Skip to main content

Message scroller

A scrolling list of messages that keeps the newest in view.

In Dense data

See it live​

Start Storybook to see it live: npm run storybook
Live from StorybookOpen Message scroller in StorybookSee it in dark

When to use it​

In Dense data: A thread of notes on an alert where new ones arrive at the bottom. Not for static lists.

  • Use it when: A live conversation where new messages arrive at the bottom.
  • Not when: A static list (a scroll area).

Instead:

Words​

  • Lead with the object, then the state: "Alert 2041 contained."
  • Use numbers, not words for numbers.
  • One verb per button. No "please", no exclamation marks.
  • Use: Investigate, Filter, Assign, Escalated, Resolved. Avoid: Oops, Awesome, Please, Simply.

The labels components use, from the voice tokens:

  • content.action.commit: Save
  • content.action.cancel: Cancel
  • content.action.destroy: Delete
  • content.action.retry: Retry
  • content.action.empty-action: Change filters

See Voice and tone for the whole voice.

Accessibility and keyboard​

Test before you ship:

  • New messages are announced politely without moving focus. undefined

Use it in code​

npx open-ds add message-scroller

The component reads only component keys and semantic tokens, so it follows the brand and mode on <html>.

Tokens it reads​

Message scroller reads 5 tokens of its own, each an alias of a semantic token. Each row is one part: its own token, the semantic it aliases, and the value it ends at. Change a semantic and every component that reads it follows; override one of Message scroller's tokens to change Message scroller alone.

Changes with theme

Dense data decides what changes when you switch theme. Here a switch changes colors only, so the marked rows differ between light and dark; everything else holds steady.

PartIts token and the semantic it aliasesValue
Message scroller
Gapcomponent.message-scroller.gapspace.gap.groupvar(--message-scroller-gap)space.16:1rem
Cornercomponent.message-scroller.radiusradius.controlvar(--message-scroller-radius)radius.2:0.125rem
Focus
on focus		component.message-scroller.focusborder-width.focusvar(--message-scroller-focus)border-width.2:2px
Focus ring focus
Changes with theme
on focus		component.message-scroller.focus-ring-focuscolor.border.focusvar(--message-scroller-focus-ring-focus)Lightviolet.light.600:#4B3FD9Darkviolet.dark.600:#A9A3F6
Focus ring offset focus
Changes with theme
on focus		component.message-scroller.focus-ring-offset-focuscolor.surface.canvasvar(--message-scroller-focus-ring-offset-focus)Lightslate.light.50:#F7F8FADarkslate.dark.0:#0D1117