thrillwiki_django_no_react/memory-bank/design-system/responsive-layouts.md

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

/* 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

: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

.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

/* 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

/* 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

/* 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

/* 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

: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

.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

/* 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

<!-- Responsive images with art direction -->
<picture>
  <source media="(min-width: 1024px)" srcset="hero-desktop.jpg">
  <source media="(min-width: 768px)" srcset="hero-tablet.jpg">
  <img src="hero-mobile.jpg" alt="Hero image" class="img-responsive">
</picture>

<!-- Responsive images with density -->
<img src="image.jpg" 
     srcset="image.jpg 1x, image@2x.jpg 2x, image@3x.jpg 3x"
     alt="Responsive image" 
     class="img-responsive">

Layout Components

Page Layout Templates

Standard Page Layout

.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

.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

.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

.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

/* 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

/* 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

/* 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

/* 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

/* 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

/* 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

/* 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.