:root{
    --ink:#170a12;
    --ink-2:#1f0f1a;
    --brand:#800080;
    --brand-dark:#57025a;
    --brand-light:#c874c8;
    --gold:#c79a3c;
    --paper:#f6f1ec;
    --paper-2:#ece1d8;
    --charcoal:#241420;
    --muted:#8d7c88;
    --muted-2:#6b5c64;
    --line-dark: rgba(246,241,236,0.14);
    --line-light: rgba(36,20,32,0.14);
    --font-display:'Fraunces', serif;
    --font-body:'IBM Plex Sans', sans-serif;
    --font-mono:'IBM Plex Mono', monospace;
  }
  *{box-sizing:border-box; margin:0; padding:0;}
  html{scroll-behavior:smooth;}
  body{
    font-family:var(--font-body);
    background:var(--paper);
    color:var(--charcoal);
    line-height:1.5;
    -webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;
  }
  img,svg{display:block; max-width:100%;}
  a{color:inherit; text-decoration:none;}
  ul{list-style:none;}
  .wrap{max-width:1180px; margin:0 auto; padding:0 32px;}
  @media (max-width:640px){ .wrap{padding:0 20px;} }

  .eyebrow{
    font-family:var(--font-mono);
    font-size:12px;
    letter-spacing:0.14em;
    text-transform:uppercase;
    display:flex; align-items:center; gap:10px;
  }
  .eyebrow::before{content:""; width:22px; height:1px; background:currentColor; display:inline-block; opacity:0.6;}

  h1,h2,h3{font-family:var(--font-display); font-weight:600; letter-spacing:-0.01em;}

  /* reveal */
  .reveal{opacity:0; transform:translateY(18px); transition:opacity .7s ease, transform .7s ease;}
  .reveal.in-view{opacity:1; transform:translateY(0);}

  /* ===== NAV ===== */
  header.site{
    position:fixed; top:0; left:0; right:0; z-index:50;
    background:rgba(23,10,18,0.86);
    backdrop-filter:blur(10px);
    border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-dark);
  }
  .nav{
    display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:space-between;
    padding:18px 32px; max-width:1180px; margin:0 auto;
  }
  .logo{
    font-family:var(--font-display); font-weight:600; font-size:22px; color:var(--paper);
    display:flex; align-items:baseline; gap:2px;
  }
  .logo span{color:var(--brand-light);}
  .nav-links{display:flex; gap:34px; align-items:center;}
  .nav-links a{
    color:var(--paper); opacity:0.78; font-size:14.5px; font-weight:500;
    transition:opacity .2s ease;
  }
  .nav-links a:hover{opacity:1;}
  .nav-cta{
    font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:13px;
    color:var(--ink); background:var(--gold);
    padding:10px 18px; border-radius:3px;
    border:1px solid var(--gold);
    transition:transform .2s ease, background .2s ease;
  }
  .nav-cta:hover{transform:translateY(-1px); background:#d8ad4f;}
  .nav-toggle{display:none; flex-direction:column; gap:5px; background:none; border:none; cursor:pointer; padding:6px;}
  .nav-toggle span{width:22px; height:2px; background:var(--paper);}
  .mobile-panel{
    display:none; flex-direction:column; gap:0; background:var(--ink-2);
    border-top:1px solid var(--line-dark);
  }
  .mobile-panel a{
    color:var(--paper); padding:16px 32px; border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-dark);
    font-size:15px;
  }
  @media (max-width:900px){
    .nav-links{display:none;}
    .nav-toggle{display:flex;}
  }
  body.nav-open .mobile-panel{display:flex;}

