/* ─── Blog-specific custom properties ─── */
:root {
  --cat-ai-bg: #dbeafe;
  --cat-ai-text: #1d4ed8;
  --cat-cloud-bg: #dcfce7;
  --cat-cloud-text: #15803d;
  --cat-security-bg: #fce7f3;
  --cat-security-text: #9d174d;
  --cat-data-bg: #fef9c3;
  --cat-data-text: #a16207;
  --cat-devops-bg: #ffedd5;
  --cat-devops-text: #c2410c;
  --cat-transform-bg: #ede9fe;
  --cat-transform-text: #6d28d9;
}

img {
        max-width: 100%;
        display: block;
      }

a {
        text-decoration: none;
      }

ul,
      ol {
        list-style: none;
      }

button {
        font-family: "Plus Jakarta Sans", sans-serif;
        cursor: pointer;
      }

/* Gradient text helper (matches .grad on homepage) */
      .grad {
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--primary), var(--accent));
        -webkit-background-clip: text;
        -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
        background-clip: text;
      }

@keyframes fadeInDown {
        from {
          opacity: 0;
          transform: translateY(-16px);
        }

        to {
          opacity: 1;
          transform: translateY(0);
        }
      }

@keyframes shimmer {
        0% {
          background-position: -200% center;
        }

        100% {
          background-position: 200% center;
        }
      }

@keyframes spinSlow {
        from {
          transform: rotate(0deg);
        }

        to {
          transform: rotate(360deg);
        }
      }

.logo-icon {
        width: 38px;
        height: 38px;
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--primary), var(--secondary));
        border-radius: 10px;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        font-family: "Manrope", sans-serif;
        font-weight: 800;
        color: #fff;
        font-size: 15px;
        letter-spacing: -0.5px;
        box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.3);
        flex-shrink: 0;
      }

.nav-links a:hover,
      .nav-links a.nav-link-active {
        color: var(--primary);
        background: var(--bg3);
      }

.btn-ghost {
        font-size: 14px;
        font-weight: 600;
        color: var(--primary);
        background: none;
        border: 1.5px solid var(--primary);
        cursor: pointer;
        padding: 9px 18px;
        border-radius: 9px;
        transition: all 0.2s;
        font-family: "Plus Jakarta Sans", sans-serif;
      }

.btn-ghost:hover {
        background: var(--bg3);
      }

.btn-primary {
        font-size: 14px;
        font-weight: 600;
        color: #fff;
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--primary), var(--accent));
        border: none;
        cursor: pointer;
        padding: 10px 22px;
        border-radius: 9px;
        box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.35);
        transition: all 0.25s;
        font-family: "Plus Jakarta Sans", sans-serif;
      }

.btn-primary:hover {
        transform: translateY(-1px);
        box-shadow: 0 6px 20px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.45);
      }

/* Shared primary CTA button (hero-sized, used in featured post + sidebar) */
      .btn-hero-primary {
        display: inline-flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 9px;
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--primary), var(--accent));
        color: #fff;
        font-weight: 700;
        font-size: 15px;
        padding: 14px 28px;
        border-radius: 12px;
        border: none;
        cursor: pointer;
        text-decoration: none;
        box-shadow: 0 6px 24px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.38);
        transition: all 0.25s;
        font-family: "Plus Jakarta Sans", sans-serif;
        white-space: nowrap;
      }

.badge-dot {
        width: 7px;
        height: 7px;
        background: var(--secondary);
        border-radius: 50%;
        animation: pulse 2s infinite;
        flex-shrink: 0;
      }

/* ─────────────────────────────────────────────
   7. BLOG HERO SECTION
───────────────────────────────────────────── */
      #blog-hero {
        min-height: 72vh;
        padding-top: 72px;
        background: linear-gradient(160deg,
            #ffffff 0%,
            #eef6ff 45%,
            #f0f9ff 100%);
        position: relative;
        overflow: hidden;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
      }

.blog-hero-inner {
        max-width: 1280px;
        margin: 0 auto;
        padding: 80px 5% 70px;
        position: relative;
        z-index: 2;
        text-align: center;
        width: 100%;
      }

/* Title */
      .blog-hero-title {
        font-family: "Manrope", sans-serif;
        font-size: clamp(36px, 5vw, 64px);
        font-weight: 800;
        line-height: 1.1;
        letter-spacing: -2px;
        color: var(--text);
        margin-bottom: 20px;
        animation: fadeInUp 0.7s ease 0.1s both;
      }

/* Subtitle */
      .blog-hero-sub {
        font-size: clamp(15px, 1.8vw, 18px);
        color: var(--muted);
        line-height: 1.7;
        max-width: 620px;
        margin: 0 auto 40px;
        animation: fadeInUp 0.7s ease 0.2s both;
      }

/* ── Search Bar ── */
      .blog-search-wrap {
        margin-bottom: 28px;
        animation: fadeInUp 0.7s ease 0.3s both;
      }

.blog-search-bar {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 0;
        background: #fff;
        border: 1.5px solid var(--border);
        border-radius: 14px;
        padding: 6px 6px 6px 18px;
        max-width: 600px;
        margin: 0 auto;
        box-shadow: var(--shadow);
        transition:
          border-color 0.2s,
          box-shadow 0.2s;
      }

