# Responsive Layout System
## Overview
This document defines the responsive layout system for ThrillWiki's frontend redesign, implementing modern CSS techniques including CSS Grid, Flexbox, and custom properties for a mobile-first, accessible design approach.
## Breakpoint Strategy
### Mobile-First Approach
```css
/* Base styles (mobile) - 320px+ */
.container {
width: 100%;
padding: var(--spacing-layout-sm);
}
/* Small tablets - 640px+ */
@media (min-width: 640px) {
.container {
padding: var(--spacing-layout-md);
}
}
/* Large tablets - 768px+ */
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.container {
max-width: 768px;
margin: 0 auto;
}
}
/* Desktop - 1024px+ */
@media (min-width: 1024px) {
.container {
max-width: 1024px;
padding: var(--spacing-layout-lg);
}
}
/* Large desktop - 1280px+ */
@media (min-width: 1280px) {
.container {
max-width: 1280px;
}
}
/* Extra large - 1536px+ */
@media (min-width: 1536px) {
.container {
max-width: 1536px;
}
}
```
### Breakpoint Variables
```css
:root {
--breakpoint-sm: 640px;
--breakpoint-md: 768px;
--breakpoint-lg: 1024px;
--breakpoint-xl: 1280px;
--breakpoint-2xl: 1536px;
}
```
## Grid Systems
### CSS Grid Layout Patterns
#### Main Application Grid
```css
.app-grid {
display: grid;
min-height: 100vh;
grid-template-areas:
"header"
"nav"
"main"
"footer";
grid-template-rows: auto auto 1fr auto;
}
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.app-grid {
grid-template-areas:
"header header"
"nav main"
"nav main"
"footer footer";
grid-template-columns: 250px 1fr;
grid-template-rows: auto 1fr auto;
}
}
@media (min-width: 1024px) {
.app-grid {
grid-template-columns: 280px 1fr;
}
}
.app-header { grid-area: header; }
.app-nav { grid-area: nav; }
.app-main { grid-area: main; }
.app-footer { grid-area: footer; }
```
#### Content Grid Patterns
```css
/* Two-column content layout */
.content-grid-2 {
display: grid;
gap: var(--spacing-layout-md);
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.content-grid-2 {
grid-template-columns: 2fr 1fr;
}
}
/* Three-column layout */
.content-grid-3 {
display: grid;
gap: var(--spacing-layout-md);
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
@media (min-width: 640px) {
.content-grid-3 {
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
}
}
@media (min-width: 1024px) {
.content-grid-3 {
grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
}
}
/* Auto-fit grid for cards */
.auto-grid {
display: grid;
gap: var(--spacing-layout-md);
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(280px, 1fr));
}
/* Dense grid for smaller items */
.dense-grid {
display: grid;
gap: var(--spacing-layout-sm);
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(200px, 1fr));
grid-auto-flow: dense;
}
```
### Flexbox Patterns
#### Navigation Layouts
```css
/* Horizontal navigation */
.nav-horizontal {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: var(--spacing-component-md);
flex-wrap: wrap;
}
/* Vertical navigation */
.nav-vertical {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: var(--spacing-component-sm);
}
/* Responsive navigation */
.nav-responsive {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: var(--spacing-component-sm);
}
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.nav-responsive {
flex-direction: row;
align-items: center;
gap: var(--spacing-component-md);
}
}
```
#### Content Layouts
```css
/* Flexible content container */
.flex-container {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: var(--spacing-layout-md);
}
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.flex-container {
flex-direction: row;
align-items: flex-start;
}
}
/* Center content */
.flex-center {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
min-height: 50vh;
}
/* Space between items */
.flex-between {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
flex-wrap: wrap;
gap: var(--spacing-component-md);
}
/* Flexible sidebar layout */
.flex-sidebar {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: var(--spacing-layout-md);
}
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.flex-sidebar {
flex-direction: row;
}
.flex-sidebar-main {
flex: 1;
}
.flex-sidebar-aside {
flex: 0 0 300px;
}
}
```
## Container Queries (Future Enhancement)
### Container Query Setup
```css
/* Container query context */
.card-container {
container-type: inline-size;
container-name: card;
}
/* Responsive card based on container size */
@container card (min-width: 300px) {
.card {
display: flex;
flex-direction: row;
}
.card-image {
flex: 0 0 40%;
}
.card-content {
flex: 1;
padding: var(--spacing-component-lg);
}
}
@container card (min-width: 500px) {
.card-content {
padding: var(--spacing-component-xl);
}
.card-title {
font-size: var(--text-xl);
}
}
```
## Responsive Typography
### Fluid Typography Scale
```css
:root {
/* Fluid typography using clamp() */
--text-xs: clamp(0.75rem, 0.7rem + 0.25vw, 0.875rem);
