tooltipslisted

# Tooltips Accessibility Skill > **Canonical source**: `examples/TOOLTIP_ACCESSIBILITY_BEST_PRACTICES.md` in `mgifford/ACCESSIBILITY.md` > This skill is derived from that file. When in doubt, the example is authoritative. Apply these rules when implementing or reviewing tooltip components. **Only load this skill if the project contains tooltips.** --- ## Core Mandate Tooltips must convey supplementary information to all users regardless of input method. A tooltip unreachable by keyboard is an accessibility barrier. Tooltips are **non-interactive supplementary labels only**. If the content is essential, or contains links/buttons, use persistent text or a popover instead. --- ## Severity Scale (this skill) | Level | Meaning | | --- | --- | | **Critical** | Tooltip contains essential information with no other access route | | **Serious** | Tooltip unreachable by keyboard or AT | | **Moderate** | Tooltip accessible but WCAG 1.4.13 requirements not fully met | | **Minor** | Best-practice gap; marginal impact | --- ## Critical: Essential Information Must Not Live Only in a Tooltip A tooltip is supplementary by definition. If the information it contains is required to complete a task, it must also appear as persistent visible text. **Hiding essential content behind hover/focus only is Critical.** --- ## Serious: Tooltips Must Appear on Both Hover and Focus A tooltip that only appears on hover is **Serious** — keyboard users cannot trigger it. ```js function showToolt