Consistency between Wikitext & Visual Editor

Concept
Create a more seamless transition between wikitext and visual editing modes. A user has to make an upfront decision about which mode to edit Wikipedia in and there is a drastic shift in layout and controls once you switch between wikitext and visual editing modes.

Control Panel & Layout
The two editing modes currently have very control panels that are inconsistent and split up across the page. The first idea is to create a more cohesive control panel where certain areas of the panel are fixed and others are fluid based on editing mode and a users last action. See the control panel mental model for a quickview.

A more detailed spec explaining this is linked here also.

Default Edit Mode based on edit count and history
New Users - If a user has 0 edits, we default to visual editor.

Successfully using Wikitext - If a user previously switched to Wikitext editing and successfully saved their edits then default to Wikitext editing.

New but abandoned editing - If a user has less than 10 edits and abandoned wikitext editing, then default to visual editor

Anonymous Users - Anonymous editors default to wikitext editing.

Primary Operating Principles

 * One edit action - No upfront decision making between two edit actions
 * Point new users to visual editing but allow quick switching
 * No extra steps for key actions
 * Help orient me, don’t shuffle things
 * Frequent and Important actions will be easy to find
 * Show controls that listen to my actions

Secondary Principles

 * Support Users who work with very specific subject matter
 * Create spaces for the growth team to tie in their experiments

Some of the key areas covered in the spec

 * Positioning the switch state in the bar
 * First time UX
 * Rules for defaults and remembering modes
 * Detail the audit for any nested actions
 * Article Issues UX and legal concerns
 * Title positioning
 * Actions grouping for Wikitext Editor V1
 * Actions grouping for Visual Editor V1
 * First time Next and Save UX
 * Cancel and Preview positioning
 * Help
 * Edit Summary Details

Editing Tools
Mode Switching

Page Notices & Article Issues

Help and Growth

Formatting Controls (Headings, Bold, Italics, Hyperlinks, Paragraphs)

Inserting References

Inserting Special Characters

Categories and Languages

Terms of Service

Workflow Controls (Preview, Edit Summary, Watch)

Cancel/ Save