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Error Handling Design Template for PMs
A structured template for designing error handling patterns across your product. Covers error taxonomy, message writing, recovery flows, inline...
Updated 2026-03-05
Error Handling Design
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I show HTTP status codes to users?+
No. HTTP status codes are implementation details. Users do not know what 422 or 503 means. Translate every status code to a plain-language message. The mapping between status codes and user-facing messages belongs in the Error Taxonomy section of this template.
How long should error toasts stay visible?+
Warnings and minor errors: 5 seconds with auto-dismiss. The user glances, understands, and moves on. Critical errors that require action: do not auto-dismiss. Force the user to acknowledge or take action. All toasts should have a close button for users who read faster than the timer.
Should I disable the submit button when a form has errors?+
No. A disabled button with no explanation is confusing. Instead, keep the button enabled and show validation errors when the user clicks it. Scroll to the first invalid field and focus it. This pattern works better because users can see exactly what needs to be fixed, rather than wondering why the button is grayed out.
How should I handle errors in multi-step forms?+
Validate each step before allowing the user to proceed to the next. Show errors inline within the current step. If a server-side error occurs on the final submit, show the error on the step that contains the problematic field and navigate the user back to that step with their data preserved. Never lose data from completed steps. ---
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