Dense mobile reading without scroll traps
Old-Reddit density works because overview and control stay with the reader, not because text is forced small.
Current explanation
A dense reading surface can expose many headings, statuses, and links while still letting prose reflow. Use stable anchors, natural document scrolling, contained overflow only for code, and touch targets that remain usable at phone widths. Preserve browser zoom and Back; avoid mandatory scroll snap and full-screen cards that seize navigation.
Lesson path
- 01
Overview
currentList what remains visible before opening a record.
- 02
Reflow
nextVerify prose at a 320 CSS-pixel viewport.
- 03
Return
optionalRestore the exact anchor and reading position after a detour.
Open questions
- Which overview cues survive when browser text zoom reaches 200%?
Selected Q&A
Why avoid mandatory scroll snap?
It replaces the reader’s continuous position with component-owned paging and makes partial reading or reversing direction feel sticky.
Next actions
- Test the index at 320px and 200% zoom.
- Compare anchor return with a breadcrumb-only flow.
Sources
- WCAG 2.2 Reflow
Reflow and two-dimensional scrolling guidance.
Revision trail
· learning:dense-mobile-reading-without-scroll-traps@r1
Combined dense overview with reflow and natural scrolling constraints.