Keyboard Interactions & Skip Links
Support keyboard-first users: native buttons/links, logical tab order, arrow-key patterns, and a visible skip link to main content.
Keyboard Interactions & Skip Links is a free React Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 3. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the React Academy learning path, one of 3 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Why keyboard support
Goal: Make the app fully usable with a keyboard.
- Prefer native button/a
- Logical Tab order
- Provide a skip link
Prefer native controls
- Use button for clicks (Space/Enter work by default)
- Use a href for navigation (Enter)
- Avoid clickable divs; if needed, add role, tabindex, and key handlers
Demo: real button beats div
Native buttons give focus, keyboard keys, and semantics for free.
<div id="root"></div>
Demo: arrow keys (roving tabindex)
Provide arrow-key movement inside composite widgets (simple list with roving tabindex).
<div id="root"></div>
Demo: skip to content
Add a first-focus skip link that jumps to main content.
<div id="root"></div>
Checklist & tips
- Place the skip link first in DOM; make it visible on focus
- Ensure main region can receive focus (tabIndex=-1)
- Keep Tab order logical; avoid tabindex greater than 0
Skip link purpose check
Recap
Recap: Prefer native controls, support arrow keys in composite widgets, and add a visible-on-focus skip link to reach main content fast.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Keyboard Interactions & Skip Links” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Keyboard Interactions & Skip Links” is free to read here on the web, and the React Academy course includes 3 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the React Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Keyboard Interactions & Skip Links”?
Support keyboard-first users: native buttons/links, logical tab order, arrow-key patterns, and a visible skip link to main content. You practise React Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start React Academy?
No prior experience is required. React Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 3, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Keyboard Interactions & Skip Links” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this React Academy lesson?
Yes. Every React Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Semantics, Labels, Roles, Focus
- Keyboard Interactions & Skip Links
- Testing A11y Basics