/*
Theme Name: The Sid Pen
Theme URI: https://thesidpen.in
Author: Siddhant
Description: Custom theme for The Sid Pen — a personal essay and writing blog.
Version: 1.1
License: GNU General Public License v2 or later
Text Domain: thesidpen
*/

@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Playfair+Display:ital,wght@0,400;0,700;1,400&family=Source+Serif+4:wght@300;400&family=Inter:wght@400;500&display=swap');

*, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }

body {
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  background: #FAF8F5;
  color: #1a1a18;
  font-size: 16px;
  line-height: 1.7;
}

a { color: inherit; text-decoration: none; }
img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; }

/* ── HERO IMAGE ── */
.hero-image {
  width: 100%;
  height: 340px;
  overflow: hidden;
  margin-bottom: 32px;
}
.hero-image img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
}

/* ── POST CARD IMAGE ── */
.post-card-image {
  width: 100%;
  height: 180px;
  overflow: hidden;
  margin-bottom: 16px;
}
.post-card-image img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
}
.post-card-body { padding: 0 16px; }
.post-card-image img { transition: opacity 0.2s; }

/* ── SINGLE POST IMAGE ── */
.single-post-header { display: flex; gap: 40px; align-items: flex-start; margin-bottom: 40px; padding-bottom: 32px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8; }
.single-post-header-text { flex: 1; }
.single-post-thumb { width: 200px; flex-shrink: 0; }
.single-post-thumb img { width: 100%; height: 160px; object-fit: cover; }
.post-card-excerpt {
  font-family: 'Source Serif 4', serif;
  font-size: 14px;
  color: #5c5a54;
  line-height: 1.6;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
  font-weight: 300;
}

/* ── TOP BAR ── */
.site-top-bar {
  background: #1a1a18;
  padding: 8px 40px;
  text-align: center;
}
.site-top-bar span {
  font-size: 11px;
  letter-spacing: 2.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #c8c4bb;
}

/* ── NAV ── */
.site-header {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  padding: 24px 40px;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  background: #FAF8F5;
  position: sticky;
  top: 0;
  z-index: 100;
}
.site-logo {
  font-family: 'Great Vibes', cursive;
  font-size: 36px;
  font-weight: 400;
  color: #1a1a18;
  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
  line-height: 1;
}
.site-logo:hover { color: #1a1a18; }

.nav-menu {
  display: flex;
  gap: 32px;
  list-style: none;
}
.nav-menu a {
  font-size: 12px;
  font-weight: 500;
  color: #5c5a54;
  letter-spacing: 1px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  transition: color 0.2s;
}
.nav-menu a:hover { color: #1a1a18; }

.nav-toggle {
  display: none;
  background: none;
  border: none;
  cursor: pointer;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 5px;
  padding: 4px;
}
.site-header nav .nav-toggle {
  display: none !important;
}

.nav-toggle span {
  display: block;
  width: 22px;
  height: 1.5px;
  background: #1a1a18;
  transition: all 0.3s;
}

/* ── HERO (homepage) ── */
.hero-section {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1px 320px;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
}
.hero-main { padding: 52px 40px; }

.eyebrow {
  font-size: 11px;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #5c5a54;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
  font-weight: 500;
}
.hero-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 40px;
  font-weight: 700;
  line-height: 1.18;
  letter-spacing: 0;
  margin-bottom: 16px;
  color: #1a1a18;
}
.hero-title a { color: inherit; }
.hero-title a:hover { color: #4a4844; }

.hero-meta {
  font-size: 12px;
  color: #706e68;
  letter-spacing: 0.3px;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.hero-meta span { margin-right: 14px; }

.hero-excerpt {
  font-family: 'Source Serif 4', serif;
  font-size: 17px;
  line-height: 1.8;
  color: #4a4844;
  margin-bottom: 28px;
  font-weight: 300;
}
.read-link {
  font-size: 13px;
  font-weight: 500;
  color: #1a1a18;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #1a1a18;
  padding-bottom: 2px;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 6px;
  transition: opacity 0.2s;
}
.read-link:hover { opacity: 0.6; }

.side-tag {
  font-size: 10px;
  letter-spacing: 1.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #706e68;
  margin-bottom: 6px;
}
.side-date { font-size: 11px; color: #706e68; }

/* ── ARCHIVE GRID ── */
.section-wrap { padding: 44px 40px 0; }
.section-label {
  font-size: 11px;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #5c5a54;
  margin-bottom: 28px;
  padding-bottom: 12px;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  font-weight: 500;
}
.posts-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  gap: 0;
}
.post-card {
  padding: 0 0 24px 0;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  cursor: pointer;
}
.post-card:hover .post-card-title { color: #4a4844; }
.post-card:hover .post-card-image img { opacity: 0.88; }
.post-card:nth-child(3n+2),
.post-card:nth-child(3n+3) { padding-left: 0; }
.post-card:nth-child(3n+2) { padding: 0 0 24px 24px; border-left: 1px solid #e0ddd8; }
.post-card:nth-child(3n+3) { padding: 0 0 24px 24px; border-left: 1px solid #e0ddd8; }