--text-sm: clamp(0.875rem, 0.8rem + 0.375vw, 1rem);
--text-base: clamp(1rem, 0.9rem + 0.5vw, 1.125rem);
--text-lg: clamp(1.125rem, 1rem + 0.625vw, 1.25rem);
--text-xl: clamp(1.25rem, 1.1rem + 0.75vw, 1.5rem);
--text-2xl: clamp(1.5rem, 1.3rem + 1vw, 1.875rem);
--text-3xl: clamp(1.875rem, 1.6rem + 1.375vw, 2.25rem);
--text-4xl: clamp(2.25rem, 1.9rem + 1.75vw, 3rem);
--text-5xl: clamp(3rem, 2.5rem + 2.5vw, 4rem);
}
/* Responsive line heights */
.text-responsive {
line-height: 1.6;
}
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.text-responsive {
line-height: 1.5;
}
}
```
### Reading Width Optimization
```css
.text-content {
max-width: 65ch; /* Optimal reading width */
margin: 0 auto;
}
.text-content-wide {
max-width: 80ch;
margin: 0 auto;
}
```
## Responsive Images
### Responsive Image Patterns
```css
/* Responsive image base */
.img-responsive {
max-width: 100%;
height: auto;
display: block;
}
/* Aspect ratio containers */
.aspect-square {
aspect-ratio: 1 / 1;
overflow: hidden;
}
.aspect-video {
aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;
overflow: hidden;
}
.aspect-photo {
aspect-ratio: 4 / 3;
overflow: hidden;
}
/* Object fit for images within aspect ratio containers */
.aspect-square img,
.aspect-video img,
.aspect-photo img {
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
object-fit: cover;
object-position: center;
}
```
### Picture Element Patterns
```html
```
## Layout Components
### Page Layout Templates
#### Standard Page Layout
```css
.page-layout {
display: grid;
gap: var(--spacing-layout-lg);
grid-template-areas:
"breadcrumb"
"header"
"content"
"sidebar";
grid-template-rows: auto auto 1fr auto;
}
@media (min-width: 1024px) {
.page-layout {
grid-template-areas:
"breadcrumb breadcrumb"
"header sidebar"
"content sidebar";
grid-template-columns: 1fr 300px;
grid-template-rows: auto auto 1fr;
}
}
.page-breadcrumb { grid-area: breadcrumb; }
.page-header { grid-area: header; }
.page-content { grid-area: content; }
.page-sidebar { grid-area: sidebar; }
```
#### Dashboard Layout
```css
.dashboard-layout {
display: grid;
gap: var(--spacing-layout-md);
grid-template-areas:
"stats"
"charts"
"tables";
}
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.dashboard-layout {
grid-template-areas:
"stats stats"
"charts tables";
grid-template-columns: 2fr 1fr;
}
}
@media (min-width: 1024px) {
.dashboard-layout {
grid-template-areas:
"stats stats stats"
"charts charts tables";
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 300px;
}
}
```
### Card Layouts
#### Responsive Card Grid
```css
.card-grid {
display: grid;
gap: var(--spacing-layout-md);
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
@media (min-width: 640px) {
.card-grid {
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
}
}
@media (min-width: 1024px) {
.card-grid {
grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
}
}
@media (min-width: 1280px) {
.card-grid {
grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
}
}
/* Masonry-style layout */
.card-masonry {
columns: 1;
column-gap: var(--spacing-layout-md);
}
@media (min-width: 640px) {
.card-masonry {
columns: 2;
}
}
@media (min-width: 1024px) {
.card-masonry {
columns: 3;
}
}
@media (min-width: 1280px) {
.card-masonry {
columns: 4;
}
}
.card-masonry .card {
break-inside: avoid;
margin-bottom: var(--spacing-layout-md);
}
```
## Form Layouts
### Responsive Form Patterns
```css
.form-layout {
display: grid;
gap: var(--spacing-component-lg);
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.form-layout {
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
}
.form-field-full {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
}
}
/* Inline form elements */
.form-inline {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: var(--spacing-component-md);
}
@media (min-width: 640px) {
.form-inline {
flex-direction: row;
align-items: flex-end;
}
}
/* Form with sidebar */
.form-with-sidebar {
display: grid;
gap: var(--spacing-layout-lg);
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
@media (min-width: 1024px) {
.form-with-sidebar {
grid-template-columns: 2fr 1fr;
}
}
```
## Navigation Layouts
### Responsive Navigation Patterns
```css
/* Mobile-first navigation */
.nav-mobile {
position: fixed;
top: 0;
left: -100%;
width: 280px;
height: 100vh;
background: var(--bg-elevated);
transition: left var(--transition-base);
z-index: 1000;
}
.nav-mobile.is-open {
left: 0;
}
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.nav-mobile {
position: static;
left: 0;
width: auto;
height: auto;
background: transparent;
}
}
/* Breadcrumb navigation */
.breadcrumb {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
align-items: center;
gap: var(--spacing-component-xs);
font-size: var(--text-sm);
}
.breadcrumb-item:not(:last-child)::after {
content: '/';
margin-left: var(--spacing-component-xs);
color: var(--text-secondary);
}
/* Tab navigation */
.tab-nav {
display: flex;