  /* ===== HERO ===== */
  .hero{
    background:radial-gradient(ellipse at 20% -10%, #2b0f26 0%, var(--ink) 55%);
    color:var(--paper);
    padding:150px 0 96px;
    position:relative;
    overflow:hidden;
    border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-dark);
  }
  .hero .wrap{display:grid; grid-template-columns:1.05fr 0.95fr; gap:64px; align-items:center;}
  @media (max-width:980px){ .hero .wrap{grid-template-columns:1fr;} }
  .hero-eyebrow{color:var(--brand-light); margin-bottom:22px;}
  .hero h1{
    font-size:clamp(34px, 4.6vw, 56px);
    line-height:1.08;
    max-width:14ch;
    margin-bottom:26px;
  }
  .hero h1 em{font-style:italic; color:var(--brand-light);}
  .hero p.sub{
    font-size:17px; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.72); max-width:46ch; margin-bottom:34px;
  }
  .btn-row{display:flex; gap:16px; flex-wrap:wrap;}
  .btn{
    display:inline-flex; align-items:center; gap:8px;
    padding:14px 24px; border-radius:3px; font-weight:600; font-size:14.5px;
    transition:transform .2s ease, box-shadow .2s ease, background .2s ease;
    cursor:pointer; border:1px solid transparent;
  }
  .btn-primary{background:var(--brand); color:#fff; border-color:var(--brand);}
  .btn-primary:hover{transform:translateY(-2px); box-shadow:0 10px 24px rgba(128,0,128,0.35);}
  .btn-ghost{border-color:rgba(246,241,236,0.35); color:var(--paper);}
  .btn-ghost:hover{border-color:var(--paper); transform:translateY(-2px);}

  /* mandate board (signature element) */
  .board{
    background:rgba(255,255,255,0.03);
    border:1px solid var(--line-dark);
    border-radius:8px;
    padding:20px;
    backdrop-filter:blur(4px);
  }
  .board-head{
    display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center;
    margin-bottom:16px; padding-bottom:14px; border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-dark);
  }
  .board-head .title{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:12px; letter-spacing:0.1em; text-transform:uppercase; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.6);}
  .board-head .live{
    display:flex; align-items:center; gap:7px; font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11px; color:var(--gold);
  }
  .dot{width:7px; height:7px; border-radius:50%; background:var(--gold); animation:pulse 1.8s infinite;}
  @keyframes pulse{0%,100%{opacity:1;} 50%{opacity:0.25;}}
  .row{
    display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr auto; gap:6px 14px;
    padding:13px 4px; border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-dark);
  }
  .row:last-child{border-bottom:none;}
  .row .role{font-weight:600; font-size:14.5px;}
  .row .meta{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11.5px; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.5); grid-column:1/2;}
  .stage{
    font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:10.5px; letter-spacing:0.04em; text-transform:uppercase;
    padding:4px 10px; border-radius:20px; align-self:start; white-space:nowrap;
  }
  .stage.mapping{background:rgba(199,154,60,0.15); color:var(--gold);}
  .stage.shortlist{background:rgba(200,116,200,0.16); color:var(--brand-light);}
  .stage.assess{background:rgba(120,170,255,0.16); color:#9db9ff;}
  .stage.close{background:rgba(120,200,150,0.16); color:#8fd6a6;}
  .board-foot{margin-top:14px; padding-top:14px; border-top:1px solid var(--line-dark); font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11px; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.45);}

  /* ===== TRUST STRIP ===== */
  .strip{background:var(--ink-2); color:var(--paper); border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-dark);}
  .strip .wrap{
    display:flex; justify-content:space-between; padding:26px 32px; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:20px;
  }
  .strip .item{text-align:left;}
  .strip .item b{
    font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:22px; color:var(--brand-light); display:block; margin-bottom:4px;
  }
  .strip .item span{font-size:12.5px; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.55);}

  /* ===== SECTION generic ===== */
  section{padding:104px 0;}
  @media (max-width:768px){ section{padding:72px 0;} }
  .section-head{max-width:640px; margin-bottom:56px;}
  .section-head .eyebrow{color:var(--brand); margin-bottom:16px;}
  .section-head.on-dark .eyebrow{color:var(--brand-light);}
  .section-head h2{font-size:clamp(26px,3.2vw,38px); margin-bottom:14px;}
  .section-head p{color:var(--muted-2); font-size:16px; max-width:52ch;}
  .section-head.on-dark p{color:rgba(246,241,236,0.65);}
  .section-head.on-dark h2{color:var(--paper);}