.post-card-tag {
  font-size: 10px;
  letter-spacing: 1.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #706e68;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.post-card-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 17px;
  font-weight: 400;
  line-height: 1.35;
  color: #1a1a18;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.post-card-title a { color: inherit; }
.post-card-title a:hover { color: #4a4844; }
.post-card-meta { font-size: 11px; color: #706e68; }

/* ── PAGINATION ── */
.pagination {
  padding: 40px;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 8px;
}
.pagination a, .pagination span {
  font-size: 13px;
  padding: 8px 16px;
  border: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  color: #4a4844;
  transition: all 0.2s;
}
.pagination a:hover { background: #1a1a18; color: #FAF8F5; border-color: #1a1a18; }
.pagination .current { background: #1a1a18; color: #FAF8F5; border-color: #1a1a18; }

/* ── SINGLE POST ── */
.single-post-wrap { max-width: 720px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 60px 40px; }
.single-post-eyebrow { font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 2px; text-transform: uppercase; color: #5c5a54; margin-bottom: 20px; }
.single-post-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 44px;
  font-weight: 700;
  line-height: 1.15;
  letter-spacing: 0;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
  color: #1a1a18;
}
.single-post-meta { font-size: 13px; color: #706e68; margin-bottom: 40px; padding-bottom: 32px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8; }
.single-post-meta span { margin-right: 16px; }

.post-content {
  font-family: 'Source Serif 4', serif;
  font-size: 19px;
  line-height: 1.85;
  color: #2a2a28;
  font-weight: 300;
}
.post-content p { margin-bottom: 1.6em; }
.post-content h2 { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 26px; font-weight: 700; margin: 2em 0 0.8em; color: #1a1a18; }
.post-content h3 { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 21px; font-weight: 400; margin: 1.8em 0 0.6em; color: #1a1a18; }
.post-content blockquote { border-left: 2px solid #1a1a18; padding-left: 24px; margin: 2em 0; font-style: italic; color: #4a4844; }
.post-content a { border-bottom: 1px solid #706e68; }
.post-content a:hover { border-color: #1a1a18; }

.post-footer { margin-top: 60px; padding-top: 32px; border-top: 1px solid #e0ddd8; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; }
.post-tags { display: flex; gap: 8px; flex-wrap: wrap; }
.post-tag { font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-transform: uppercase; color: #5c5a54; border: 1px solid #e0ddd8; padding: 4px 12px; }

/* ── CATEGORY/ARCHIVE PAGE ── */
.archive-header { padding: 52px 40px 32px; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8; }
.archive-title { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 36px; font-weight: 700; color: #1a1a18; }
.archive-desc { font-size: 15px; color: #5c5a54; margin-top: 10px; }

/* ── ABOUT PAGE ── */
.page-wrap { max-width: 720px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 60px 40px; }
.page-title { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 40px; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 40px; color: #1a1a18; }
.page-content { font-family: 'Source Serif 4', serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.85; color: #2a2a28; font-weight: 300; }
.page-content p { margin-bottom: 1.6em; }

/* ── FOOTER ── */
.site-footer {
  margin-top: 60px;
  padding: 28px 40px;
  border-top: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  text-align: center;
  background: #FAF8F5;
}
.footer-logo {
  font-family: 'Great Vibes', cursive;
  font-size: 24px;
  font-weight: 400;
  color: #1a1a18;
  margin-bottom: 6px; /* Adds space above the tagline */
}
.footer-text { font-size: 12px; color: #706e68; letter-spacing: 1.5px; text-transform: uppercase; }

/* ── PREMIUM HOMEPAGE ── */
body {
  max-width: 1440px;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.home-magazine {
  border-left: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  border-right: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
}

.hero-section {
  display: block;
  padding: 56px 40px 48px;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #1a1a18;
}

.hero-kicker {
  font-size: 11px;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #5c5a54;
  padding-bottom: 14px;
  margin-bottom: 30px;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  font-weight: 500;
}

.hero-main {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1.05fr) minmax(320px, 0.95fr);
  gap: 44px;
  align-items: stretch;
  padding: 0;
}

.hero-copy {
  min-width: 0;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: center;
}

.hero-image {
  height: auto;
  min-height: 360px;
  aspect-ratio: 5 / 4;
  margin-bottom: 0;
  border: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  background: #efece6;
}

