:root{
    --ink:#16241C;
    --ink-soft:#3C4A3B;
    --muted:#5B6858;
    --paper:#EFF3E9;
    --card:#FFFFFF;
    --line:#DCE2D2;
    --gold:#D9A441;
    --gold-deep:#B9822B;
    --gold-tint:#F6E9CE;
    --teal:#1F6F5C;
    --teal-deep:#164F42;
    --teal-tint:#DCEAE5;
    --radius-lg:28px;
    --radius-md:18px;
    --radius-sm:10px;
    --maxw:1180px;
  }

  *{box-sizing:border-box;}
  html{scroll-behavior:smooth;}
  body{
    margin:0;
    background:var(--paper);
    color:var(--ink);
    font-family:'IBM Plex Sans', sans-serif;
    -webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;
  }
  img{max-width:100%;display:block;}
  a{color:inherit;text-decoration:none;}
  ul{margin:0;padding:0;list-style:none;}

  .wrap{max-width:var(--maxw);margin:0 auto;padding:0 28px;}

  .eyebrow{
    font-family:'IBM Plex Mono', monospace;
    font-size:12.5px;
    font-weight:600;
    letter-spacing:.14em;
    text-transform:uppercase;
    color:var(--teal-deep);
  }

  /* ---------- Header ---------- */
  header{
    position:sticky; top:0; z-index:50;
    background:rgba(239,243,233,.88);
    backdrop-filter:blur(10px);
    border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);
  }
  .nav{
    display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:space-between;
    padding:16px 28px;
    max-width:var(--maxw); margin:0 auto;
  }
  .brand{display:flex; align-items:center; gap:11px;}
  .brand svg{width:34px;height:34px;border-radius:9px;flex-shrink:0;}
  .brand-name{
    font-family:'Fraunces', serif;
    font-weight:700;
    font-size:19px;
    letter-spacing:-.01em;
  }
  .nav-links{display:flex; align-items:center; gap:32px;}
  .nav-links a{
    font-size:14.5px; font-weight:500; color:var(--ink-soft);
    transition:color .15s ease;
  }
  .nav-links a:hover{color:var(--teal-deep);}
  .btn{
    display:inline-flex; align-items:center; gap:8px;
    font-family:'IBM Plex Sans', sans-serif;
    font-weight:600; font-size:14.5px;
    padding:11px 20px; border-radius:999px;
    border:1px solid transparent;
    cursor:pointer;
    transition:transform .15s ease, box-shadow .15s ease, background .15s ease;
    white-space:nowrap;
  }
  .btn-gold{background:var(--gold); color:var(--ink);}
  .btn-gold:hover{background:var(--gold-deep); transform:translateY(-1px); box-shadow:0 8px 20px rgba(185,130,43,.28);}
  .btn-outline{background:transparent; border-color:var(--ink); color:var(--ink);}
  .btn-outline:hover{background:var(--ink); color:var(--paper);}
  .btn-sm{padding:9px 16px; font-size:13.5px;}
  .mobile-toggle{display:none;}

  /* ---------- Hero ---------- */
  .hero{
    position:relative; overflow:hidden;
    padding:88px 0 64px;
    border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);
  }
  .stairs-bg{
    position:absolute; right:-40px; bottom:-30px;
    width:420px; height:420px;
    opacity:.55; pointer-events:none;
  }
  .hero-inner{position:relative; max-width:680px;}
  .hero h1{
    font-family:'Fraunces', serif;
    font-weight:600;
    font-size:clamp(40px, 6vw, 68px);
    line-height:1.02;
    letter-spacing:-.02em;
    margin:18px 0 22px;
  }
  .hero h1 em{
    font-style:italic;
    font-weight:600;
    color:var(--gold-deep);
    background:linear-gradient(180deg, transparent 62%, var(--gold-tint) 62%);
  }
  .hero p.lede{
    font-size:18px; line-height:1.6;
    color:var(--ink-soft);
    max-width:520px;
    margin:0 0 34px;
  }
  .hero-ctas{display:flex; gap:14px; flex-wrap:wrap;}

  .week-strip{
    display:flex; gap:8px; margin-top:46px; align-items:center;
  }
  .week-strip .day{
    width:30px; height:30px; border-radius:8px;
    display:grid; place-items:center;
    font-family:'IBM Plex Mono', monospace;
    font-size:11px; font-weight:600;
    border:1px solid var(--line);
    color:var(--muted);
    background:var(--card);
  }
  .week-strip .day.done{
    background:var(--teal); color:#fff; border-color:var(--teal);
  }
  .week-strip .label{
    font-family:'IBM Plex Mono', monospace;
    font-size:12px; color:var(--muted); margin-left:6px;
  }