  /* ===== PRACTICES ===== */
  .practices-grid{display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr); gap:1px; background:var(--line-light); border:1px solid var(--line-light); border-radius:8px; overflow:hidden;}
  @media (max-width:980px){ .practices-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);} }
  @media (max-width:600px){ .practices-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;} }
  .practice{background:var(--paper); padding:32px 26px; transition:background .25s ease;}
  .practice:hover{background:#fffdfb;}
  .practice .num{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:12px; color:var(--brand); margin-bottom:18px; display:block;}
  .practice h3{font-size:19px; margin-bottom:10px;}
  .practice p{font-size:14.5px; color:var(--muted-2);}

  /* ===== APPROACH (dark) ===== */
  .approach{background:var(--ink); color:var(--paper);}
  .steps{display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(5,1fr); gap:0; position:relative;}
  @media (max-width:980px){ .steps{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;} }
  @media (max-width:600px){ .steps{grid-template-columns:1fr;} }
  .step{padding:26px 22px 26px 0; border-left:1px solid var(--line-dark); padding-left:22px; position:relative;}
  .step .n{font-family:var(--font-mono); color:var(--gold); font-size:13px; margin-bottom:14px; display:block;}
  .step h3{font-size:17px; margin-bottom:10px;}
  .step p{font-size:13.5px; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.6); margin-bottom:12px;}
  .step .time{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11px; color:var(--brand-light); text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.06em;}

  /* ===== TRACK RECORD ===== */
  .record{
    background:linear-gradient(160deg, var(--brand-dark) 0%, var(--brand) 55%, #6d1470 100%);
    color:#fff;
  }
  .record .section-head h2, .record .section-head p{color:#fff;}
  .record .section-head p{color:rgba(255,255,255,0.8);}
  .record .section-head .eyebrow{color:#f0d8f0;}
  .record-grid{display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr); gap:36px;}
  @media (max-width:900px){ .record-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);} }
  .rstat{border-top:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.28); padding-top:18px;}
  .rstat b{font-family:var(--font-display); font-size:42px; display:block; margin-bottom:8px;}
  .rstat span{font-size:13.5px; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.75);}

  /* ===== INDUSTRIES ===== */
  .chips{display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:12px;}
  .chip{
    font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:13px; padding:11px 18px; border:1px solid var(--line-light);
    border-radius:30px; color:var(--charcoal); background:#fff;
    transition:border-color .2s ease, transform .2s ease;
  }
  .chip:hover{border-color:var(--brand); transform:translateY(-2px);}

  /* ===== TESTIMONIALS ===== */
  .quotes{display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:28px;}
  @media (max-width:820px){ .quotes{grid-template-columns:1fr;} }
  .quote{background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--line-light); border-radius:8px; padding:32px;}
  .quote p.qtext{font-family:var(--font-display); font-style:italic; font-size:19px; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:22px; color:var(--charcoal);}
  .quote .attrib{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:12px; color:var(--muted); text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:0.03em;}

  /* ===== CONTACT ===== */
  .contact{background:var(--ink); color:var(--paper);}
  .contact-grid{display:grid; grid-template-columns:0.9fr 1.1fr; gap:64px;}
  @media (max-width:900px){ .contact-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;} }
  .contact h2{font-size:clamp(26px,3.4vw,40px); margin-bottom:18px; max-width:12ch;}
  .contact p{color:rgba(246,241,236,0.65); font-size:15.5px; margin-bottom:26px; max-width:40ch;}
  .contact-detail{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:13.5px; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.6); margin-bottom:8px;}
  .contact-detail b{color:var(--paper);}
  form{display:grid; gap:16px;}
  .field-row{display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:16px;}
  @media (max-width:560px){ .field-row{grid-template-columns:1fr;} }
  label{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11.5px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:0.06em; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.55); display:block; margin-bottom:7px;}
  input, textarea, select{
    width:100%; background:rgba(255,255,255,0.04); border:1px solid var(--line-dark);
    border-radius:4px; padding:12px 14px; color:var(--paper); font-family:var(--font-body); font-size:14.5px;
  }
  input:focus, textarea:focus, select:focus{outline:2px solid var(--brand-light); outline-offset:1px; border-color:var(--brand-light);}
  textarea{min-height:110px; resize:vertical;}
  .submit-row{display:flex; align-items:center; gap:16px; margin-top:6px;}
  .form-note{font-size:12.5px; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.4);}
  #formStatus{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:12.5px; color:#8fd6a6;}