.hero-title {
  font-size: 58px;
  line-height: 1.04;
  max-width: 820px;
  overflow-wrap: anywhere;
}

.hero-meta {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 8px 14px;
}

.hero-meta span {
  margin-right: 0;
}

.hero-excerpt {
  font-size: 20px;
  line-height: 1.85;
  max-width: 720px;
}

.recent-section {
  padding-top: 42px;
}

.recent-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));
  gap: 0;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
}

.recent-item {
  min-width: 0;
  padding: 0 24px 28px 0;
}

.recent-item + .recent-item {
  padding-left: 24px;
  border-left: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
}

.recent-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 25px;
  font-weight: 400;
  line-height: 1.22;
  color: #1a1a18;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
  overflow-wrap: anywhere;
}

.recent-title a:hover {
  color: #4a4844;
}

.recent-excerpt {
  font-family: 'Source Serif 4', serif;
  font-size: 15px;
  line-height: 1.65;
  color: #6c6963;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
  font-weight: 300;
}

.archive-section {
  padding-top: 42px;
}

.posts-grid {
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));
  gap: 28px;
}

.post-card,
.post-card:nth-child(3n+2),
.post-card:nth-child(3n+3) {
  min-width: 0;
  padding: 0 0 26px;
  border-left: none;
}

.post-card {
  cursor: default;
}

.post-card-image {
  height: auto;
  aspect-ratio: 4 / 3;
  margin-bottom: 18px;
  background: #efece6;
}

.post-card-body {
  padding: 0;
}

.post-card-title {
  font-size: 22px;
  line-height: 1.25;
  overflow-wrap: anywhere;
}

.home-pagination {
  padding-top: 18px;
}

.site-logo {
  font-size: 46px;
}

/* ── RESPONSIVE ── */
@media (max-width: 980px) {
  .site-header {
    padding: 20px 28px;
  }

  .site-top-bar {
    padding: 8px 28px;
  }

  .hero-section {
    padding: 42px 28px 38px;
  }

  .hero-main {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    gap: 28px;
  }

  .hero-copy {
    justify-content: flex-start;
  }

  .hero-image {
    min-height: 0;
    aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;
    order: -1;
  }

  .hero-title {
    font-size: 44px;
    line-height: 1.08;
  }

  .hero-excerpt {
    font-size: 18px;
    line-height: 1.75;
  }

  .section-wrap {
    padding: 34px 28px 0;
  }

  .recent-grid,
  .posts-grid {
    grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));
    gap: 24px;
  }

  .recent-item,
  .recent-item + .recent-item {
    padding: 0 0 24px;
    border-left: none;
    border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  }

  .recent-item:last-child {
    grid-column: 1 / -1;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .site-header {
    padding: 18px 20px;
  }

  .site-top-bar {
    padding: 8px 20px;
  }

  .site-logo {
    font-size: 38px;
  }

  .nav-menu {
    display: none;
    flex-direction: column;
    position: absolute;
    top: 100%;
    left: 0;
    right: 0;
    background: #FAF8F5;
    padding: 20px;
    border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
    gap: 16px;
  }

  .nav-menu.open {
    display: flex;
  }

  .nav-toggle {
    display: flex;
  }

  .home-magazine {
    border-left: none;
    border-right: none;
  }

  .hero-section {
    padding: 32px 20px 34px;
  }

  .hero-kicker {
    margin-bottom: 22px;
  }

  .hero-title {
    font-size: 34px;
    line-height: 1.12;
  }

  .hero-excerpt {
    font-size: 17px;
    line-height: 1.7;
  }

  .section-wrap {
    padding: 32px 20px 0;
  }

  .recent-grid,
  .posts-grid {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    gap: 0;
  }

  .post-card,
  .post-card:nth-child(3n+2),
  .post-card:nth-child(3n+3) {
    padding: 0 0 26px;
    border-left: none;
  }

  .post-card + .post-card {
    padding-top: 26px;
  }

  .recent-title {
    font-size: 22px;
  }

  .post-card-title {
    font-size: 21px;
  }

  .single-post-wrap {
    padding: 32px 20px;
  }

  .single-post-header {
    display: block;
  }

  .single-post-thumb {
    width: 100%;
    margin-top: 24px;
  }

  .single-post-thumb img {
    height: auto;
    aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;
  }

  .single-post-title {
    font-size: 30px;
  }

  .post-content {
    font-size: 17px;
  }

  .post-footer {
    display: block;
  }

  .post-footer .read-link {
    margin-top: 24px;
  }

  .page-wrap {
    padding: 32px 20px;
  }

  .page-title {
    font-size: 28px;
  }

  .page-content {
    font-size: 17px;
  }

  .archive-header {
    padding: 32px 20px;
  }

  .archive-title {
    font-size: 30px;
  }

  .site-footer {
    padding: 24px 20px;
  }

  .pagination {
    padding: 32px 20px;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 420px) {
  .site-logo {
    font-size: 34px;
  }