  /* ---------- Section shell ---------- */
  section{padding:76px 0;}
  .section-head{
    display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:flex-end;
    gap:24px; margin-bottom:38px; flex-wrap:wrap;
  }
  .section-head h2{
    font-family:'Fraunces', serif;
    font-weight:600;
    font-size:clamp(28px, 3.4vw, 38px);
    letter-spacing:-.01em;
    margin:10px 0 0;
  }
  .section-head p{
    color:var(--muted); font-size:15.5px; max-width:440px; margin:10px 0 0;
  }

  /* ---------- Top Picks ---------- */
  .picks{background:var(--card); border-top:1px solid var(--line); border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);}
  .picks-grid{
    display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(4, 1fr); gap:22px;
  }
  .pick-card{
    background:var(--paper);
    border:1px solid var(--line);
    border-radius:var(--radius-md);
    padding:26px 22px;
    position:relative;
    display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:14px;
    transition:transform .18s ease, box-shadow .18s ease;
  }
  .pick-card:hover{transform:translateY(-4px); box-shadow:0 16px 30px rgba(22,36,28,.08);}
  .pick-rank{
    font-family:'IBM Plex Mono', monospace;
    font-size:12px; font-weight:600;
    color:var(--gold-deep);
    display:flex; align-items:center; gap:6px;
  }
  .pick-rank .stairs-mini{width:14px;height:14px;}
  .pick-icon{
    width:46px;height:46px;border-radius:12px;
    display:grid;place-items:center;
    background:var(--teal-tint); color:var(--teal-deep);
  }
  .pick-icon svg{width:24px;height:24px;}
  .pick-card h3{
    font-family:'Fraunces', serif; font-weight:600; font-size:19px;
    margin:0; line-height:1.25;
  }
  .pick-card p{
    font-size:14px; color:var(--muted); line-height:1.55; margin:0; flex-grow:1;
  }
  .pick-card .learn{
    font-size:13.5px; font-weight:600; color:var(--teal-deep);
    display:inline-flex; align-items:center; gap:5px;
  }
  .pick-disclosure{
    margin-top:30px; font-size:12.5px; color:var(--muted); line-height:1.6;
    max-width:760px;
  }

  /* ---------- Articles ---------- */
  .articles-grid{
    display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(3, 1fr); gap:26px 24px;
  }
  .article-card{display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:14px;}
  .thumb{
    aspect-ratio:4/3; border-radius:var(--radius-md);
    background:linear-gradient(135deg, var(--c1), var(--c2));
    position:relative; overflow:hidden;
    display:grid; place-items:center;
  }
  .thumb::after{
    content:"";
    position:absolute; inset:0;
    background:radial-gradient(circle at 78% 18%, rgba(255,255,255,.35), transparent 55%);
  }
  .thumb-icon{position:relative; z-index:1; color:rgba(255,255,255,.92);}
  .thumb-icon svg{width:72px; height:72px;}
  .tag{
    font-family:'IBM Plex Mono', monospace;
    font-size:11.5px; font-weight:600; letter-spacing:.06em; text-transform:uppercase;
    color:var(--teal-deep);
  }
  .article-card h3{
    font-family:'Fraunces', serif; font-weight:600; font-size:20px; line-height:1.3;
    margin:2px 0 0;
  }
  .article-meta{
    font-family:'IBM Plex Mono', monospace; font-size:12px; color:var(--muted);
  }

  /* ---------- Email band ---------- */
  .email-band{
    background:var(--ink); color:var(--paper);
    border-radius:var(--radius-lg);
    padding:56px;
    display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:space-between;
    gap:40px; flex-wrap:wrap;
  }
  .email-band .copy h2{
    font-family:'Fraunces', serif; font-weight:600; font-size:30px;
    margin:0 0 10px; max-width:420px; line-height:1.2;
  }
  .email-band .copy p{margin:0; color:#B7C2B3; font-size:15px; max-width:400px;}
  .email-form{display:flex; gap:10px; flex-wrap:wrap;}
  .email-form input{
    font-family:'IBM Plex Sans', sans-serif;
    padding:13px 16px; border-radius:999px; border:1px solid #3C4A3B;
    background:#1F3126; color:#fff; font-size:14.5px; min-width:240px;
  }
  .email-form input::placeholder{color:#8FA089;}

  /* ---------- Footer ---------- */
  footer{padding:64px 0 40px; border-top:1px solid var(--line);}
  .footer-top{
    display:flex; justify-content:space-between; gap:40px; flex-wrap:wrap;
    padding-bottom:44px;
  }
  .footer-brand{max-width:280px;}
  .footer-brand .brand{margin-bottom:14px;}
  .footer-brand p{color:var(--muted); font-size:14px; line-height:1.6;}
  .footer-cols{display:flex; gap:56px; flex-wrap:wrap;}
  .footer-col h4{
    font-family:'IBM Plex Mono', monospace;
    font-size:12px; letter-spacing:.08em; text-transform:uppercase;
    color:var(--muted); margin:0 0 16px;
  }
  .footer-col ul li{margin-bottom:10px;}
  .footer-col a{font-size:14.5px; color:var(--ink-soft);}
  .footer-col a:hover{color:var(--teal-deep);}
  .disclosure{
    border-top:1px solid var(--line); padding-top:28px;
    font-size:12.5px; color:var(--muted); line-height:1.7;
  }
  .disclosure .bottom-row{
    display:flex; justify-content:space-between; margin-top:18px; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:10px;
  }

