[Traits](https://oods-foundry.com/traits) / Sortable

# Sortable

Adds column sorting controls to list and table views.

Generated from @oods/foundry 0.10.1

- Group

  behavioral

- Maturity

  stable

- Contexts

  list

Sortable injects sort indicators into the header region near column headers, wires sort state to the data layer, and provides semantic token mappings for consistent sort UI styling across brands. The trait supports single-column sorting with ascending/descending/none cycle. Sort state is managed via sortField and sortDirection props, which the consuming layout binds to data ordering parameters or API sort queries.

## Fields it adds

| Field | Type | Required | Description |
| - | - | - | - |
| `sortField` | `string` | no | The currently active sort field name. Empty string means no active sort. |
| `sortDirection` | `string` (asc, desc) | no | Current sort direction. |
| `sortActive` | `boolean` | no | Whether sorting is currently applied (sortField is non-empty). |

## What it shows in each context

- [list](https://oods-foundry.com/contexts/list)

  `SortIndicator`

## Parameters

- `defaultSortField` `string`

  The field name to sort by on initial load. Empty means no default sort.

- `defaultSortDirection` `string`

  Default sort direction on initial load.

- `sortableFields` `string[]`

  List of field names that support sorting. When empty, all fields in the schema are considered sortable. When specified, only these fields show sort controls in the header.

- `triStateSort` `boolean`

  When true, sort cycles through ascending → descending → none (unsorted). When false, sort toggles between ascending and descending only.

## Objects that use it

No shipped object uses this trait.

## The trait file

`traits/behavioral/Sortable.trait.yaml`

```
trait:
  name: Sortable
  version: 1.0.0
  description: |
    Adds column sorting controls to list and table views. Sortable injects sort indicators
    into the header region near column headers, wires sort state to the data layer, and
    provides semantic token mappings for consistent sort UI styling across brands.

    The trait supports single-column sorting with ascending/descending/none cycle.
    Sort state is managed via sortField and sortDirection props, which the consuming layout
    binds to data ordering parameters or API sort queries.
  category: behavioral
  tags:
    - sorting
    - list-behavior
    - table
    - ordering

parameters:
  - name: defaultSortField
    type: string
    required: false
    description: The field name to sort by on initial load. Empty means no default sort.
    default: ""

  - name: defaultSortDirection
    type: string
    required: false
    description: Default sort direction on initial load.
    default: asc
    validation:
      enum:
        - asc
        - desc

  - name: sortableFields
    type: string[]
    required: false
    description: |
      List of field names that support sorting. When empty, all fields in the schema are
      considered sortable. When specified, only these fields show sort controls in the header.
    default: []
    validation:
      uniqueItems: true

  - name: triStateSort
    type: boolean
    required: false
    description: |
      When true, sort cycles through ascending → descending → none (unsorted).
      When false, sort toggles between ascending and descending only.
    default: true

schema:
  sortField:
    type: string
    required: false
    description: The currently active sort field name. Empty string means no active sort.
    default: ""

  sortDirection:
    type: string
    required: false
    description: Current sort direction.
    default: asc
    validation:
      enum:
        - asc
        - desc

  sortActive:
    type: boolean
    required: false
    description: Whether sorting is currently applied (sortField is non-empty).
    default: false

semantics:
  sortField:
    semantic_type: state.sort.field
    token_mapping: computed
    ui_hints:
      component: SortIndicator
      defaultParameter: defaultSortField
  sortDirection:
    semantic_type: state.sort.direction
    token_mapping: computed
    ui_hints:
      component: SortIndicator
      defaultParameter: defaultSortDirection
  sortActive:
    semantic_type: state.sort.active
    token_mapping: computed
    ui_hints:
      component: SortIndicator
      description: Drives visual highlight of the sorted column header.

view_extensions:
  list:
    - component: SortIndicator
      position: header
      priority: 8
      props:
        sortFieldProp: sortField
        sortDirectionProp: sortDirection
        sortableFieldsParameter: sortableFields
        triStateSortParameter: triStateSort
        defaultSortFieldParameter: defaultSortField
        defaultSortDirectionParameter: defaultSortDirection

tokens:
  sort.indicator.idle: "var(--sys-icon-subtle)"
  sort.indicator.active: "var(--sys-icon-primary)"
  sort.indicator.hover: "var(--sys-icon-hover)"
  sort.header.hover.bg: "var(--sys-surface-hover)"
  sort.header.active.bg: "var(--sys-surface-accent-subtle)"

dependencies: []

metadata:
  created: "2026-03-05"
  updated: "2026-03-05"
  owners:
    - design@oods.systems
  maturity: stable
  accessibility:
    keyboard: |
      Sort controls are activated via column header buttons:
      - Enter/Space to cycle sort direction on the focused column
      - Tab to move between sortable column headers
      - Sort state change is announced immediately
    screenreader: |
      Sortable column headers use button role with aria-sort attribute
      (ascending, descending, or none). On activation, the new sort state
      is announced via aria-live region (e.g., "Sorted by Name, ascending").
      Non-sortable columns do not have interactive sort controls.
  regionsUsed:
    - list
  examples:
    - Product catalog column sorting
    - User directory sorting
    - Invoice list sorting
  references:
    - "Trait Engine Spec v0.1 section 2"
```