  .hero-title {
    font-size: 30px;
  }

  .hero-meta {
    display: block;
  }

  .hero-meta span {
    display: block;
  }

  .pagination a,
  .pagination span {
    width: 100%;
    text-align: center;
  }
}
/* Publication Statement */

.publication-statement {
    padding: 40px 40px;
    border-top: 1px solid #e6e1da;
    border-bottom: 1px solid #e6e1da;
    background: #faf8f5;
}

.publication-statement__inner {
    max-width: 900px;
    margin: 0 auto;
}

.publication-statement__label {
    display: inline-block;
    font-family: Inter, sans-serif;
    font-size: 11px;
    letter-spacing: 2px;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: #5c5a54;
    margin-bottom: 24px;
}

.publication-statement__headline {
    font-family: "Playfair Display", serif;
    font-size: 42px;
    line-height: 1.2;
    margin-bottom: 24px;
    color: #1a1a18;
}

.publication-statement__description {
    font-family: "Source Serif 4", serif;
    font-size: 20px;
    line-height: 1.8;
    color: #4a4a44;
    margin-bottom: 32px;
}

.publication-statement__button {
    display: inline-block;
    padding: 12px 24px;
    background: #1a1a18;
    color: #faf8f5;
    text-decoration: none;
    font-family: Inter, sans-serif;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    letter-spacing: 1px;
    font-size: 12px;
}

.publication-statement__button:hover {
    opacity: 0.9;
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {

    .publication-statement {
        padding: 28px 24px;
    }

    .publication-statement__headline {
        font-size: 30px;
    }

    .publication-statement__description {
        font-size: 17px;
    }
}
/* ── A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR SECTION ── */
.author-note {
  padding: 72px 40px;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #1a1a18;
  background-color: #FAF8F5; /* Matches theme body background */
}

.author-note__inner {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1.5fr; /* 2 columns: left for header/name, right for body text and button */
  gap: 48px;
  max-width: 1100px;
  margin: 0;
}

.author-note__header {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
}

.author-note__label {
  display: inline-block;
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 2.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #5c5a54; /* Matches theme's kicker/eyebrow gray */
  margin-bottom: 20px;
}

.author-note__headline {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 38px;
  font-weight: 400;
  line-height: 1.2;
  color: #1a1a18;
}

.author-note__content {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: flex-start;
}

.author-note__body {
  font-family: 'Source Serif 4', serif;
  font-size: 18px;
  font-weight: 400;
  line-height: 1.85;
  color: #4a4844; /* Matches theme excerpt gray */
  margin-bottom: 32px;
}

.author-note__paragraph {
  margin-bottom: 1.2em;
}

.author-note__paragraph:last-child {
  margin-bottom: 0;
}

.author-note__button {
  display: inline-block;
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 12px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 1.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #FAF8F5;
  background-color: #1a1a18;
  padding: 12px 28px;
  border: 1px solid #1a1a18;
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: background-color 0.2s, color 0.2s;
}

.author-note__button:hover {
  background-color: transparent;
  color: #1a1a18;
}

/* ── RESPONSIVE ADJUSTMENTS ── */
@media (max-width: 980px) {
  .author-note {
    padding: 60px 28px;
  }
  .author-note__inner {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    gap: 32px;
  }
  .author-note__headline {
    font-size: 32px;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .author-note {
    padding: 48px 20px;
  }
  .author-note__inner {
    gap: 24px;
  }
  .author-note__label {
    margin-bottom: 12px;
  }
  .author-note__headline {
    font-size: 28px;
  }
  .author-note__body {
    font-size: 16px;
    line-height: 1.75;
    margin-bottom: 28px;
  }
  .author-note__button {
    padding: 10px 24px;
  }
}
/* ── START HERE SECTION ── */
.start-here {
  padding: 72px 40px;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #1a1a18;
  background-color: #FAF8F5; /* Matches theme body background */
}

.start-here__inner {
  max-width: 1440px; /* Aligns with home-magazine max-width constraint */
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.start-here__label {
  display: inline-block;
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 2.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #5c5a54; /* Matches existing theme kicks/labels */
  margin-bottom: 20px;
}

.start-here__headline {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 38px;
  font-weight: 400;
  line-height: 1.2;
  color: #1a1a18;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.start-here__description {
  font-family: 'Source Serif 4', serif;
  font-size: 18px;
  font-weight: 300;
  line-height: 1.6;
  color: #4a4844;
  margin-bottom: 44px;
}

