diff --git a/docs/contribute/cumulative-docs/_snippets/applies-switch-and-tabs.md b/docs/contribute/cumulative-docs/_snippets/applies-switch-and-tabs.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6573169a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/contribute/cumulative-docs/_snippets/applies-switch-and-tabs.md
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+:::{tip} - Use applies-switch instead of traditional tabs
+
+When you'd like to build a tabbed experience for content that varies specifically between two or more versions, or between two or more deployment types, prefer using [applies-switch](/syntax/applies-switch.md) over regular [tabs](/syntax/tabs.md).
+
+**Applies-switch** natively support using `applies_to` metadata keys as tab titles and offer a more consistent experience with recognizable badges.
+:::
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docs/contribute/cumulative-docs/badge-placement.md b/docs/contribute/cumulative-docs/badge-placement.md
index f9d127e3a..c333572fd 100644
--- a/docs/contribute/cumulative-docs/badge-placement.md
+++ b/docs/contribute/cumulative-docs/badge-placement.md
@@ -177,26 +177,17 @@ If needed, break the contents of the cell into multiple lines using `
` to is
### Tabs
-In the future ([elastic/docs-builder#1436](https://github.com/elastic/docs-builder/issues/1436)), tabs will be able to accept `applies_to` information. Until then, if an `applies_to` badge is relevant to the entire tab item, add the badge to the beginning of the content.
-
-% TO DO: Add example
-%
+When you need to show versions as tab titles, consider using [applies-switch](/syntax/applies-switch.md) instead. The applies-switch component has built-in support for using applies-to metadata as tab titles and render these as badges.
### Admonitions
-In the future ([elastic/docs-builder#1436](https://github.com/elastic/docs-builder/issues/1436)), admonitions will be able to accept `applies_to` information. Until then, if an `applies_to` badge is relevant to the entire admonition, add the badge to the beginning of the content.
-
-::::{image} ./images/admonition-correct.png
-:screenshot:
-:alt:
-::::
+:::{include} /syntax/_snippets/applies-to-admonitions.md
+:::
### Dropdowns
-In the future ([elastic/docs-builder#1436](https://github.com/elastic/docs-builder/issues/1436)), dropdowns will be able to accept `applies_to` information. Until then, if an `applies_to` badge is relevant to the entire dropdown, add the badge to the beginning of the content.
-
-% TO DO: Add example
-%
+:::{include} /syntax/_snippets/applies-to-dropdowns.md
+:::
### Code blocks
diff --git a/docs/contribute/cumulative-docs/example-scenarios.md b/docs/contribute/cumulative-docs/example-scenarios.md
index 31ef9442a..ddaae4c4f 100644
--- a/docs/contribute/cumulative-docs/example-scenarios.md
+++ b/docs/contribute/cumulative-docs/example-scenarios.md
@@ -400,6 +400,9 @@ Using a code callout is the lightest-touch solution, but might not be sufficient
### Solution B: Use tabs [code-block-tabs]
+:::{include} _snippets/applies-switch-and-tabs.md
+:::
+
**When to use tabs**: If using a [code callout](#code-block-callout) isn't appropriate.
**Best practices**:
@@ -443,6 +446,9 @@ but might not be sufficient in all cases.
### Solution B: Use tabs [workflow-tabs]
+:::{include} _snippets/applies-switch-and-tabs.md
+:::
+
Tabs are minimally disruptive in many situations.
**When to use tabs**:
@@ -497,6 +503,9 @@ Sometimes the UI differs between versions, deployment types or other conditions.
### Solution A: Use tabs [screenshot-tabs]
+:::{include} _snippets/applies-switch-and-tabs.md
+:::
+
**When to use tabs**:
* When the screenshot shows significantly different interfaces or workflows for each product, deployment type, or version.
* When the screenshot represents a specific, interactive action, like clicking a button or navigating a UI that changes meaningfully between contexts.
@@ -533,6 +542,9 @@ For example, versioning the screenshot on the [Dashboards](https://www.elastic.c
### Solution A: Use tabs [multiple-block-tabs]
+:::{include} _snippets/applies-switch-and-tabs.md
+:::
+
**When to use tabs**:
* When the content is structurally similar but differs in detail — for example, slightly different instructions, outputs, or paths.
* When you want to avoid repeating most of the surrounding content and isolate just the difference.
diff --git a/docs/syntax/_snippets/applies-to-admonitions.md b/docs/syntax/_snippets/applies-to-admonitions.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d76c1c4e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/syntax/_snippets/applies-to-admonitions.md
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+Admonitions support the `applies_to` property to indicate which products or versions the information applies to.
+
+:::::{tab-set}
+
+::::{tab-item} Output
+
+:::{note}
+:applies_to: stack: ga 9.1.0
+
+This note applies to the Elastic Stack GA version 9.1.0.
+:::
+
+:::{warning}
+:applies_to: serverless: ga
+
+This warning applies to serverless GA.
+:::
+
+:::{tip}
+:applies_to: { ess:, ece: }
+
+This tip applies to ECH and ECE.
+:::
+
+:::{important}
+:applies_to: {"stack": "ga 9.2, preview 9.1", "serverless": "ga"}
+
+This important note applies to Elastic Stack GA version 9.2 and Elastic Stack Preview version 9.1. It also applies to serverless GA.
+:::
+
+::::
+
+::::{tab-item} Markdown
+
+```markdown
+:::{note}
+:applies_to: stack: ga 9.1.0
+
+This note applies to the Elastic Stack GA version 9.1.0.
