Principles
Five principles make the desktop understandable at the moment of action.
Show what is known
A request is an intent, not an observed result. Pending, submitted, refused and unknown each retain their own words. Refresh reads current facts without repeating an uncertain mutation.
Keep targets steady
A held press stays bound to the same target. Preview delivery and asynchronous content preserve control identity and geometry, so an item cannot move under a pointer or keyboard focus.
Separate attention
Application activity, focused window, candidate, focused control, recipient and family are distinct facts. Their marks can coexist without one claiming the meaning of another.
Use color economically
Black and red establish Warlock’s identity. Neutral surfaces carry content; secondary colors communicate specific information alongside a shape and words.
Preserve access
Keyboard operation, enlarged text, high contrast and reduced motion preserve meaning and actions. A shadow or color alone never carries an essential cue.
In practice
A window switcher can show a candidate without claiming activation. A failed operation gives a reason rather than an optimistic success mark. Try the window switcher.