Drag & Drop Patterns

When to Use

• Reordering items in a list (priority, sequence)
• Kanban-style board movement (status changes)
• File upload zones
• Widget/layout customization

Interaction Design

1. Drag handle: Use a grip icon (⠿ or ≡), don't make the entire item draggable (interferes with text selection)
2. Cursor change: grab on hover, grabbing while dragging
3. Drop preview: Show where the item will land (insertion line or placeholder)
4. Ghost/shadow: Semi-transparent copy of the item follows the cursor
5. Auto-scroll: Scroll the container when dragging near edges
6. Snap: Items snap to valid drop positions

Feedback

• Source item shows reduced opacity or placeholder
• Valid drop zones highlight
• Invalid drop zones show a "not allowed" indicator
• Animation when item settles into position
• Undo option after drop (toast with "Undo" action)

Accessibility

Drag and drop MUST have a keyboard alternative:

• Select item (Space/Enter)
• Move with arrow keys
• Drop with Space/Enter
• Cancel with Escape
• Screen reader announcements at each step

Mobile

• Long press to initiate drag (not immediate)
• Haptic feedback when item lifts and drops
• Larger touch targets for drag handles
• Consider "move to" action as an alternative to dragging