Quickactions

Quickactions are contextual shortcuts in software interfaces that provide rapid access to commonly used operations directly from a relevant screen or item, without requiring users to navigate through multiple menus. They are typically represented as small icons, text labels, or compact action panels that surface actions likely needed in the current context.

They are triggered by interactions such as long-press on touch devices, swipe, hover with a cursor on desktop, or by selecting an item and opening a dedicated quick-actions area. They may appear as part of the item’s row, in a floating action bar, or in a context menu.

Common examples include actions like reply, delete, edit, share, archive, or mark as read. The exact set of available actions is usually tailored to the item type and user role, and can evolve based on usage patterns or permissions.

Design considerations: keep the set small and task-relevant, ensure clear and unambiguous labeling, order actions by frequency or importance, maintain consistency across screens, and ensure accessibility via keyboard navigation and screen-reader labels. Avoid introducing destructive actions without explicit confirmation and provide visual feedback on interaction.

Advantages include faster task completion and reduced navigation steps; potential drawbacks include discoverability issues for new users and interface clutter if too many actions are exposed. Effective quick-actions patterns balance visibility, relevance, and consistency across platforms.

See also: contextual menu, action bar, shortcuts, share sheet, command palette.