XDS — Design System

XDSHoverCard@xds/core · HoverCard

Preview coming soon

Usage

HoverCard shows additional information when the user hovers or focuses a trigger element. Use it for profile cards, link summaries, or inline definitions where the user needs more context without navigating away.

Best practices

Guidance	Practices
Do	Keep content supplementary — hover cards should enhance understanding without blocking the primary workflow.
Do	Provide a dashed underline on text triggers so users know the element is hoverable.
Do	Use the hook API (useXDSHoverCard) when you need more control over timing or placement.
Don't	Place critical actions or required information inside a hover card — users may miss content that only appears on hover.
Don't	Use a hover card when a simple Tooltip or Popover would suffice.
Don't	Use a HoverCard for content the user must interact with — it disappears when the cursor leaves.

Anatomy

Element		Description
Trigger	required	The element that opens the hover card on hover or focus — a button, link, or inline text.
Card	required	The floating overlay with the preview content, anchored to the trigger.
Body	required	The main content area — profile info, link summary, or any rich content.
Actions		Optional buttons inside the card for follow-up actions like Follow or Message.

Import

ts
import {XDSHoverCard} from '@xds/core/HoverCard'

Props

Prop	Type	Description
contentrequired	ReactNode	Hover card content.
children	ReactNode	Trigger element that must accept a ref.
placement	LayerPlacement (default: 'above')	Position relative to the anchor element.
alignment	LayerAlignment (default: 'center')	Alignment along the placement axis.
delay	number (default: 300)	Show delay in milliseconds.
hideDelay	number (default: 200)	Hide delay in milliseconds.
focusTrigger	'auto' \| 'always' \| 'never' (default: 'auto')	Controls when focus events trigger the hover card.
isEnabled	boolean (default: true)	Enables or disables the hover and focus triggers.
onOpenChange	(isOpen: boolean) => void	Callback fired when hover card visibility changes. Called with true when shown and false when hidden.
hasHoverIndication	'auto' \| boolean (default: 'auto')	Shows a dashed underline on the trigger element.
isDefaultOpen	boolean	Whether the hover card should be shown on mount. Still dismissible.

Sub-components

HoverCard is a compound component with 1 sub-component.

XDSHoverCard

Component wrapper for hover card display — a richer, larger overlay triggered on hover or focus.

Prop	Type	Description
contentrequired	ReactNode	Hover card content.
children	ReactNode	Trigger element that must accept a ref.
placement	LayerPlacement (default: 'above')	Position relative to the anchor element.
alignment	LayerAlignment (default: 'center')	Alignment along the placement axis.
delay	number (default: 300)	Show delay in milliseconds.
hideDelay	number (default: 200)	Hide delay in milliseconds.
focusTrigger	'auto' \| 'always' \| 'never' (default: 'auto')	Controls when focus events trigger the hover card.
isEnabled	boolean (default: true)	Enables or disables the hover and focus triggers.
onOpenChange	(isOpen: boolean) => void	Callback fired when hover card visibility changes. Called with true when shown and false when hidden.
hasHoverIndication	'auto' \| boolean (default: 'auto')	Shows a dashed underline on the trigger element.
isDefaultOpen	boolean	Whether the hover card should be shown on mount. Still dismissible.

Examples

Common configurations, variations, and states.

HoverCard — DefinitionShows a term definition on hover within a paragraph. Use for technical terms, jargon, or concepts that some readers may not know — like a glossary built into the text.

tsx
'use client';
import * as stylex from '@stylexjs/stylex';
import {XDSHoverCard} from '@xds/core/HoverCard';
import {XDSVStack} from '@xds/core/Layout';
import {XDSText} from '@xds/core/Text';
const styles = stylex.create({
  content: {maxWidth: 200},
});
export default function HoverCardInlineTextHoverCard() {
  return (
    <XDSText type="body">
      The component uses a{' '}
      <XDSHoverCard
        content={
          <XDSVStack gap={1} xstyle={styles.content}>
            <XDSText type="label">Focus trap</XDSText>
            <XDSText type="body" color="secondary">
              A pattern that keeps keyboard focus inside a container, preventing
              it from moving to elements outside. Used in dialogs and modals to
              ensure accessibility.
            </XDSText>
          </XDSVStack>
        }
        placement="above">
        focus trap
      </XDSHoverCard>{' '}
      to keep keyboard navigation inside the{' '}
      <XDSHoverCard
        content={
          <XDSVStack gap={1} xstyle={styles.content}>
            <XDSText type="label">Modal dialog</XDSText>
            <XDSText type="body" color="secondary">
              An overlay that blocks interaction with the rest of the page until
              the user responds. Uses the native HTML dialog element for
              built-in accessibility and backdrop support.
            </XDSText>
          </XDSVStack>
        }
        placement="above">
        modal dialog
      </XDSHoverCard>
      .
    </XDSText>
  );
}