.start-here__grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
  gap: 0;
  border-top: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  padding-top: 40px;
}

.start-here__card {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: flex-start;
  min-width: 0; /* Prevents overflow inside grid items */
  padding: 0 24px 28px 0;
}

.start-here__card:not(:first-child) {
  padding-left: 24px;
  border-left: 1px solid #e0ddd8; /* Vertical separators matching theme's recent list */
}

.start-here__card:last-child {
  padding-right: 0;
}

.start-here__card-category {
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 10px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 1.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #706e68;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.start-here__card-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 20px;
  font-weight: 400;
  line-height: 1.3;
  color: #1a1a18;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.start-here__card-excerpt {
  font-family: 'Source Serif 4', serif;
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 300;
  line-height: 1.65;
  color: #6c6963;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
  flex-grow: 1; /* Pushes the read button to align at the bottom */
}

/* ==========================================================================
   START HERE SECTION - FULL-CARD CLICKABILITY & BUTTON STYLING
   ========================================================================== */

/* 1. Establish the positioning context on the parent card */
.start-here__card {
  position: relative; /* Binds the absolute overlay to this container */
}

/* 2. Title Link Styling (removes default link lines and colors) */
.start-here__card-title a {
  text-decoration: none;
  color: inherit;
  transition: color 0.2s;
}

/* 3. The Clickable Overlay (creates the full-card clickable area) */
.start-here__card-title a::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  bottom: 0;
  z-index: 5; /* Places the clickable overlay on top of the entire card */
}

/* 4. Styling for the bottom link indicator (replaces .start-here__card-button) */
.start-here__card-button-text {
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 1px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #1a1a18;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #1a1a18;
  padding-bottom: 2px;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  transition: opacity 0.2s;
  margin-top: auto; /* Pushes the indicator to the bottom of the card */
}

/* 5. Hover effects triggered when the overall card is hovered */
.start-here__card:hover .start-here__card-title a {
  color: #4a4844; /* Subtle gray fade on title */
}

.start-here__card:hover .start-here__card-button-text {
  opacity: 0.6; /* Fades the bottom "Read Essay" indicator */
}

/* ── RESPONSIVE ADJUSTMENTS ── */
@media (max-width: 980px) {
  .start-here {
    padding: 60px 28px;
  }
  .start-here__headline {
    font-size: 32px;
  }
  .start-here__grid {
    grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
    gap: 32px 24px;
  }
  .start-here__card {
    padding: 0;
    border-left: none !important;
  }
  .start-here__card:not(:first-child) {
    padding-left: 0;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .start-here {
    padding: 48px 20px;
  }
  .start-here__headline {
    font-size: 28px;
    margin-bottom: 10px;
  }
  .start-here__description {
    font-size: 16px;
    margin-bottom: 32px;
  }
  .start-here__grid {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    gap: 32px;
    padding-top: 32px;
  }
  .start-here__card {
    padding-bottom: 0;
  }
}
/* ── RELATED READING SECTION ── */
.related-reading {
  padding: 48px 40px 72px; /* Reduced top padding from 72px to 48px */
  border-top: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  background-color: #FAF8F5; /* Matches theme body background */
}

/* Pull singular article container and related reading closer together */
.single .single-post-wrap {
  padding-bottom: 40px; /* Reduced bottom padding from 60px to 40px */
}

.related-reading__inner {
  max-width: 1440px; /* Aligns with home-magazine max-width constraint */
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.related-label {
  display: inline-block;
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 2.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #5c5a54; /* Matches existing theme kicker/eyebrow gray */
  margin-bottom: 20px;
}

.related-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  gap: 0;
  border-top: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  padding-top: 40px;
}

.related-card {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: flex-start;
  min-width: 0; /* Prevents cell overflow */
  padding: 0 24px 28px 0;
}

.related-card:not(:first-child) {
  padding-left: 24px;
  border-left: 1px solid #e0ddd8; /* Vertical separators matching homepage */
}

.related-card:last-child {
  padding-right: 0;
}

.related-card-tag {
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 10px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 1.5px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #706e68;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.related-card-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 22px;
  font-weight: 400;
  line-height: 1.25;
  color: #1a1a18;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.related-card-title a {
  color: inherit;
  text-decoration: none;
}

.related-card-title a:hover {
  color: #4a4844;
}

.related-card-excerpt {
  font-family: 'Source Serif 4', serif;
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 300;
  line-height: 1.65;
  color: #6c6963;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
  flex-grow: 1; /* Pushes the meta row to align at the bottom */
}

.related-card-meta {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: center;
  width: 100%;
  margin-top: auto;
}

