Settings Pattern

Organizing settings into 9 clear categories with special emphasis on privacy transparency and user control.

9 Settings Categories

Fidus organizes all settings into logical categories that match user mental models.

👤

Account

Email, password, 2FA, delete account

🔒

Privacy

Data sharing, tracking, privacy report

🔔

Notifications

Email, push, in-app preferences

📅

Calendar

Default calendar, sync, time zone

💰

Finance

Default currency, budget alerts

✈️

Travel

Home location, travel preferences

🎨

Appearance

Theme, language, density

🔌

Integrations

Connected apps, OAuth tokens

⚙️

Advanced

Export data, API keys, developer mode

Interactive Settings Example

Settings use a sidebar navigation pattern on desktop. Click categories to explore different sections.

SETTINGS

Account

Manage your account details and security settings.

Two-Factor Authentication

Add an extra layer of security to your account

Danger Zone

Setting Types

Different types of settings use appropriate UI components.

TypeComponentExample
ToggleToggleSwitchDark mode, notifications enabled
SelectSelectTheme, language, time zone
InputTextInputEmail, API key
Multi-selectCheckbox GroupNotification channels

Usage Guidelines

When to use

  • Users need to configure application behavior
  • Multiple settings categories exist (3+)
  • Privacy controls are important to users
  • Account management features are needed

Best practices

  • Group related settings into logical categories
  • Provide a search bar for finding specific settings
  • Show privacy impact for data-related settings
  • Use autosave for simple toggles
  • Require confirmation for dangerous actions
  • Provide data export in multiple formats

Accessibility

  • Use nav for sidebar, main for content area
  • Focus moves to content when category changes
  • All form controls have descriptive labels
  • Provide skip links for keyboard users
  • Announce settings changes with toast messages

Do's and Don'ts

Do

  • Group related settings into logical categories
  • Show privacy impact for data-related settings
  • Use autosave for simple toggles
  • Require confirmation for dangerous actions
  • Provide data export in multiple formats
  • Make privacy settings prominent and easy to find

Don't

  • Bury important settings in obscure menus
  • Use technical jargon without explanations
  • Hide data collection practices
  • Allow account deletion without confirmation
  • Make privacy settings hard to discover
  • Force users through lengthy forms to change simple settings

Related Components

Resources