  /* ===== FOOTER ===== */
  footer{background:#100811; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.55); padding:56px 0 28px; border-top:1px solid var(--line-dark);}
  .foot-grid{display:grid; grid-template-columns:1.4fr 1fr 1fr 1fr; gap:40px; margin-bottom:44px;}
  @media (max-width:820px){ .foot-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;} }
  .foot-logo{font-family:var(--font-display); font-size:22px; color:var(--paper); margin-bottom:12px;}
  .foot-logo span{color:var(--brand-light);}
  .foot-col h4{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11.5px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:0.08em; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.4); margin-bottom:16px;}
  .foot-col li{margin-bottom:10px; font-size:14px;}
  .foot-col a:hover{color:var(--paper);}
  .foot-bottom{display:flex; justify-content:space-between; padding-top:24px; border-top:1px solid var(--line-dark); font-size:12.5px; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:12px;}

/* ===================================================== */
/* Client Stories hub + Case Study page components        */
/* ===================================================== */

.breadcrumb{
  display:flex; align-items:center; gap:8px;
  font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:12.5px; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.55);
  margin-bottom:22px;
}
.breadcrumb a{color:var(--brand-light);}
.breadcrumb a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}

/* ---- Sub hero (used on client-stories.html + case pages) ---- */
.sub-hero{
  background:radial-gradient(ellipse at 15% -20%, #2b0f26 0%, var(--ink) 55%);
  color:var(--paper);
  padding:150px 0 72px;
  border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-dark);
}
.sub-hero .eyebrow{color:var(--brand-light); margin-bottom:18px;}
.sub-hero h1{font-size:clamp(30px,4vw,46px); line-height:1.12; max-width:20ch; margin-bottom:20px;}
.sub-hero p.lede{font-size:16.5px; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.72); max-width:60ch;}

/* ---- Client stories index grid ---- */
.stories-grid{display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr); gap:24px;}
@media (max-width:820px){ .stories-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;} }
.story-card{
  background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--line-light); border-radius:8px;
  padding:30px; display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:16px;
  transition:border-color .2s ease, transform .2s ease, box-shadow .2s ease;
}
.story-card:hover{border-color:var(--brand); transform:translateY(-3px); box-shadow:0 16px 30px rgba(36,20,32,0.08);}
.story-top{display:flex; align-items:flex-start; justify-content:space-between; gap:16px;}
.monogram{
  width:46px; height:46px; border-radius:8px; flex:none;
  display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center;
  font-family:var(--font-mono); font-weight:600; font-size:13px; color:#fff;
  background:linear-gradient(150deg, var(--brand) 0%, var(--brand-dark) 100%);
}
.story-highlight{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.05em; color:var(--gold); background:rgba(199,154,60,0.12); padding:6px 10px; border-radius:20px; white-space:nowrap;}
.story-card h3{font-size:19.5px; line-height:1.3;}
.story-card .story-tags{display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:8px;}
.story-card .story-tags span{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11px; color:var(--muted); border:1px solid var(--line-light); padding:4px 9px; border-radius:20px;}
.story-card p.excerpt{font-size:14.5px; color:var(--muted-2);}
.story-link{
  font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:13px; color:var(--brand); font-weight:600;
  display:inline-flex; align-items:center; gap:6px; margin-top:auto;
}
.story-card:hover .story-link{gap:10px;}
.story-link .arrow{transition:transform .2s ease;}
.story-card:hover .story-link .arrow{transform:translateX(3px);}

/* ---- Case study page: tags row under hero title ---- */
.case-tags{display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:10px; margin-bottom:28px;}
.case-tags span{
  font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11.5px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.04em;
  color:var(--brand-light); border:1px solid rgba(200,116,200,0.35); padding:6px 12px; border-radius:20px;
}

/* ---- Vitals panel (mirrors mandate-board aesthetic) ---- */
.vitals{
  background:rgba(255,255,255,0.03); border:1px solid var(--line-dark); border-radius:8px;
  padding:22px 24px; margin-top:36px;
}
.vitals .title{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:12px; letter-spacing:0.1em; text-transform:uppercase; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.55); margin-bottom:16px;}
.vitals-grid{display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(5,1fr); gap:18px;}
@media (max-width:900px){ .vitals-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);} }
@media (max-width:560px){ .vitals-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);} }
.vital b{font-family:var(--font-display); font-size:21px; display:block; margin-bottom:4px; color:var(--paper);}
.vital span{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11px; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.5); text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.03em;}

