Accessibility + Performance

Accessibility baseline

Target WCAG 2.2 AA for production work unless the project specifies a higher standard.

Check at minimum:

• semantic landmarks/headings/controls and accessible names;
• keyboard order and operation;
• visible focus and focus not fully obscured by authored sticky/fixed content;
• contrast/non-text contrast as applicable;
• pointer target sizing/spacing;
• non-drag alternative for drag interactions where required;
• labels, errors and status communication;
• reduced-motion behavior;
• zoom/reflow and narrow-width usability;
• media alternatives where applicable.

Read references/gates.md for numerical gates.

Performance

Protect the user path before decorative fidelity:

• responsive/compressed images and reserved aspect ratios;
• font subset/weight discipline;
• lazy loading of noncritical creative code;
• animation of compositor-friendly properties when possible;
• no heavy JS work in scroll handlers;
• cap DPR/effects for 3D and stop offscreen render loops;
• avoid duplicated animation/component packages.

Measure rather than infer when a runnable app is available.