Swipe to Release
Release articles from your river with a satisfying swipe-left gesture featuring physics-based tension and feedback.
The Gesture
- Start swiping left on any article card
- Feel the tension: the card compresses as you pull
- Watch the indicators: edge glow and count appear
- At ~120pt offset, you've hit the trigger threshold
- Release: the card springs away with momentum
Visual Feedback
Card Compression
As you drag, the card compresses horizontally. This creates a sense of tension, like pulling a rubber band.
Shadow Growth
A subtle shadow grows as tension increases, adding depth to the interaction.
Edge Glow
At about 60% tension, a soft glow appears at the edge, indicating you're approaching the trigger point.
Count Indicator
If releasing this article affects multiple items (e.g., in a thread), a count shows how many will be released.
Trigger Threshold
- ~120pt: Minimum to trigger release
- ~180pt: Maximum pull distance
- Below threshold: Card snaps back on release
- At/above threshold: Release executes
Haptic Feedback
- At threshold: Medium impact signals ready state
- On release: Heavy impact + follow-up double-tap
- On cancel: Soft impact as card snaps back
Physics
The release animation uses spring physics:
- Quick response time for snappy feel
- Crisp damping to prevent excessive bounce
- Momentum-based exit animation
Cancel Anytime
If you change your mind:
- Drag back toward the right
- Or lift your finger before reaching the threshold
- The card will spring back to its original position
What Happens to Released Articles
Released articles leave your river but aren't deleted:
- They won't appear in your current session
- They may resurface later if eligible (essays/evergreen)
- They can be found via search
- The source continues to provide new articles
In the Reader
The swipe-to-release gesture also works while reading:
- Swipe left to release and return to the river
- Especially satisfying after finishing an article
- Same physics and feedback as in the river