/gesture-patterns

name: gesture-patterns
description: 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