inspector
Anchored Inspector
A selected source keeps its readable properties in a nearby inspector instead of a detached modal.
overlays
Interaction for real content and products.
Media inspection, tactile form controls, lightweight data interaction and anchored contextual surfaces—without replacing native semantics or pulling in a platform-sized dependency.
04 · Overlays
Context should stay close to the thing it explains.
Detail
popover
Adaptive Popover
A contextual surface measures its local boundary, flips when needed and stays attached to the trigger.
tooltip
Tooltip
A short, non-interactive label appears near a control on hover or focus, and nowhere else.
dialog
Dialog
A standard modal dialog — scrim, focus trap and Escape — with no shared-element continuity to its trigger.
context-menu
Context Menu Surface
Pointer and explicit keyboard intent open actions at the source without requiring a platform-specific menu shell.
toolbar
Selection Toolbar
A nearby toolbar appears only after source surfaces are selected, keeping batch intent close to the selection.
Select an item to reveal its local actions.
nested
Nested Surface Stack
A contextual surface can open a child surface while preserving a clear back path through the local layer stack.
spotlight
Spotlight Overlay
A soft scrim lowers surrounding noise while a selected source remains the reason for the contextual layer.
Contextual layers
Keep the relationship visible.
These surfaces follow a source, rebind one context or make room beside it. They share a visual language without becoming one generic overlay.
peek
Peek Overlay
A lightweight preview overlays its source so the user can inspect context without leaving the collection.
cursor
Cursor Action Surface
A compact action surface follows pointer intent across a bounded source area and can be pinned for touch.
surface actions
Pointer follows · tap pins
docked
Edge Docked Panel
A contextual panel docks beside its source on wide screens and becomes an inline continuation on touch.
Workspace
The content makes room
On wide screens the panel docks beside this surface. On touch it becomes an inline continuation, so it never hides the page behind a drawer.
actions
Expanding Action Surface
A compact object action expands into an attached action row while retaining the source identity.
Project brief
Actions expand from the object they affect.
anchor
Follow Anchor Surface
A contextual surface tracks a moving source while keeping its relationship readable and bounded.
Follow anchor
The context stays with its moving source.
Anchor ready
shared
Shared Context Surface
Several sources rebind one persistent context surface, preserving its place and reducing layer churn.
morph
Morphing Context Surface
A source surface grows into a focused contextual editor while retaining its visual identity and return path.