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doc/development/ux_guide/copy.md

+# Copy
+
+The copy and messaging is a core part of the experience of GitLab and the conversation with our users. Follow the below conventions throughout GitLab.
+
+>**Note:**
+We are currently inconsistent with this guidance. Images below are created to illustrate the point. As this guidance is refined, we will ensure that our experiences align.
+
+## Contents
+* [Brevity](#brevity)
+* [Forms](#forms)
+* [Terminology](#terminology)
+
+---
+
+## Brevity
+Users will skim content, rather than read text carefully.
+When familiar with a web app, users rely on muscle memory, and may read even less when moving quickly.
+A good experience should quickly orient a user, regardless of their experience, to the purpose of the current screen. This should happen without the user having to consciously read long strings of text.
+In general, text is burdensome and adds cognitive load. This is especially pronounced in a powerful productivity tool such as GitLab.
+We should _not_ rely on words as a crutch to explain the purpose of a screen.
+The current navigation and composition of the elements on the screen should get the user 95% there, with the remaining 5% being specific elements such as text.
+This means that, as a rule, copy should be very short. A long message or label is a red flag hinting at design that needs improvement.
+
+>**Example:**
+Use `Add` instead of `Add issue` as a button label.
+Preferrably use context and placement of controls to make it obvious what clicking on them will do.
+
+---
+
+## Forms
+
+### Adding items
+
+When viewing a list of issues, there is a button that is labeled `Add`. Given the context in the example, it is clearly referring to issues. If the context were not clear enough, the label could be `Add issue`. Clicking the button will bring you to the `Add issue` form. Other add flows should be similar.
+
+![Add issue button](img/copy-form-addissuebutton.png)
+
+The form should be titled `Add issue`. The submit button should be labeled `Save` or `Submit`. Do not use `Add`, `Create`, `New`, or `Save Changes`. The cancel button should be labeled `Cancel`. Do not use `Back`.
+
+![Add issue form](img/copy-form-addissueform.png)
+
+### Editing items
+
+When in context of an issue, the affordance to edit it is labeled `Edit`. If the context is not clear enough, `Edit issue` could be considered. Other edit flows should be similar.
+
+![Edit issue button](img/copy-form-editissuebutton.png)
+
+The form should be titled `Edit Issue`. The submit button should be labeled `Save`. Do not use `Edit`, `Update`, `New`, or `Save Changes`. The cancel button should be labeled `Cancel`. Do not use `Back`.
+
+![Edit issue form](img/copy-form-editissueform.png)
+
+---
+
+## Terminology
+
+### Issues
+
+#### Adjectives (states)
+
+| Term | Use |
+| ---- | --- |
+| Open | Issue is active |
+| Closed | Issue is no longer active |
+
+>**Example:**
+Use `5 open issues` and do not use `5 pending issues`.
+Only use the adjectives in the table above.
+
+#### Verbs (actions)
+
+| Term | Use |
+| ---- | --- |
+| Add | For adding an issue. Do not use `create` or `new` |
+| View | View an issue |
+| Edit | Edit an issue. Do not use `update` |
+| Close | Closing an issue |
+| Re-open | Re-open an issue. There should never be a need to use `open` as a verb |
+| Delete | Deleting an issue. Do not use `remove` |
\ No newline at end of file

doc/development/ux_guide/index.md

@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@ The GitLab experience is broken apart into several surfaces. Each of these surfa
 
 ---
 
+### [Copy](copy.md)
+Conventions on text and messaging within labels, buttons, and other components.
+
+---
+
 ### [Features](features.md)
 The previous building blocks are combined into complete features in the GitLab UX. Examples include our navigation, filters, search results, and empty states.