HoverCard — Link PreviewShows a page summary when hovering a link — title, description, and URL. Use for documentation links, article references, or any URL where a preview helps the user decide whether to click.

tsx
'use client';
import * as stylex from '@stylexjs/stylex';
import {XDSHoverCard} from '@xds/core/HoverCard';
import {XDSIcon} from '@xds/core/Icon';
import {XDSVStack, XDSHStack} from '@xds/core/Layout';
import {XDSText} from '@xds/core/Text';
import {LinkIcon} from '@heroicons/react/24/outline';
const styles = stylex.create({
  content: {maxWidth: 280},
});
export default function HoverCardInteractiveContent() {
  return (
    <XDSText type="body">
      Read more in the{' '}
      <XDSHoverCard
        placement="below"
        content={
          <XDSVStack gap={2} xstyle={styles.content}>
            <XDSHStack gap={2} vAlign="start">
              <XDSIcon icon={LinkIcon} size="sm" color="secondary" />
              <XDSVStack gap={1}>
                <XDSText type="label">Getting Started Guide</XDSText>
                <XDSText type="body" color="secondary">
                  Learn how to set up your first project, invite team members,
                  and configure your workspace.
                </XDSText>
                <XDSText type="supporting" color="secondary">
                  docs.example.com/getting-started
                </XDSText>
              </XDSVStack>
            </XDSHStack>
          </XDSVStack>
        }>
        Getting Started Guide
      </XDSHoverCard>
      .
    </XDSText>
  );
}

HoverCard — Profile PreviewShows a user profile summary on hover with name, role, and bio. Use on usernames, avatars, or mentions to let users preview a profile without navigating away.

tsx
'use client';
import * as stylex from '@stylexjs/stylex';
import {XDSHoverCard} from '@xds/core/HoverCard';
import {XDSAvatar} from '@xds/core/Avatar';
import {XDSButton} from '@xds/core/Button';
import {XDSIcon} from '@xds/core/Icon';
import {XDSVStack, XDSHStack} from '@xds/core/Layout';
import {XDSText, XDSHeading} from '@xds/core/Text';
import {CalendarIcon} from '@heroicons/react/24/outline';
const styles = stylex.create({
  avatar: {flexShrink: 0},
  content: {maxWidth: 280},
});
export default function HoverCardProfileHoverCard() {
  return (
    <XDSHoverCard
      placement="below"
      content={
        <XDSHStack gap={3} vAlign="start" xstyle={styles.content}>
          <XDSAvatar name="Jane Doe" size={48} xstyle={styles.avatar} />
          <XDSVStack gap={1}>
            <XDSHeading level={3}>@janedoe</XDSHeading>
            <XDSText type="body" color="secondary">
              Crafting accessible, scalable design systems for modern teams.
            </XDSText>
            <XDSHStack gap={1} vAlign="center">
              <XDSIcon icon={CalendarIcon} size="xsm" color="secondary" />
              <XDSText type="supporting" color="secondary">
                March 2024
              </XDSText>
            </XDSHStack>
          </XDSVStack>
        </XDSHStack>
      }>
      <XDSButton label="@janedoe" variant="ghost" />
    </XDSHoverCard>
  );
}

Showcase source

tsx
'use client';
import {XDSHoverCard} from '@xds/core/HoverCard';
import {XDSButton} from '@xds/core/Button';
import {XDSStack} from '@xds/core/Layout';
import {XDSText, XDSHeading} from '@xds/core/Text';
import {XDSAvatar} from '@xds/core/Avatar';
import * as stylex from '@stylexjs/stylex';
const styles = stylex.create({
  card: {
    width: 240,
  },
});
export default function HoverCardShowcase() {
  return (
    <XDSHoverCard
      placement="above"
      isDefaultOpen
      content={
        <XDSStack direction="vertical" gap={2} xstyle={styles.card}>
          <XDSStack direction="horizontal" gap={2} vAlign="center">
            <XDSAvatar name="Jane Doe" size="medium" />
            <XDSStack direction="vertical" gap={0}>
              <XDSHeading level={5}>Jane Doe</XDSHeading>
              <XDSText type="supporting" color="secondary">
                Software Engineer
              </XDSText>
            </XDSStack>
          </XDSStack>
          <XDSText type="body" color="secondary">
            Building great products with great people.
          </XDSText>
        </XDSStack>
      }>
      <XDSButton label="@janedoe" variant="ghost" />
    </XDSHoverCard>
  );
}