From d970b393b99a2cbb28a3e89dbcded220366627cf Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "google-labs-jules[bot]"
 <161369871+google-labs-jules[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:44:48 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] feat: Semantic keyboard shortcuts and styling for game
 instructions
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Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
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Wrapped the key bindings (Space and ↑) in the game instructions using semantic <kbd> tags and added physical key styling using box-shadows, text-shadows, and monospace fonts to improve discoverability and intuitive UX. Also recorded UX learnings to the palette journal.

Co-authored-by: EiJackGH <172181576+EiJackGH@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 .Jules/palette.md        |  3 +++
 src/views/mario-game.njk | 14 +++++++++++++-
 2 files changed, 16 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/.Jules/palette.md b/.Jules/palette.md
index 49b0751..b96fc5d 100644
--- a/.Jules/palette.md
+++ b/.Jules/palette.md
@@ -19,3 +19,6 @@
 ## 2024-08-06 - Screen Reader Accessible Dynamic Text
 **Learning:** Dynamic text changes, like game scores, are invisible to screen readers unless explicitly marked. Do not place static text (like instructions) inside an `aria-live` region, as it forces screen readers to unnecessarily repeat the static text every time the dynamic content updates. Extract static text into a separate sibling element.
 **Action:** Add `aria-live="polite"` to the container of the dynamic value and extract static text out of it.
+## 2026-08-24 - Semantic Keyboard Shortcuts
+**Learning:** Explicitly highlighting keyboard shortcuts using semantic <kbd> tags with physical key styling improves intuitiveness and discoverability. Applying text-shadows ensures high contrast against dynamic backgrounds.
+**Action:** Always wrap key shortcuts in <kbd> and apply text-shadows and physical key styling to ensure high contrast against dynamic backgrounds.
diff --git a/src/views/mario-game.njk b/src/views/mario-game.njk
index c84e3f2..95dc305 100644
--- a/src/views/mario-game.njk
+++ b/src/views/mario-game.njk
@@ -62,6 +62,18 @@
       font-family: Arial;
       pointer-events: none;
     }
+
+    kbd {
+      background-color: #f7f7f7;
+      color: #333;
+      border: 1px solid #ccc;
+      border-radius: 4px;
+      padding: 2px 6px;
+      font-size: 14px;
+      font-family: monospace;
+      box-shadow: 0 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
+      text-shadow: 1px 1px 0 #fff;
+    }
   </style>
 </head>
 
@@ -69,7 +81,7 @@
 
 <div id="game">
   <div id="score-container">Score: <span id="score-value" aria-live="polite">0</span></div>
-  <div id="instructions">Press Space or ↑ to jump!</div>
+  <div id="instructions">Press <kbd>Space</kbd> or <kbd>↑</kbd> to jump!</div>
   <div id="mario"></div>
   <div class="ground"></div>
 </div>