.related-card-time {
  font-family: 'Source Serif 4', serif;
  font-size: 11px;
  color: #706e68;
}

.related-card-link {
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 1px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #1a1a18;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #1a1a18;
  padding-bottom: 2px;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: opacity 0.2s;
}

.related-card-link:hover {
  opacity: 0.6;
}

/* ── RESPONSIVE ADJUSTMENTS ── */
@media (max-width: 980px) {
  .related-reading {
    padding: 60px 28px;
  }
  .related-grid {
    grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));
    gap: 24px;
  }
  .related-card {
    padding: 0 0 24px;
    border-left: none !important;
    border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  }
  .related-card:last-child {
    grid-column: 1 / -1; /* Stretch 3rd card across both columns */
    border-bottom: none;
    padding-bottom: 0;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .related-reading {
    padding: 48px 20px;
  }
  .related-grid {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    gap: 0;
    padding-top: 32px;
  }
  .related-card {
    padding: 24px 0;
    border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  }
  .related-card:first-child {
    padding-top: 0;
  }
  .related-card:last-child {
    grid-column: auto;
    border-bottom: none;
    padding-bottom: 0;
  }
}
/* ── READING PROGRESS BAR ── */
.reading-progress-container {
  position: fixed;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 3px; /* Thin, minimal track line */
  background-color: transparent; /* Invisible background track */
  z-index: 1000; /* Fixed above your sticky header (z-index 100) */
  pointer-events: none; /* Prevents container from blocking user clicks/selections */
}

.reading-progress-bar {
  height: 100%;
  width: 0%;
  background-color: #1a1a18; /* Active color matches theme's primary charcoal tone */
  transition: width 0.1s ease-out; /* Smooth progress bar expansion */
}
/* ==========================================================================
   HOMEPAGE CARD CLICKABILITY OVERLAYS (RECENT & ARCHIVE)
   ========================================================================== */

/* 1. Establish the positioning context on card containers */
.recent-item,
.post-card {
  position: relative; /* All absolute overlays will be bounded by these borders */
}

/* 2. Reset title link styling to inherit typography cleanly */
.recent-title a,
.post-card-title a {
  text-decoration: none;
  color: inherit;
  transition: color 0.2s;
}

/* 3. The Clickable Overlays (stretches title links to cover entire card) */
.recent-title a::after,
.post-card-title a::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  bottom: 0;
  z-index: 5; /* Layer sits above card text/images to capture clicks */
}

/* 4. Hover states (triggered when the overall card is hovered) */
.recent-item:hover .recent-title a,
.post-card:hover .post-card-title a {
  color: #4a4844; /* Subtle gray text color shift */
}
.post-card:hover .post-card-image img {
   opacity: 0.88; /* Triggers the theme's image fade on card hover */
}
/* ── RELATED READING CARD CLICKABILITY OVERLAYS ── */

/* 1. Establish the positioning context on the related card container */
.related-card {
  position: relative;
}

/* 2. Create the clickable overlay stretching over the entire card */
.related-card-title a::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  bottom: 0;
  z-index: 5;
}

/* 3. Style hover state transitions when hovering the card */
.related-card:hover .related-card-title a {
  color: #4a4844;
}

.related-card:hover .related-card-link {
  opacity: 0.6;
}
/* ── MINIMALIST HEADER SEARCH ── */

/* 1. Header structural adjustment to align search beside menu */
.site-header {
  gap: 20px;
}

.site-header nav {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
}

/* 2. Search form wrapper */
.header-search {
  position: relative;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  margin-left: auto; /* Pushes the search form to the right */
}

/* 3. Search text input layout and border */
.header-search-input {
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 13px;
  border: none;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  background: transparent;
  padding: 4px 28px 4px 8px;
  width: 110px;
  transition: width 0.3s ease, border-color 0.3s ease;
  color: #1a1a18;
}

/* 4. Focus effect to expand the search input */
.header-search-input:focus {
  outline: none;
  width: 170px;
  border-bottom-color: #5c5a54;
}

/* ── MINIMALIST HEADER SEARCH TOGGLE ── */

/* 1. Header & Nav structural adjustments */
.site-header nav {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 28px; /* Gap between CONTACT link and Search Icon */
}

/* 2. Search form wrapper */
.header-search {
  position: relative;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
}

.header-search-form {
  position: absolute;
  right: 100%; /* Slides out to the left of the search icon */
  top: 50%;
  transform: translateY(-50%);
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  z-index: 9;
}

/* 3. Input starts as hidden overlaying adjacent links */
.header-search-input {
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 13px;
  border: none;
  border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;
  background: #FAF8F5; /* Matches header background to overlay text cleanly */
  padding: 4px 0;
  width: 0;
  opacity: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
  transition: width 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1), opacity 0.2s ease, padding 0.3s ease;
  color: #1a1a18;
}