/* ---- Case study body ---- */
.case-body{padding:88px 0;}
.case-layout{display:grid; grid-template-columns:2.1fr 1fr; gap:64px; align-items:start;}
@media (max-width:960px){ .case-layout{grid-template-columns:1fr;} }
.case-main h2{font-size:24px; margin:44px 0 16px;}
.case-main h2:first-child{margin-top:0;}
.case-main p{font-size:15.5px; color:var(--muted-2); margin-bottom:14px; max-width:70ch;}
.case-main ul.plain{margin:0 0 14px; padding-left:0;}
.case-main ul.plain li{
  font-size:15px; color:var(--charcoal); padding-left:22px; position:relative; margin-bottom:9px; max-width:68ch;
}
.case-main ul.plain li::before{content:"→"; position:absolute; left:0; color:var(--brand); font-weight:600;}

/* candidate table */
.ctable{width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin:18px 0 8px; font-size:14px;}
.ctable th{
  font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:10.5px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.04em;
  color:var(--muted); text-align:left; padding:10px 12px; border-bottom:2px solid var(--charcoal);
}
.ctable td{padding:13px 12px; border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-light); vertical-align:top; color:var(--charcoal);}
.ctable tr.selected td{background:rgba(128,0,128,0.05);}
.ctable tr.selected td:first-child{border-left:3px solid var(--brand); padding-left:9px;}
.ctable .badge-selected{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:9.5px; text-transform:uppercase; color:var(--brand); display:block; margin-top:4px; letter-spacing:.04em;}
.table-scroll{overflow-x:auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch;}

/* vertical timeline for hiring process on case pages */
.timeline{position:relative; padding-left:30px; margin:18px 0 8px;}
.timeline::before{content:""; position:absolute; left:9px; top:6px; bottom:6px; width:1px; background:var(--line-light);}
.titem{position:relative; padding-bottom:26px;}
.titem:last-child{padding-bottom:0;}
.titem::before{
  content:""; position:absolute; left:-30px; top:3px; width:10px; height:10px; border-radius:50%;
  background:var(--paper); border:2px solid var(--brand);
}
.titem h4{font-size:15.5px; margin-bottom:6px; font-family:var(--font-body); font-weight:600;}
.titem p{font-size:14px; color:var(--muted-2); margin-bottom:0;}

/* sidebar */
.case-side{position:sticky; top:110px; display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:20px;}
.side-card{background:var(--paper-2); border-radius:8px; padding:24px; border:1px solid var(--line-light);}
.side-card h4{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.05em; color:var(--muted); margin-bottom:14px;}
.side-stat{display:flex; justify-content:space-between; padding:9px 0; border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-light); font-size:13.5px;}
.side-stat:last-child{border-bottom:none;}
.side-stat b{font-family:var(--font-mono); color:var(--brand);}
.bar-compare{margin-top:6px;}
.bar-row{margin-bottom:12px;}
.bar-row .blabel{display:flex; justify-content:space-between; font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11px; color:var(--muted-2); margin-bottom:5px;}
.bar-track{background:var(--line-light); height:8px; border-radius:4px; overflow:hidden;}
.bar-fill{height:100%; background:var(--brand); border-radius:4px;}

/* takeaways box */
.takeaways{background:var(--ink); color:var(--paper); border-radius:8px; padding:28px 26px; margin-top:20px;}
.takeaways h4{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.05em; color:var(--brand-light); margin-bottom:16px;}
.takeaways ul{display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:11px;}
.takeaways li{font-size:13.5px; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.82); padding-left:20px; position:relative;}
.takeaways li::before{content:"✔"; position:absolute; left:0; color:var(--gold); font-size:11px; top:2px;}

