UserControlFreedom [fact] v1.0.0

Nielsen Heuristic 3 — User Control and Freedom: Users often choose system functions by mistake and will need a clearly marked 'emergency exit' to leave the unwanted state without having to go through an extended dialogue. Support undo and redo.

Confidence

proven

Evidence

@nielsen/source-nielsen-1994

Heuristic Number

3

Violations

• Irreversible delete with no undo — data is lost immediately on click.
• Wizard-style flow with no 'Back' button — users are locked into forward progression.
• No cancel option during a long-running operation (only a spinner).

UserControlFreedom [fact] v1.0.0

Nielsen Heuristic 3 — User Control and Freedom: Users often choose system functions by mistake and will need a clearly marked 'emergency exit' to leave the unwanted state without having to go through an extended dialogue. Support undo and redo.

Confidence

proven

Evidence

@nielsen/source-nielsen-1994

Heuristic Number

3

Violations

• Irreversible delete with no undo — data is lost immediately on click.
• Wizard-style flow with no 'Back' button — users are locked into forward progression.
• No cancel option during a long-running operation (only a spinner).

Examples

• Cmd+Z undo that works for at least 20 history steps in a rich text editor.
• Gmail's 'Undo Send' with a 5–30 second window after clicking Send.
• Clear 'Cancel' button in every modal dialog as a prominent escape hatch.

Confidence

proven

Evidence

@nielsen/source-nielsen-1994

Heuristic Number

3

Violations

• Irreversible delete with no undo — data is lost immediately on click.
• Wizard-style flow with no 'Back' button — users are locked into forward progression.
• No cancel option during a long-running operation (only a spinner).