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Tabindex

Design
tabindex

Tabindex is an Agent Skill for design published in the thedaviddias/Front-End-Checklist repository on GitHub: a SKILL.md instruction file an AI agent can load to do this task.

Use when reviewing rendered HTML, interactive components, or design-system patterns related to Use appropriate tabindex values. Check native semantics first, then inspect keyboard behavior, focus flow, accessible names, and screen-reader output where relevant.

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How to use this skill

Bring this guide into your coding agent with a prompt tailored to the tool you use.

  1. Open your project in Codex.
  2. Copy and paste the prompt below.
  3. Review files and risks before approving any action.
Prompt to paste
Inspect the Agent Skill at https://github.com/thedaviddias/Front-End-Checklist/blob/HEAD/skills/tabindex/SKILL.md and all supporting files. Report provenance, permissions, scripts, dependencies, and security risks. Propose an exact installation into .agents/skills/tabindex, but wait for my approval before writing files or running scripts.

Copying this prompt does not install or run the skill. Review third-party files before use.

Use appropriate tabindex values

Incorrect tabindex values can create a confusing navigation experience, making it difficult for keyboard users to predict where focus will move next.

Quick Reference

  • Stick to tabindex="0" for custom interactive elements
  • Use tabindex="-1" for elements that should only be focusable via script
  • Avoid positive values (1, 2, 3...) which break natural tab order

Check

Check for any positive tabindex values and ensure custom interactive elements are focusable.

Fix

Remove positive tabindex values and use tabindex="0" or -1 appropriately.

Explain

Explain why positive tabindex values are problematic for keyboard navigation and user experience.

Code Review

Review the rendered markup and interactive states that affect Use appropriate tabindex values. Flag exact elements, roles, labels, focus behavior, or keyboard interactions that violate the rule, and note how to verify the fix with browser accessibility tooling or assistive tech.

For full implementation details, code examples, and framework-specific guidance, see references/rule.md.

Rule page: https://frontendchecklist.io/en/rules/accessibility/tabindex