/* case CTA footer strip */
.case-cta{background:var(--brand); color:#fff; border-radius:8px; padding:36px 32px; margin-top:56px; display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:space-between; gap:20px; flex-wrap:wrap;}
.case-cta h3{font-size:21px; margin-bottom:6px;}
.case-cta p{color:rgba(255,255,255,0.85); font-size:14px;}
.case-cta .btn-ghost{border-color:rgba(255,255,255,0.5); color:#fff;}
.case-cta .btn-ghost:hover{border-color:#fff;}

.next-case{
  display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center; gap:16px; flex-wrap:wrap;
  padding-top:28px; margin-top:56px; border-top:1px solid var(--line-light);
  font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:13px;
}
.next-case a{color:var(--brand); font-weight:600;}

/* ===================================================== */
/* Blog components                                        */
/* ===================================================== */

.blog-hero{
  background:radial-gradient(ellipse at 15% -20%, #2b0f26 0%, var(--ink) 55%);
  color:var(--paper);
  padding:150px 0 64px;
  border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-dark);
}
.blog-hero h1{font-size:clamp(30px,4vw,46px); line-height:1.12; max-width:22ch; margin-bottom:18px;}
.blog-hero p.lede{font-size:16.5px; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.72); max-width:60ch;}

.blog-filter-note{
  font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:12px; color:var(--muted); margin-bottom:28px;
}

.blog-grid{display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr); gap:22px;}
@media (max-width:980px){ .blog-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);} }
@media (max-width:640px){ .blog-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;} }

.blog-card{
  background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--line-light); border-radius:8px;
  padding:26px; display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:14px;
  transition:border-color .2s ease, transform .2s ease, box-shadow .2s ease;
}
.blog-card:hover{border-color:var(--brand); transform:translateY(-3px); box-shadow:0 16px 30px rgba(36,20,32,0.08);}
.blog-card .cat{
  font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:10.5px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.05em;
  color:var(--brand); display:inline-block;
}
.blog-card h3{font-size:17.5px; line-height:1.32;}
.blog-card p.excerpt{font-size:13.5px; color:var(--muted-2); flex:1;}
.blog-card .meta-row{
  display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center;
  font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11px; color:var(--muted); border-top:1px solid var(--line-light); padding-top:12px;
}

/* ---- Blog post article page ---- */
.post-hero{
  background:radial-gradient(ellipse at 15% -20%, #2b0f26 0%, var(--ink) 55%);
  color:var(--paper);
  padding:150px 0 60px;
  border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-dark);
}
.post-hero .cat{color:var(--brand-light); margin-bottom:18px;}
.post-hero h1{font-size:clamp(28px,3.8vw,44px); line-height:1.15; max-width:22ch; margin-bottom:20px;}
.post-hero .byline{
  display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:14px; align-items:center;
  font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:12.5px; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.6);
}
.post-hero .byline span:not(:last-child)::after{content:"·"; margin-left:14px; color:rgba(246,241,236,0.35);}

.post-body{padding:80px 0;}
.post-layout{display:grid; grid-template-columns:2.2fr 1fr; gap:60px; align-items:start;}
@media (max-width:960px){ .post-layout{grid-template-columns:1fr;} }

.post-content h2{font-size:24px; margin:42px 0 16px;}
.post-content h2:first-child{margin-top:0;}
.post-content h3{font-size:18px; margin:28px 0 12px;}
.post-content p{font-size:15.5px; color:var(--muted-2); margin-bottom:14px; max-width:70ch;}
.post-content ul.plain, .post-content ol.plain{margin:0 0 16px; padding-left:0;}
.post-content ul.plain li{
  list-style:none; font-size:15px; color:var(--charcoal); padding-left:22px; position:relative; margin-bottom:9px; max-width:68ch;
}
.post-content ul.plain li::before{content:"→"; position:absolute; left:0; color:var(--brand); font-weight:600;}
.post-content ol.plain{counter-reset:steplist;}
.post-content ol.plain li{
  list-style:none; counter-increment:steplist; font-size:15px; color:var(--charcoal); padding-left:30px; position:relative; margin-bottom:12px; max-width:68ch;
}
.post-content ol.plain li::before{
  content:counter(steplist); position:absolute; left:0; top:0; color:#fff; background:var(--brand);
  font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11px; font-weight:600; width:20px; height:20px; border-radius:50%;
  display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center;
}
.post-content strong{color:var(--charcoal);}
.post-content blockquote{
  border-left:3px solid var(--brand); padding:4px 0 4px 20px; margin:20px 0; font-style:italic;
  color:var(--charcoal); font-family:var(--font-display); font-size:17px;
}

