Stay close to the work.

Open a small task beside its trigger, or add a short explanation to an action. The surrounding page stays available.

Panels and supplemental help

Different focus contracts

Popover moves focus into a small task panel and closes when focus leaves. It does not trap Tab or make the page inert. Tooltip never takes focus; its trigger keeps a complete label. Essential instructions belong in visible text.

Placement follows the available space

Both components use the browser top layer, reposition on scroll and resize, and flip or clamp near viewport edges. Eight pixels separate the trigger and content by default. Hidden anchors request dismissal. Controlled state remains owned by the application.

Dismiss the nearest layer

Escape dismisses the top floating layer before an enclosing modal. Popovers also close after an outside press and release; nested panels close one layer per gesture. Tooltip remains available while its trigger or text is hovered, and keyboard focus shows it immediately.

Implementation references: the HTML popover standard and the W3C tooltip pattern.