/* 4. Active state when search is toggled open */
.header-search.active .header-search-input {
  width: 170px;
  opacity: 1;
  padding: 4px 8px;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #5c5a54;
  pointer-events: auto;
}

.header-search-input:focus {
  outline: none;
}

/* 5. Minimalist Toggle button styles */
.header-search-toggle {
  background: none;
  border: none;
  cursor: pointer;
  padding: 6px;
  color: #5c5a54;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  transition: color 0.2s ease;
  z-index: 10;
}

.header-search-toggle:hover {
  color: #1a1a18;
}

/* 6. Icon toggling behavior (Search vs Close) */
.header-search.active .header-search-toggle .search-icon {
  display: none;
}

.header-search.active .header-search-toggle .close-icon {
  display: block !important;
  color: #1a1a18;
}

/* 7. Responsive alignment for Mobile View */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .site-header {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: center;
  }
  
  .site-header nav {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    order: 1; /* Places nav items correctly */
  }
  
.site-header nav {
  order: 1;
  margin-left: auto;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
}

.nav-toggle {
  display: flex;
  order: 2;
  margin-left: 16px;
}

  
  .header-search-input {
    background: #FAF8F5; /* Keeps solid overlay on mobile */
  }
}
/* ── SEARCH OVERLAY (Black Theme) ── */
.search-overlay {
  position: fixed;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100vw;
  height: 100vh;
  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.98);
  backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
  z-index: 9999;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  opacity: 0;
  visibility: hidden;
  pointer-events: none;
  transition: opacity 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.25, 1, 0.5, 1), visibility 0.3s;
}

.search-overlay.active {
  opacity: 1;
  visibility: visible;
  pointer-events: auto;
}

.search-overlay-close {
  position: absolute;
  top: 32px;
  right: 40px;
  background: none;
  border: none;
  color: #FAF8F5;
  cursor: pointer;
  opacity: 0.6;
  padding: 8px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  transition: opacity 0.25s ease, transform 0.25s ease;
}

.search-overlay-close:hover {
  opacity: 1;
  transform: rotate(90deg);
}

.search-overlay-content {
  width: 100%;
  max-width: 720px;
  padding: 0 40px;
  text-align: center;
  transform: translateY(30px);
  transition: transform 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.25, 1, 0.5, 1);
}

.search-overlay.active .search-overlay-content {
  transform: translateY(0);
}

.search-overlay-form {
  position: relative;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  border-bottom: 2px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25);
  padding-bottom: 12px;
  transition: border-color 0.3s ease;
}

.search-overlay-form:focus-within {
  border-color: #FAF8F5;
}

.search-overlay-input {
  width: 100%;
  background: none;
  border: none;
  color: #FAF8F5;
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 32px;
  font-weight: 400;
  padding-right: 40px;
  outline: none;
}

.search-overlay-input::placeholder {
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-style: italic;
}

/* Clear default search X on webkit browsers */
.search-overlay-input::-webkit-search-decoration,
.search-overlay-input::-webkit-search-cancel-button,
.search-overlay-input::-webkit-search-results-button,
.search-overlay-input::-webkit-search-results-decoration {
  display: none;
}

.search-overlay-submit {
  position: absolute;
  right: 0;
  background: none;
  border: none;
  color: #FAF8F5;
  cursor: pointer;
  opacity: 0.6;
  padding: 4px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  transition: opacity 0.25s, transform 0.25s;
}

.search-overlay-submit:hover {
  opacity: 1;
  transform: scale(1.15);
}

.search-overlay-tip {
  margin-top: 20px;
  font-size: 11px;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
  font-weight: 500;
}

/* Adjustments to align search icon next to the menu in the header */
nav {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 32px;
}

.header-search-toggle {
  background: none;
  border: none;
  color: #5c5a54;
  cursor: pointer;
  padding: 4px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  transition: color 0.2s, transform 0.2s;
}

.header-search-toggle:hover {
  color: #1a1a18;
  transform: scale(1.1);
}

/* Mobile Responsive adjustments */
@media (max-width: 767px) {
  nav {
    gap: 16px;
  }
  .search-overlay-close {
    top: 24px;
    right: 24px;
  }
  .search-overlay-input {
    font-size: 24px;
  }
  .search-overlay-content {
    padding: 0 24px;
  }
}

/* ── READER RESPONSES (Comments Section) ── */
.correspondence-section {
  margin-top: 56px;
  max-width: 720px;
  margin-left: auto;
  margin-right: auto;
  padding: 0 20px;
}

