pile of links; it continuously communicates structure and current location.
Principle
Navigation is not a pile of links; it continuously communicates structure and current location.
Design action
Top nav and sidebar should show current state; list filters, detail return links, and admin entries should share one information architecture.
Examples
Positive example: Multi-page communities, knowledge bases, admin tools, and account areas. Counterexample: The current page has no active marker.
Apply when
Multi-page communities, knowledge bases, admin tools, and account areas. Pages have secondary sections or filter scopes.
Source notes
Source note: Synthesized from Apple HIG, Material Design, GOV.UK/Polaris/Atlassian component practices, and interaction accessibility principles. Apple HIG Motion: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/motion Material Design Motion: https://m3.material.io/styles/motion/overview/how-it-works GOV.UK Design System Patterns: https://design-system.service.gov.uk/patterns/ Shopify Polaris Patterns: https://polaris-react.shopify.com/patterns Atlassian Empty State: https://atlassian.design/components/empty-state
Agent Directive
Top nav and sidebar should show current state; list filters, detail return links, and admin entries should share one information architecture.