+:::
+
+:::{warning}
+:applies_to: serverless: ga
+
+This warning applies to serverless GA.
+:::
+
+:::{tip}
+:applies_to: { ess:, ece: }
+
+This tip applies to ECH and ECE.
+:::
+
+:::{important}
+:applies_to: {"stack": "ga 9.2, preview 9.1", "serverless": "ga"}
+
+This important note applies to Elastic Stack GA version 9.2 and Elastic Stack Preview version 9.1. It also applies to serverless GA.
+:::
+```
+
+::::
+
+:::::
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docs/syntax/_snippets/applies-to-dropdowns.md b/docs/syntax/_snippets/applies-to-dropdowns.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..403389fc9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/syntax/_snippets/applies-to-dropdowns.md
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+You can add an applies_to badge to the dropdown title by specifying the `:applies_to:` option. This displays a badge indicating which deployment types, versions, or other applicability criteria the dropdown content applies to.
+
+**Source**
+
+```markdown
+:::{dropdown} Dropdown Title
+:applies_to: stack: ga 9.0
+Dropdown content for Stack GA 9.0
+:::
+```
+
+**Rendering**
+
+:::{dropdown} Dropdown Title
+:applies_to: stack: ga 9.0
+Dropdown content for Stack GA 9.0
+:::
+
+You can also specify multiple definitions in the same `:applies_to:` parameter. For example, `:applies_to: { ece:, ess: }` renders both ECE and ECH badges.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docs/syntax/admonitions.md b/docs/syntax/admonitions.md
index c4a7f466d..9f0096a5a 100644
--- a/docs/syntax/admonitions.md
+++ b/docs/syntax/admonitions.md
@@ -152,66 +152,5 @@ It can *span* multiple lines and supports inline formatting.
## Applies to information
-Admonitions support the `applies_to` property to indicate which products or versions the information applies to.
-
-:::::{tab-set}
-
-::::{tab-item} Output
-
-:::{note}
-:applies_to: stack: ga 9.1.0
-
-This note applies to the Elastic Stack GA version 9.1.0.
-:::
-
-:::{warning}
-:applies_to: serverless: ga
-
-This warning applies to serverless GA.
-:::
-
-:::{tip}
-:applies_to: { ess:, ece: }
-
-This tip applies to ECH and ECE.
-:::
-
-:::{important}
-:applies_to: {"stack": "ga 9.2, preview 9.1", "serverless": "ga"}
-
-This important note applies to Elastic Stack GA version 9.2 and Elastic Stack Preview version 9.1. It also applies to serverless GA.
-:::
-
-::::
-
-::::{tab-item} Markdown
-
-```markdown
-:::{note}
-:applies_to: stack: ga 9.1.0
-
-This note applies to the Elastic Stack GA version 9.1.0.
-:::
-
-:::{warning}
-:applies_to: serverless: ga
-
-This warning applies to serverless GA.
-:::
-
-:::{tip}
-:applies_to: { ess:, ece: }
-
-This tip applies to ECH and ECE.
-:::
-
-:::{important}
-:applies_to: {"stack": "ga 9.2, preview 9.1", "serverless": "ga"}
-
-This important note applies to Elastic Stack GA version 9.2 and Elastic Stack Preview version 9.1. It also applies to serverless GA.
-:::
-```
-
-::::
-
-:::::
+:::{include} _snippets/applies-to-admonitions.md
+:::
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docs/syntax/applies.md b/docs/syntax/applies.md
index 365c22f47..d36dddc2f 100644
--- a/docs/syntax/applies.md
+++ b/docs/syntax/applies.md
@@ -94,6 +94,16 @@ Property {preview}``
For more examples, refer to [Inline annotation examples](#inline-annotation-examples).
+### On specific components
+
+Several components have built-in support for `applies_to` and allow to surface version information in an optimized way:
+
+- [applies-switch](applies-switch.md), a component similar to tabs but with specific support to show version badges as tab titles
+- [admonitions](admonitions.md)
+- [dropdowns](dropdowns.md)
+
+Refer to these component pages to learn about the required `applies_to` syntax.
+
## Key-value reference
Use the following key-value reference to find the appropriate key and value for your applicability statements.
diff --git a/docs/syntax/dropdowns.md b/docs/syntax/dropdowns.md
index a8b4f9a60..f4f4fd74e 100644
--- a/docs/syntax/dropdowns.md
+++ b/docs/syntax/dropdowns.md
@@ -53,30 +53,9 @@ Dropdown content
## With applies_to badge
-You can add an applies_to badge to the dropdown title by specifying the `:applies_to:` option. This displays a badge indicating which deployment types, versions, or other applicability criteria the dropdown content applies to.
-
-:::::{tab-set}
-
-::::{tab-item} Output
-
-:::{dropdown} Dropdown Title
-:applies_to: stack: ga 9.0
-Dropdown content for Stack GA 9.0
+:::{include} _snippets/applies-to-dropdowns.md
:::
-::::
-
-::::{tab-item} Markdown
-```markdown
-:::{dropdown} Dropdown Title
-:applies_to: stack: ga 9.0
-Dropdown content for Stack GA 9.0
-:::
-```
-::::
-
-:::::
-
## Multiple applies_to definitions
You can specify multiple `applies_to` definitions using YAML object notation with curly braces `{}`. This is useful when content applies to multiple deployment types or versions simultaneously.