Gestures
Every interaction in Current is designed to feel like water: fluid, responsive, and organic.
"Animations use carefully tuned springs with appropriate weight and momentum. The goal is for interactions to feel inevitable, like they couldn't work any other way."
The Hold Gesture
The hold gesture is central to Current's interaction model. Press and hold any article to reveal the radial action picker.
Watch the hold → drag → release cycle
See Radial Actions for details on each directional action.
Swipe to Release
Swipe left on any article to release it from your river. The physics are designed to feel satisfying. Tension builds as you pull, and the card springs away when released.
Watch the tension build, threshold trigger, and spring release
Cancelable
River Gestures
tap
Tap any article to open it in the reader. The transition animates smoothly.
hold
Press and hold to reveal the radial action picker with four directional options.
swipe left
Swipe left to release an article from your river. It may resurface later.
Edge Swipes
Left Edge → Search
Swipe from left to search
Swipe from the left edge of the screen to open the search overlay. Search across all your articles instantly.
Right Edge → Settings
Swipe from right for settings
Swipe from the right edge to open the settings panel. The panel tracks your finger with interactive physics.
Haptic Feedback
Current uses haptics to make gestures feel tangible. Each feedback type has meaning.
Reader Gestures
Swipe Back
Swipe from the left edge (or tap the back button) to return to the river from the reader.
Swipe to Release
In the reader, swipe left to release the article and return to the river in one fluid motion. Especially satisfying when you've finished reading.
Tap Images
Tap any image in an article to view it in a lightbox at full size.
Tap Title
Tap the article title to open the original URL in Safari.
Reduced Motion
Gesture Tips
Don't rush
Gestures are designed to feel good at a natural pace
Trust the feedback
Haptics and visual cues confirm when actions will trigger
Cancel anytime
Move your finger back or lift before the threshold
Learn by feel
The physics are consistent. Muscle memory develops quickly.