UpfrontFieldRequirements [rule] v1.0.0

Mandatory fields, format requirements, and character limits must be visible before the user attempts to submit — never revealed only after a validation error.

Severity

warning

Applies When

designing any form with mandatory fields, format constraints, or character limits

Verify By

Load the form without interacting. Are required fields marked? Are format hints (e.g. 'MM/DD/YYYY') visible? Are character limits shown? All must be present before submission attempt.

Use Instead

Display required-field markers (*), format hints, and character limits inline before submission attempt.

UpfrontFieldRequirements [rule] v1.0.0

Mandatory fields, format requirements, and character limits must be visible before the user attempts to submit — never revealed only after a validation error.

Severity

warning

Applies When

designing any form with mandatory fields, format constraints, or character limits

Verify By

Load the form without interacting. Are required fields marked? Are format hints (e.g. 'MM/DD/YYYY') visible? Are character limits shown? All must be present before submission attempt.

Use Instead

Display required-field markers (*), format hints, and character limits inline before submission attempt.

Examples

• Phone field: shows 'Enter with country code e.g. +1 555 000 0000' as placeholder or helper text before any interaction.
• Password creation: character requirements (8 chars, 1 number, 1 symbol) shown below the field before typing.
• Character limit: a 280-character bio field shows '0 / 280' counter before the user starts typing.
• Bad: a date field that only reveals 'Please enter MM/DD/YYYY format' after the user submits '15/3/2026'.

Rationale

Discovering requirements only through errors creates frustration and extra round-trips. Users who fill a form correctly the first time are more likely to convert and trust the product.

Severity

warning

Applies When

designing any form with mandatory fields, format constraints, or character limits

Verify By

Load the form without interacting. Are required fields marked? Are format hints (e.g. 'MM/DD/YYYY') visible? Are character limits shown? All must be present before submission attempt.

Use Instead

Display required-field markers (*), format hints, and character limits inline before submission attempt.