Modal
A window that appears over the main content and blocks interaction with the rest of the page until the user acts on it or dismisses it.
Why it matters
A modal is an interruption with a demand: deal with this before anything else. Spend it only on decisions that genuinely block — destructive confirmations, required choices — because every unearned one teaches users to dismiss without reading.
The component
Everything behind the scrim is dead until you decide — which is exactly why a modal must be earned. The scrim itself is an exit.
The numbers
- Escape, scrim click, X — every modal needs all three exits
- Focus trapped inside — and returned on close
Related terms
On the checklists
Ask your assistant
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