.correspondence-section .section-title {
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 500;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  color: #5c5a54;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.correspondence-section .editorial-note {
  font-family: 'Source Serif 4', serif;
  font-style: italic;
  font-size: 15px;
  color: #706e68;
  margin-bottom: 32px;
}

/* Response Form */
.comment-respond {
  margin-bottom: 48px;
}

.textarea-wrapper {
  position: relative;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  transition: border-color 0.3s ease;
  margin-bottom: 16px;
}

.textarea-wrapper:focus-within {
  border-color: #1a1a18;
}

.response-textarea {
  width: 100%;
  height: 48px;
  background: none;
  border: none;
  outline: none;
  font-family: 'Source Serif 4', serif;
  font-size: 16px;
  resize: none;
  padding: 12px 0;
  color: #1a1a18;
  transition: height 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
}

.response-textarea::placeholder {
  font-style: italic;
  color: #706e68;
}

/* Progressive Disclosure Drawer */
.form-drawer {
  max-height: 0;
  overflow: hidden;
  opacity: 0;
  transition: max-height 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), opacity 0.3s ease;
}

.comment-respond.active .form-drawer {
  max-height: 600px;
  opacity: 1;
}

.input-field-group {
  margin-bottom: 20px;
}

.input-label {
  display: block;
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
  color: #706e68;
  margin-bottom: 4px;
}

.email-label {
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  justify-content: flex-start;
  gap: 4px;
  text-align: left;
}

.label-title {
  font-weight: 500;
}

.label-desc-group {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: flex-start;
  text-align: left;
}

.label-desc-line {
  font-weight: 400;
  color: #706e68;
}



.input-text {
  width: 100%;
  height: 40px;
  background: none;
  border: none;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  outline: none;
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 14px;
  padding: 8px 0;
  color: #1a1a18;
  transition: border-color 0.3s ease;
}

.input-text:focus {
  border-color: #1a1a18;
}

.checkbox-group {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 12px;
  margin: 24px 0;
}

.checkbox-label {
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  gap: 10px;
  font-size: 13px;
  color: #706e68;
  cursor: pointer;
  line-height: 1.4;
}

.checkbox-label input {
  margin-top: 3px;
  accent-color: #1a1a18;
}

.comment-respond .button-container {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: flex-end;
  max-height: 0;
  overflow: hidden;
  opacity: 0;
  margin-top: 0;
  transition: max-height 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), opacity 0.3s ease, margin-top 0.4s;
}

.comment-respond.active .button-container {
  max-height: 100px;
  opacity: 1;
  margin-top: 24px;
}

.submit-button {
  background: none;
  border: 1px solid #1a1a18;
  color: #1a1a18;
  padding: 10px 24px;
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 13px;
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: background-color 0.2s, color 0.2s;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 1px;
  font-weight: 500;
}

.submit-button:hover {
  background-color: #1a1a18;
  color: #FAF8F5;
}

/* Letters/Comments Loop */
.letters-list {
  list-style: none;
  margin: 48px 0;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 48px;
}

.letter-item {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
}

.letter-meta {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 14px;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.letter-author {
  font-weight: 500;
  color: #1a1a18;
}

.letter-author.post-author-tag::after {
  content: 'Author';
  font-size: 10px;
  font-weight: 500;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
  background-color: #eae7e2;
  color: #5c5a54;
  padding: 2px 6px;
  margin-left: 8px;
  border-radius: 2px;
}

.letter-date {
  font-size: 12px;
  color: #706e68;
  margin-left: 12px;
}

.letter-moderation {
  font-family: 'Source Serif 4', serif;
  font-style: italic;
  font-size: 14px;
  color: #706e68;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.letter-content {
  font-family: 'Source Serif 4', serif;
  font-size: 16px;
  color: #3a3834;
  line-height: 1.7;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.letter-reply a {
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
  font-size: 12px;
  color: #5c5a54;
  text-decoration: underline;
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: color 0.2s;
  font-weight: 500;
}

.letter-reply a:hover {
  color: #1a1a18;
}

/* Threading & Replies */
.letters-list .children {
  list-style: none;
  margin-top: 24px;
  padding-left: 28px;
  border-left: 1px solid #e0ddd8;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 32px;
}

/* Comment Pagination */
.comment-navigation {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  margin-bottom: 32px;
  font-size: 13px;
  font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
}

.comment-navigation a {
  text-decoration: underline;
  color: #5c5a54;
}

.comment-navigation a:hover {
  color: #1a1a18;
}

/* Responsive Styles */
@media (max-width: 767px) {
  nav {
    gap: 16px;
  }
  
  .submit-button {
    width: 100%;
    text-align: center;
  }
  
  .letters-list .children {
    padding-left: 16px;
  }
}