cross-plat-design/platform-rules/windows.md

Windows Platform Rules

Interaction and layout

• Support window resizing without losing unsaved state.
• Use persistent sidebars at expanded widths.
• Support keyboard navigation, visible focus indicators, mouse hover, and context menus.
• Provide discoverable keyboard shortcuts and tooltips for unfamiliar icon-only actions.
• Allow panels to collapse and, where useful, resize.
• Preserve editor state when the window changes size or loses focus.

Capabilities and permissions

• Use the platform adapter for native file dialogs and application directories.
• Handle file access failures as recoverable errors.
• Account for high-DPI scaling and Windows display scaling.
• Avoid assuming a fixed title-bar or minimum-window size.

Release requirements

• Validate the packaged installer or distribution format used by the project.
• Test on supported Windows versions and common display scaling settings.
• Verify keyboard shortcuts, context menus, file selection, high-DPI rendering, and resize behavior before release.

Smoke-test checklist

• Resize the window repeatedly while editing unsaved content.
• Navigate all primary destinations with keyboard and mouse.
• Open, save, and cancel native file dialogs.
• Confirm focus indicators and tooltips are visible.
• Verify the packaged build starts and restores expected application state.