Navigation

Navigation link

Represents one destination within a navigation component.

implementedReference catalog.he-linkHeLink

Overview

Represents one destination within a navigation component. Its semantic foundation is Anchor with current-page state when applicable. Source scope: Reference catalog.

This element maps to the existing link component contract.

Visual Example

Current destination

When to Use

Use Navigation link when its semantic purpose matches the user task. Prefer native platform behavior, concise labels, predictable placement, and content that remains understandable without visual styling.

Do

Use the canonical element ID and semantic role.
Keep labels and state programmatically available.
Test the element with real content and every supported input modality.

Don't

Do not substitute a visually similar element with different semantics.
Do not add focusable descendants without a documented keyboard model.
Do not communicate state through color or motion alone.

Anatomy

1Navigation landmark

2Accessible label

3Destination items

4Current state

Variants

defaultcompactresponsive

Variants preserve the same semantics and accessible name. Density changes never reduce the minimum interactive target.

States

resthoverfocus-visibleactivecurrentdisabled

Focus-visible takes precedence over hover and selected styling. Loading and disabled behavior never silently remove essential information or recovery paths.

Behavior

Tab follows document order; composite navigation uses documented arrow-key behavior only when required. Web targets are at least 44 × 44 CSS pixels and Flutter targets are at least 48 × 48 dp.

Accessibility

Anchor with current-page state when applicable. The element exposes an accessible name, role, state, value, and result where applicable; retains visible 3:1 focus indication; supports 200% text scaling and 320 CSS pixel reflow; and preserves structure in forced-colors and reduced-motion modes.

Tokens

color.* semantic roles→component.link.*→.he-link

Spacing, sizing, typography, border, radius, icon, motion, focus, and color decisions resolve from canonical tokens. Element code does not contain arbitrary visual literals.

Web and Flutter API

Web

<div class="he-link">Navigation link</div>

Flutter

HeLink(
  child: const Text('Navigation link'),
)

ds-navigation-link is a registry identifier only; this library does not register an autonomous custom element under that name. Use the mapped component or native semantic composition shown above.

When an element includes an icon, use the exact Tabler name and semantic size from Foundations · Iconography.

Status

implemented. The contract is registered, visually represented, and included in automated documentation and accessibility validation. This status describes contract coverage, not independent production certification.