Site alert: don't stack, don't panic
site-alert-dont-stack-dont-panic
One full-width site alert near the top. Do not stack. Multiple messages = a list of links inside a single site alert. Positioning already gives weight; do not use heavy red/orange panic colour. Dual-cite GOV.UK notification banner and System status: sitewide static, never form validation, never stacked.
Description
USWDS allows one full-width site alert near the top. Do not stack alerts; multiple messages become a list of links inside a single site alert. Positioning already gives weight—do not rely on heavy red or orange panic colour. Dual-cite GOV.UK notification banner and system-status guidance: sitewide static, never form validation, never stacked. Stacked alerts, validation misuse, or panic colour as the only signal fail.
When to use
Publishing sitewide static status that must stay visible across pages.
Not when
Form or task validation, or stacked separate site alerts.
Agent hint
Ship one site alert; nest extra messages as links; avoid panic-red as the only weight.
At most one sitewide static site alert; extra messages are links inside it; not used for form/task validation; colour is not panic-red/orange as the only weight.
Stacked site alerts; site alert used as field/page form validation; or panic colour as the only signal.
Citations
USWDS — Site alert
https://designsystem.digital.gov/components/site-alert/