border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-primary);
overflow-x: auto;
scrollbar-width: none;
-ms-overflow-style: none;
}
.tab-nav::-webkit-scrollbar {
display: none;
}
.tab-nav-item {
flex-shrink: 0;
padding: var(--spacing-component-md) var(--spacing-component-lg);
border-bottom: 2px solid transparent;
transition: all var(--transition-base);
}
.tab-nav-item.is-active {
border-bottom-color: var(--interactive-primary);
color: var(--interactive-primary);
}
```
## Utility Classes
### Responsive Display Utilities
```css
/* Hide/show at different breakpoints */
.hidden { display: none !important; }
.block { display: block !important; }
.inline-block { display: inline-block !important; }
.flex { display: flex !important; }
.inline-flex { display: inline-flex !important; }
.grid { display: grid !important; }
@media (min-width: 640px) {
.sm\:hidden { display: none !important; }
.sm\:block { display: block !important; }
.sm\:flex { display: flex !important; }
.sm\:grid { display: grid !important; }
}
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.md\:hidden { display: none !important; }
.md\:block { display: block !important; }
.md\:flex { display: flex !important; }
.md\:grid { display: grid !important; }
}
@media (min-width: 1024px) {
.lg\:hidden { display: none !important; }
.lg\:block { display: block !important; }
.lg\:flex { display: flex !important; }
.lg\:grid { display: grid !important; }
}
```
### Responsive Spacing Utilities
```css
/* Responsive padding */
.p-responsive {
padding: var(--spacing-layout-sm);
}
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.p-responsive {
padding: var(--spacing-layout-md);
}
}
@media (min-width: 1024px) {
.p-responsive {
padding: var(--spacing-layout-lg);
}
}
/* Responsive margins */
.m-responsive {
margin: var(--spacing-layout-sm);
}
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.m-responsive {
margin: var(--spacing-layout-md);
}
}
@media (min-width: 1024px) {
.m-responsive {
margin: var(--spacing-layout-lg);
}
}
```
## Performance Considerations
### CSS Optimization
```css
/* Use transform for animations instead of changing layout properties */
.slide-in {
transform: translateX(-100%);
transition: transform var(--transition-base);
}
.slide-in.is-visible {
transform: translateX(0);
}
/* Use will-change for elements that will be animated */
.will-animate {
will-change: transform, opacity;
}
/* Remove will-change after animation */
.animation-complete {
will-change: auto;
}
```
### Loading Strategies
```css
/* Skeleton loading for responsive content */
.skeleton-responsive {
background: linear-gradient(90deg,
var(--color-neutral-200) 25%,
var(--color-neutral-100) 50%,
var(--color-neutral-200) 75%);
background-size: 200% 100%;
animation: skeleton-loading 1.5s infinite;
border-radius: var(--radius-md);
}
.skeleton-text {
height: 1em;
margin-bottom: 0.5em;
}
.skeleton-text:last-child {
width: 60%;
margin-bottom: 0;
}
@keyframes skeleton-loading {
0% { background-position: 200% 0; }
100% { background-position: -200% 0; }
}
```
## Accessibility Considerations
### Focus Management
```css
/* Ensure focus indicators are visible at all screen sizes */
.focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid var(--border-focus);
outline-offset: 2px;
}
/* Skip links for keyboard navigation */
.skip-link {
position: absolute;
top: -40px;
left: 6px;
background: var(--bg-elevated);
color: var(--text-primary);
padding: 8px;
text-decoration: none;
border-radius: var(--radius-md);
z-index: 1000;
}
.skip-link:focus {
top: 6px;
}
```
### Reduced Motion Support
```css
/* Respect user's motion preferences */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
*,
*::before,
*::after {
animation-duration: 0.01ms !important;
animation-iteration-count: 1 !important;
transition-duration: 0.01ms !important;
scroll-behavior: auto !important;
}
}
```
## Testing Strategy
### Responsive Testing Checklist
1. **Breakpoint Testing**: Test all major breakpoints (320px, 640px, 768px, 1024px, 1280px, 1536px)
2. **Content Overflow**: Ensure content doesn't break at any screen size
3. **Touch Targets**: Minimum 44px touch targets on mobile devices
4. **Readability**: Text remains readable at all screen sizes
5. **Navigation**: Navigation remains accessible across all devices
6. **Performance**: Layout shifts and reflows are minimized
7. **Accessibility**: Focus management works across all screen sizes
### Browser Support
- **Modern Browsers**: Full CSS Grid and Flexbox support
- **Fallbacks**: Flexbox fallbacks for older browsers
- **Progressive Enhancement**: Basic layout works without CSS Grid
- **Container Queries**: Progressive enhancement for supported browsers
This responsive layout system provides a solid foundation for creating flexible, accessible, and performant layouts across all device sizes while maintaining consistency with the established design system.