# PixelLoop

> Decorative constellation loop with rounded-dot and 45-degree vector-stroke variants; the glyph pool includes the studio D and T initials.

- Status: beta
- Group: display
- Page: https://www.digitaltableteur.com/design-system/components/pixel-loop
- Contract: https://www.digitaltableteur.com/contracts/v1/PixelLoop.contract.json

## When to use

Decorative constellation loop with rounded-dot and 45-degree vector-stroke variants; the glyph pool includes the studio D and T initials.

## When not to use

- Do not use it to communicate loading, progress, status, or instructions.
- Do not add labels or interaction to the glyphs.
- Do not replace the stepped cross-fade with smooth motion.

## Look-alikes

The contract names no look-alike with a deciding condition.

## Props

| Prop | Type | Default | Description | Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `size` | `"sm" \| "md" \| "lg"` | `md` | Scales the glyphs and the equal space between them. | No |
| `variant` | `"dots" \| "strokes"` | `dots` | Rounded dots or short, round-capped 45-degree strokes. | No |
| `rows` | `PixelLoopRows` | `2` | Number of three-cell rows in the field. | No |
| `animate` | `boolean` | `true` | Runs the cross-fade cycle. Disable for a deliberate static composition. | No |
| `cycle` | `boolean` | `false` | Renders a single glyph cell (one row, one column) that steps through the whole glyph pool one formation at a time. Ignores `rows`. | No |
| `collapsed` | `boolean` | `false` | One row only (`rows={1}`): shows just the first cell, and the loop is one cell wide. Turning it false grows the other cells open left to right, so a title that follows the loop slides along with it; instant when the visitor prefers reduced motion. Ignored with `cycle` and more rows. | No |

## Variants

- Available sizes: `sm`, `md`, `lg` (default `md`).
- Available variants: `dots`, `strokes` (default `dots`).
- Allowed `rows` values: `1`, `2`, `3` (default `2`).

## Invalid combinations

The contract records no invalid combinations.

## Keyboard

| Key | Behaviour |
| --- | --- |
| General | None: the graphic is decorative and never takes focus. |

## Rules

Every item under When not to use is a MUST NOT. MUST and SHOULD follow RFC 2119.

| Level | Rule | How it is checked |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MUST | ARIA: The decorative container and every glyph are hidden from assistive technology. | Not yet verified: no evidence record. WCAG 4.1.2. |
| MUST | ARIA: The component never enters the tab order. | Not yet verified: no evidence record. WCAG 4.1.2. |
| MUST | Required stories produce no axe violations at the configured severity. | Automated by `npm run test:stories:matrix:ci`. WCAG 2.5.8. |
| MUST | The accessibility tree (role, name, state) matches the committed snapshot for every required story. | Automated by `npm run test:stories:matrix:ci`. WCAG 1.3.1, 4.1.2. |
| MUST | The component remains legible and operable under a real browser forced-colors: active pass. | Automated by `npm run test:stories:hc`. |
| MUST | Positional, scale, and opacity motion is suppressed under prefers-reduced-motion. | Manual review, last on 2026-10-31. WCAG 2.2.2, 2.3.3. |
| MUST | Every documented keyboard interaction works as specified. | Not yet verified: no evidence record. WCAG 2.1.1, 2.1.2. |
| MUST | A human completed an end-to-end accessibility review of this component. | Manual review, last on 2026-10-31. |

## Install and import

- Install: `npm install @digitaltableteur/react` (version 0.9.1, restricted access on npm).
- Import: `import { PixelLoop } from "@digitaltableteur/react";`
- Entry point: `@digitaltableteur/react/content` exports it too.
- Styles: import `@digitaltableteur/react/style.css` once at the app boundary.

## Links

- Machine-readable contract (Design System Contract 1.0): https://www.digitaltableteur.com/contracts/v1/PixelLoop.contract.json
- Markdown version of this page: https://www.digitaltableteur.com/design-system/components/pixel-loop.md
- Component index as JSON: https://www.digitaltableteur.com/design-system/components.json
- All components: https://www.digitaltableteur.com/design-system/components
- Source: The implementation lives in a private repository. This page, its Markdown twin and the contract are generated from it at build time and are the public source of truth.