  /* ---------- Responsive ---------- */
  @media (max-width:900px){
    .nav-links{display:none;}
    .mobile-toggle{display:block;}
    .picks-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(2, 1fr);}
    .articles-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(2, 1fr);}
    .email-band{padding:38px 28px;}
  }
  @media (max-width:600px){
    .picks-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}
    .articles-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}
    .hero{padding:56px 0 44px;}
    .stairs-bg{display:none;}
    .footer-top{flex-direction:column;}
    section{padding:56px 0;}
  }

  @media (prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){
    *{transition:none !important; scroll-behavior:auto !important;}
  }

  :focus-visible{outline:2px solid var(--teal-deep); outline-offset:3px;}

  /* ---------- Article page ---------- */
  .article-hero{padding:52px 0 40px; border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);}
  .article-hero .tag{display:inline-block; margin-bottom:14px;}
  .article-hero h1{
    font-family:'Fraunces', serif; font-weight:600;
    font-size:clamp(32px, 5vw, 50px); line-height:1.08; letter-spacing:-.02em;
    max-width:820px; margin:0 0 18px;
  }
  .article-hero .dek{
    font-size:17.5px; color:var(--ink-soft); max-width:640px; line-height:1.6; margin:0 0 20px;
  }
  .article-meta-row{
    display:flex; gap:16px; align-items:center;
    font-family:'IBM Plex Mono', monospace; font-size:12.5px; color:var(--muted);
  }
  .article-meta-row .dot{width:4px; height:4px; border-radius:50%; background:var(--muted);}
  .article-cover{
    margin-top:32px; aspect-ratio:16/7; border-radius:var(--radius-lg);
    position:relative; overflow:hidden;
    display:grid; place-items:center;
  }
  .article-cover::after{
    content:""; position:absolute; inset:0;
    background:radial-gradient(circle at 80% 15%, rgba(255,255,255,.3), transparent 55%);
  }
  .cover-icon{position:relative; z-index:1; color:rgba(255,255,255,.92);}
  .cover-icon svg{width:96px; height:96px;}
  .article-body{padding:52px 0 76px;}
  .article-body .prose{max-width:700px; font-size:17px; line-height:1.75; color:var(--ink);}
  .prose h2{
    font-family:'Fraunces', serif; font-weight:600; font-size:26px;
    margin:44px 0 16px; letter-spacing:-.01em;
  }
  .prose p{margin:0 0 20px;}
  .prose ul, .prose ol{margin:0 0 24px; padding-left:22px;}
  .prose li{margin-bottom:10px;}
  .prose strong{color:var(--teal-deep);}
  .callout{
    background:var(--card); border:1px solid var(--line); border-left:4px solid var(--gold);
    border-radius:var(--radius-sm); padding:18px 22px; margin:28px 0;
    font-size:15px; color:var(--ink-soft);
  }
  .back-link{
    display:inline-flex; align-items:center; gap:8px; margin-bottom:28px;
    font-family:'IBM Plex Mono', monospace; font-size:13px; color:var(--teal-deep); font-weight:600;
  }
  .article-footer-nav{
    border-top:1px solid var(--line); margin-top:44px; padding-top:28px;
    display:flex; justify-content:space-between; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:16px;
  }

  /* ---------- Contact page ---------- */
  .contact-card{
    background:var(--card); border:1px solid var(--line); border-radius:var(--radius-lg);
    padding:40px; max-width:560px; margin-top:8px;
  }
  .contact-card .field{margin-bottom:18px;}
  .contact-card label{
    display:block; font-family:'IBM Plex Mono', monospace; font-size:12px;
    text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:.06em; color:var(--muted); margin-bottom:8px;
  }
  .contact-card input, .contact-card textarea{
    width:100%; font-family:'IBM Plex Sans', sans-serif; font-size:15px;
    padding:12px 14px; border-radius:10px; border:1px solid var(--line);
    background:var(--paper); color:var(--ink);
  }
  .contact-card textarea{min-height:120px; resize:vertical;}
  .contact-direct{
    margin-top:26px; padding-top:22px; border-top:1px solid var(--line);
    font-size:14.5px; color:var(--muted);
  }
  .contact-direct a{color:var(--teal-deep); font-weight:600;}