§7.1 Text Treatments

Applications MUST use exactly 4 typographic treatments:

RoleSGR AttributesUse
DisplayBold (SGR 1) + optional UPPERCASEScreen titles, hero metrics
TitleBold (SGR 1)Section headers, panel titles, column headers
BodyNormal (no attributes)Content text, field values, menu items
LabelDim (SGR 2)Secondary info, placeholders, help text, timestamps

Applications MUST NOT combine more than 2 SGR attributes on a single text span (e.g., Bold + Underline is acceptable; Bold + Dim + Italic is not). (monospace-design-tui-research.md cross-cutting synthesis — 4 text treatments)

§7.2 Focus and Selection Indication

  • Focused text MUST use reverse video (SGR 7).
  • If reverse video is insufficient for the context (e.g., list items that are already highlighted), bracket markers [▸ item ◂] MAY be used as an alternative.

(monospace-design-tui-research.md unified state model)

§7.3 Error Text

Error text MUST use red foreground (SGR 31 or bright red SGR 91). For critical errors, a red background (SGR 41) MAY be used. Error text MUST be accompanied by an explanatory message — a red-colored field with no text explanation violates this rule. (CUA §1, §5.3 color independence)