Navigation and reading
Applies to: Public Core prototype
Updated
Core keeps a collection of work available while one object is in focus. Opening an object gives it room for inspection; returning to the collection lets you continue through related work.
Navigation controls#
| Control | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Home collection | Returns to the starting company collection. |
| Explore | Opens the available subjects and searchable page list. |
| Collection subject | Selects an object within the current collection. |
| Find a page | Filters loaded pages by title or path. |
| Previous work object / Next work object | Moves focus within the current collection. A control can be disabled at a boundary. |
| Current object | Identifies the active item and opens the work-selection surface. |
| Open original page | Opens the source destination for the current material. |
| Close surface | Closes an open communication or exploration surface. |
The exact set of objects depends on the selected destination. A company page, a product preview and a connected application need not expose the same actions.
Reading documents#
Open a document from its work object. Scroll to read within a section and continue through the document. Where section navigation is available, use it to move directly to the part you need.
Links within the loaded company collection can keep you in Core. A link to an external resource opens its destination. Use Open original page if a conventional page is preferable for a long reference, copying a command example or following an external service link.
Browser Back and Forward can return through navigation history. If a saved link reaches a page unavailable in the current collection, open Explore and search for its title, or use the canonical company-site link.
Keyboard and small screens#
Use Tab to reach labeled controls and Enter or Space to activate buttons. Dialogs provide a close control; Escape closes the open communication surface. Avoid relying on position alone: controls retain their labels when the layout adapts to a smaller display.
On a phone, close an open surface before selecting an object behind it. If the display seems to stop responding, check for a dialog or text field holding focus before refreshing the page.
Distinguish navigation from an action#
Opening a page or moving focus changes what you are examining. It does not, by itself, start work on a machine or submit a business request. Read the selected interface's action label and resulting state whenever an operation can change something outside the current view.
For communication associated with an object, see Valen, messages and work. For an unavailable page or control, see Core troubleshooting.