Google Add spatial UI
Build a usable surface: information and controls that remain legible, targetable, and observable in their intended pose.
1. Write the surface contract
Record every displayed value and action, its state owner, spatial anchor, appearance states, update cadence, desktop input, XR input, and observable result.
Complete this step when every value and control has a user purpose, source, anchor, and testable result.
2. Select the correct UI root
Read ../../docs/docs/manual/UI.mdx before
implementation.
- Use
UICardfor a world-space surface measured and positioned in meters. - Use
UIOverlayfor a bounded view-space surface. - Use
UIPanelonly inside a card or overlay for layout or visual grouping.
Import components from xrblocks. Built-in UI starts automatically and joins
the normal XR Blocks interaction pipeline. Application code does not enable a
UI subsystem, register UIKit, or install a second raycaster.
Complete this step when one root owns the intended coordinate space and every nested element has one layout parent.
3. Compose semantic UI
Build reading order with UIPanel, UIText, UIImage, and UIIcon. Use
UIButton and UISlider for actions instead of raw pointer handlers. Use
ModelViewer for supported interactive model presentation. Use semantic UI for
status, telemetry, instructions, and debug state instead of canvas sprites.
Treat UICard.size and world transforms as meters. Treat descendant numeric
layout values as UIKit layout units. Treat numeric lineHeight as a font-size
multiplier; use px or % strings for explicit units.
Use size: {width, height: 'auto'} for content-driven cards. Keep the width
fixed so text and percentage-width children have a stable wrapping constraint.
Use a numeric height only when the surface must have a fixed physical size.
Complete this step when all content fits at the intended physical size and each state-changing control has hover or active feedback plus an observable result.
4. Connect state, theme, and spatial behavior
Update component properties directly. Keep mounted text and controls stable; change structure only when the application structure changes. Use a theme preset or theme update for shared palette and structural roles, then use local styles for exceptions.
Use pointerEvents, interactionEnabled, visibility, material depth behavior,
and opacity for their separate purposes. Transparency alone does not disable
depth writes or input.
Read ../../docs/docs/manual/Placement.md
when the root follows, faces, or orbits another object. Read
../../docs/docs/manual/Interaction.md
for manipulation and target semantics.
Complete this step when state changes update the intended mounted element, theme changes produce the intended structure and palette, and placement does not compete with user manipulation.
5. Validate and hand off
Build or type-check the app. After a completed UI frame, run xb.ui.validate()
for the root or all roots. Check overflow, clipping, disabled behavior, input,
cleanup, and relevant console output. Start from
../../templates/01_spatial_ui/ or the
closest focused sample for executable evidence.
Give the user the exact URL, viewing pose, input route, control instructions, and expected idle, hover, active, disabled, and result states. Name real-device checks for legibility, target size, occlusion, reach, and head motion.
Finish when validation and available smoke checks pass and the user can test every control and state without inferring expected behavior from source.