Keyboard shortcuts
Every keyboard interaction in the WidgetCore widgets and in this documentation site — search field, results list, pagination, the FAQ accordion and the docs shortcuts.
Every widget can be used entirely from the keyboard. This page lists every binding, in the widget and on this documentation site, plus the test patterns we recommend.
Live Search widget
When focus is on the field
| Key | Behaviour |
|---|---|
| Typing (2 or more characters) | Sends a debounced request (250 ms) and opens the results panel |
ArrowDown | Highlights the first result, or the next one |
ArrowUp | Highlights the previous result, or the last one when at the top |
Enter | Opens the highlighted result; with nothing highlighted, submits the form |
Escape | Closes the results panel and clears the highlighted item |
The highlighted result is tracked with aria-activedescendant on the field, so a screen reader announces the option as you move through the list without moving DOM focus.
When focus is inside the results
| Key | Behaviour |
|---|---|
Tab | Moves through the focusable elements of each result (links) |
Enter | Activates the focused link |
Escape | Closes the panel and returns focus to the field |
In List mode the panel closes when focus leaves the widget entirely; in Page mode results stay visible because there is no panel to close.
Pagination
| Key | Behaviour |
|---|---|
Tab | Moves through the page buttons in order |
Enter / Space | Activates the focused page button |
| After activation | Focus returns to the button that was pressed |
Returning focus to the pressed button (instead of the top of the page) keeps keyboard users oriented after the results are replaced.
FAQ widget
| Key | Behaviour |
|---|---|
Enter or Space | Opens or closes the focused question |
ArrowDown | Next question |
ArrowUp | Previous question |
Home | First question |
End | Last question |
Tab | Moves into the open answer, then to the next question |
Navigation wraps around: ArrowDown on the last question moves to the first, and ArrowUp on the first moves to the last. Closed answers are skipped by Tab because they use visibility: hidden.
This documentation site
| Key | Behaviour |
|---|---|
Ctrl + K (or Cmd + K) | Opens the search dialog |
/ | Opens the search dialog (when no field has focus) |
Escape | Closes the search dialog or an open menu |
ArrowDown / ArrowUp | Moves through the search results |
Enter | Opens the highlighted search result |
T | Switches between the light and dark theme |
Tab | Moves through the navigation, the sidebar groups and the table of contents |
Inside the search dialog focus is trapped: Tab cycles only through the dialog's controls until you close it, and focus returns to the element that opened the dialog.
Recommended test patterns
Field to result with the keyboard only
Tab to the field, type two characters, press ArrowDown twice, then Enter. The second result should open.
Escape closes everything
With the panel open, press Escape: the panel closes and focus stays on the field.
FAQ traversal
Tab to a question, press Enter, then End — focus should be on the last question. Press ArrowDown to wrap to the first.
Closed answers are not focusable
With every FAQ item closed, press Tab repeatedly: focus should skip all answer content.
Screen reader announcements
Listen for the field name, the “N results found.” status and the expanded/collapsed state of each FAQ item.
Reduced motion
Enable the OS setting and confirm that focus indicators are still visible and nothing depends on animation.