---
{
  "schemaVersion": 1,
  "id": "DR-005",
  "title": "Rule of Consistency",
  "summary": "Visual meanings stay consistent.",
  "enforcement": "automated",
  "htmlUrl": "https://lanej.io/viewrule/rules/dr-005/",
  "markdownUrl": "https://lanej.io/viewrule/rules/dr-005/index.md",
  "source": "docs/design-rules/DR-005-consistent-meanings.md",
  "sourceSHA256": "20bf10fe99093ec4f9296872ce8f0b5643e4ec611297d5c82a6573bcf69acbe2"
}
---

# DR-005 — Rule of Consistency

**Principle:** Visual meanings stay consistent.

**Requirement:** Within a comparison workspace, the same entity or status must
retain its color, symbol, and line-style meaning across charts, filters, sorting,
and viewport changes. Different meanings must not silently reuse an established
encoding. Essential distinctions must remain understandable without color alone.

**Why:** Relearning a visual vocabulary consumes attention and invites incorrect
comparisons.

**Exception:** Theme or accessibility changes may alter the palette while
preserving the mapping and an identifiable label or other distinguishing mark.
An explicitly different encoding, such as coloring carriers by risk instead of
identity, must be explained where that encoding is used.

**Discovery application:** When a subject mark identifies an entity in a list,
carry that meaning into its detail view. Require the mark in each relevant
component and compare actual visual evidence; matching identity labels alone
cannot establish matching artwork. Scope intentional theme or encoding changes.