Desktop Application UI Patterns

Actionable desktop interface patterns for requirements gathering and design review. Use when target platform is native or cross-platform desktop application.

Native vs Cross-Platform

Native advantages: Platform conventions feel familiar | better system integration (file dialogs, notifications, drag-and-drop) | consistent OS look and feel | better accessibility through native APIs.

Cross-platform tradeoffs: Shared codebase reduces cost | visual consistency may conflict with platform expectations | custom rendering may miss OS accessibility features.

Guidance: If users primarily on one platform, prioritize native conventions. If cross-platform required, follow each platform's conventions for core interactions (menus, shortcuts, window management) while sharing domain-specific UI.

Core Desktop UI Elements

Menu Bar

Primary access point for all commands. Organize by convention: File, Edit, View, then domain-specific, ending with Window and Help. Every item should have keyboard shortcut for frequent actions. Group with separators; submenus sparingly (one level deep preferred).

Toolbar

Quick access to most common commands (subset of menu bar). Should be configurable: show, hide, rearrange. Every button must have tooltip. Include both icon and text label for primary actions.