.stat-callout{
  display:flex; gap:20px; flex-wrap:wrap; background:var(--paper-2); border-radius:8px; padding:22px 24px; margin:22px 0;
}
.stat-callout .stat{flex:1; min-width:120px;}
.stat-callout .stat b{font-family:var(--font-display); font-size:26px; color:var(--brand); display:block;}
.stat-callout .stat span{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11.5px; color:var(--muted); text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.03em;}

.example-box{
  background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--line-light); border-left:3px solid var(--brand);
  border-radius:6px; padding:20px 22px; margin:18px 0; font-size:14.5px; color:var(--charcoal);
}
.example-box .label{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:10.5px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.05em; color:var(--brand); margin-bottom:10px; display:block;}
.example-box p{margin-bottom:8px; font-size:14.5px; color:var(--charcoal);}
.example-box p:last-child{margin-bottom:0;}

.template-box{
  background:var(--ink); color:rgba(246,241,236,0.88); border-radius:8px; padding:24px 26px; margin:20px 0;
  font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:13px; line-height:1.7; white-space:pre-wrap;
}
.template-box .label{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:10.5px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.05em; color:var(--gold); margin-bottom:12px; display:block;}

.dos-donts{display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:20px; margin:20px 0;}
@media (max-width:640px){ .dos-donts{grid-template-columns:1fr;} }
.dos-donts .col{border-radius:8px; padding:20px 22px;}
.dos-donts .do{background:rgba(60,150,90,0.07); border:1px solid rgba(60,150,90,0.25);}
.dos-donts .dont{background:rgba(180,60,60,0.06); border:1px solid rgba(180,60,60,0.22);}
.dos-donts h4{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.05em; margin-bottom:12px;}
.dos-donts .do h4{color:#3c8f5a;}
.dos-donts .dont h4{color:#b23c3c;}
.dos-donts ul{display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:8px;}
.dos-donts li{font-size:13.5px; color:var(--charcoal); padding-left:18px; position:relative;}
.dos-donts .do li::before{content:"✓"; position:absolute; left:0; color:#3c8f5a;}
.dos-donts .dont li::before{content:"✕"; position:absolute; left:0; color:#b23c3c;}

/* post sidebar / TOC */
.post-side{position:sticky; top:110px; display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:20px;}
.toc-card{background:var(--paper-2); border-radius:8px; padding:22px 24px; border:1px solid var(--line-light);}
.toc-card h4{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.05em; color:var(--muted); margin-bottom:14px;}
.toc-card ol{counter-reset:toc; display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:9px;}
.toc-card li{list-style:none; counter-increment:toc; font-size:13.5px;}
.toc-card li a{color:var(--charcoal); display:flex; gap:8px;}
.toc-card li a:hover{color:var(--brand);}
.toc-card li a::before{content:counter(toc); font-family:var(--font-mono); color:var(--brand); font-size:11.5px;}

.post-cta{background:var(--brand); color:#fff; border-radius:8px; padding:28px 26px; margin-top:8px;}
.post-cta h4{font-size:17px; margin-bottom:8px;}
.post-cta p{color:rgba(255,255,255,0.85); font-size:13.5px; margin-bottom:16px;}
.post-cta .btn-ghost{border-color:rgba(255,255,255,0.5); color:#fff; width:100%; justify-content:center;}
.post-cta .btn-ghost:hover{border-color:#fff;}

.author-card{background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--line-light); border-radius:8px; padding:20px 22px;}
.author-card h4{font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:11px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.05em; color:var(--muted); margin-bottom:10px;}
.author-card p{font-size:13.5px; color:var(--muted-2);}

.post-footer-nav{
  display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center; gap:16px; flex-wrap:wrap;
  padding-top:28px; margin-top:20px; border-top:1px solid var(--line-light);
  font-family:var(--font-mono); font-size:13px;
}
.post-footer-nav a{color:var(--brand); font-weight:600;}