Filter sidebar
A desktop filter system that keeps result context visible.
- Use when
- Several independent filters materially change a list.
- Avoid when
- One or two simple filters fit inline.
What this pattern must solve
Help people reduce a collection using a small set of meaningful discovery controls. For this pattern, the practical fit is: Several independent filters materially change a list.
Avoid forcing it into the product when one or two simple filters fit inline. A recognizable pattern is only useful when it reduces work or uncertainty for the person using it.
Information anatomy
Start with these relationships before choosing layout treatment. Their order may change with the task, but each one needs an explicit place.
- Query input
- High-value filters
- Accurate result count
- Results and recovery
States the screenshot will not show
A polished default view is incomplete. Design and verify these states so the implementation stays useful when data, permissions, timing, or connectivity change.
- Initial results
- Loading
- Filtered results
- No results
- Filter error
Responsive and accessible behavior
Move complex filters into an accessible drawer only when inline controls no longer fit; keep active filters and result count visible.
- Label every control
- Announce result-count changes
- Keep clear/reset actions reachable
UI/UX and public-page checks
The pattern prompt carries these implementation checks into the task. Apply only the public-page checks that match the route and content.
- 09 Choice
- 10 Chunking
- 11 Disclosure
- 12 Feedback
- 13 Recovery
- 14 Accessibility
- 15 Responsive
- 06 Parameters/facets
- 08 Site architecture
- 09 Rendering
- 15 Mobile/accessibility
- 16 Content overlap
Full implementation prompt
This combines the shared inspection contract, the pattern-specific task, fit guidance, verification requirements, and a visible source link. Replace bracketed context with real product details before using it.
You are designing or repairing a real interface inside an existing product. Do not start by decorating it.
FIRST, establish the screen job in one sentence: “This screen helps [specific user] understand/do [specific thing] so they can [specific next action].” Inspect the current repository, `design.md`, existing components, tokens, routes, data flow, accessibility behavior, tests, and any supplied reference screenshot before editing. Preserve working product behavior and the project’s existing brand language unless the task explicitly replaces it.
Use the Morten A. Giraffe UI/UX field-guide principles as constraints: purpose before polish, visible hierarchy, relationship-driven spacing, meaningful contrast, clear proximity, behavioral consistency, familiar interaction patterns, reachable targets, structured choice, chunking, progressive disclosure, immediate feedback, recoverable errors, accessibility, responsive purpose, deliberate sequence, trust near doubt, and outcome-based measurement.
ANTI-AI-SLOPE RULES: do not default to generic SaaS composition, random gradients, glow effects, glassmorphism, oversized rounded cards, cards-inside-cards, decorative icon circles, fake stats, fake testimonials, meaningless bento grids, excessive pills, filler copy, giant empty spacing, or animation that does not explain state. Do not invent proof, customer names, metrics, security claims, reviews, or product capabilities.
SPECIFIC TASK — FILTER SIDEBAR
Group facets by meaning, show counts only if accurate, make selected state obvious, include reset and result count, and choose instant versus explicit Apply based on speed/predictability. On mobile, transform to an accessible drawer/sheet with selected-count summary.
Use when: Several independent filters materially change a list.
Avoid when: One or two simple filters fit inline.
IMPLEMENTATION CONTRACT
- Use semantic HTML and the project’s existing accessible primitives before creating new ones.
- Keep one clear primary action; visually subordinate secondary and tertiary actions.
- Design the complete state model where relevant: idle, hover/focus, loading, success, empty, partial data, disabled, validation error, server error, offline/retry, and permission/locked.
- Preserve user input after recoverable errors. Explain what happened and the next useful action.
- Make keyboard operation, visible focus, logical tab order, screen-reader naming, contrast, reduced motion, zoom/reflow, and touch targets part of the implementation—not a later patch.
- Treat mobile as the same purpose under different constraints, not a squeezed desktop. Verify narrow phones, tablet, desktop, long content, and 200% zoom.
- Avoid new dependencies unless the existing stack cannot reasonably support the requirement.
- Keep copy specific, human, and useful. Button labels should describe the outcome.
- For public/indexable pages, keep important meaning, links, headings, and metadata available without requiring client JavaScript; preserve truthful canonicals, titles, structured data, and internal links.
- Protect performance: avoid layout shift, oversized media, unnecessary client JavaScript, and effects that hurt responsiveness.
- Do not silently remove routes, integrations, analytics, auth behavior, deep links, metadata, or existing functionality.
- Run the project’s relevant build, typecheck, lint, tests, and targeted browser checks after implementation. Fix issues caused by your changes.
BEFORE CALLING IT COMPLETE, report: (1) page/screen job, (2) files changed, (3) what was preserved, (4) UX rules applied, (5) responsive/accessibility states verified, (6) tests/checks run with results, (7) remaining unknowns or production-only checks. Never claim “bug free,” “fully accessible,” or “regression free” without evidence.
Source: Morten A. Giraffe UI Prompt Field Guide — https://www.mortenagiraffe.com/journal/ui-prompt-library-for-vibe-coders/07-02-filter-sidebarVerify the result
Search a known item, combine filters, recover from zero results, and clear everything by keyboard. For “Filter sidebar,” success means the interface solves this fit: Several independent filters materially change a list.
Also confirm keyboard completion, visible focus, zoom and text reflow, reduced motion, touch targets, loading and error recovery, console output, existing behavior, and any route metadata affected by the change.