.blog-search-bar:focus-within {
        border-color: var(--primary);
        box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.1);
      }

.search-icon {
        color: var(--muted);
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        flex-shrink: 0;
        margin-right: 10px;
      }

.blog-search-input {
        flex: 1;
        border: none;
        outline: none;
        font-family: "Plus Jakarta Sans", sans-serif;
        font-size: 14.5px;
        color: var(--text);
        background: transparent;
        min-width: 0;
      }

.blog-search-input::placeholder {
        color: #94a3b8;
      }

.blog-search-btn {
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--primary), var(--accent));
        color: #fff;
        border: none;
        border-radius: 10px;
        padding: 10px 22px;
        font-family: "Plus Jakarta Sans", sans-serif;
        font-size: 13.5px;
        font-weight: 700;
        cursor: pointer;
        transition: all 0.2s;
        white-space: nowrap;
        flex-shrink: 0;
      }

.blog-search-btn:hover {
        transform: translateY(-1px);
        box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.35);
      }

/* ── Category Filter Pills ── */
      .blog-category-filters {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        gap: 8px;
        flex-wrap: wrap;
        margin-bottom: 48px;
        animation: fadeInUp 0.7s ease 0.35s both;
      }

.category-pill {
        display: inline-flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 5px;
        padding: 8px 18px;
        border-radius: 50px;
        font-size: 13px;
        font-weight: 600;
        background: #fff;
        border: 1.5px solid var(--border);
        color: var(--muted);
        cursor: pointer;
        transition: all 0.2s;
        font-family: "Plus Jakarta Sans", sans-serif;
        white-space: nowrap;
      }

.category-pill:hover {
        border-color: var(--primary);
        color: var(--primary);
        background: var(--bg3);
      }

.category-pill.active {
        background: var(--primary);
        border-color: var(--primary);
        color: #fff;
        box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.3);
      }

/* ── Hero Stats Strip ── */
      .blog-hero-stats {
        display: inline-flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 0;
        background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
        border: 1px solid var(--border);
        border-radius: 16px;
        padding: 18px 36px;
        backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
        box-shadow: var(--shadow);
        animation: fadeInUp 0.7s ease 0.45s both;
      }

.blog-hero-stat {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 4px;
        padding: 0 32px;
      }

.blog-hero-stat-num {
        font-family: "Manrope", sans-serif;
        font-size: 26px;
        font-weight: 800;
        color: var(--primary);
        letter-spacing: -0.5px;
        line-height: 1;
      }

.blog-hero-stat-label {
        font-size: 11.5px;
        font-weight: 600;
        color: var(--muted);
        white-space: nowrap;
      }

.blog-hero-stat-divider {
        width: 1px;
        height: 36px;
        background: var(--border);
        flex-shrink: 0;
      }

/* ─────────────────────────────────────────────
   8. FEATURED POST SECTION
───────────────────────────────────────────── */
      #featured-post {
        background: var(--bg);
        padding: 80px 5%;
      }

.featured-post-card {
        display: grid;
        grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
        gap: 0;
        background: #fff;
        border: 1px solid var(--border);
        border-radius: 24px;
        overflow: hidden;
        box-shadow: var(--shadow-lg);
        transition:
          transform 0.3s,
          box-shadow 0.3s;
      }

.featured-post-card:hover {
        transform: translateY(-4px);
        box-shadow: 0 16px 64px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.16);
      }

/* Image side */
      .featured-post-image {
        position: relative;
        min-height: 440px;
        overflow: hidden;
      }

.featured-post-image-bg {
        position: absolute;
        inset: 0;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
      }

.featured-img-ai {
        background: linear-gradient(135deg,
            #dbeafe 0%,
            #e0f2fe 50%,
            #bae6fd 100%);
      }

.featured-post-emoji {
        font-size: 96px;
        position: relative;
        z-index: 2;
        filter: drop-shadow(0 8px 24px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.2));
        animation: floatCard 6s ease-in-out infinite;
      }

/* Decorative geometric shapes behind emoji */
      .featured-img-deco {
        position: absolute;
        border-radius: 50%;
        background: rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.08);
        z-index: 1;
      }

.featured-img-deco-1 {
        width: 300px;
        height: 300px;
        top: 50%;
        left: 50%;
        transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
        border: 2px solid rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.12);
        background: transparent;
        animation: spinSlow 40s linear infinite;
      }

.featured-img-deco-2 {
        width: 200px;
        height: 200px;
        top: 50%;
        left: 50%;
        transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
        background: rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.06);
      }

.featured-img-deco-3 {
        width: 100px;
        height: 100px;
        bottom: 30px;
        right: 30px;
        background: rgba(56, 189, 248, 0.18);
      }

/* "NEW" badge overlay */
      .featured-post-new-badge {
        position: absolute;
        top: 20px;
        left: 20px;
        z-index: 10;
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--primary), var(--accent));
        color: #fff;
        font-size: 10.5px;
        font-weight: 800;
        letter-spacing: 1.2px;
        padding: 5px 12px;
        border-radius: 50px;
        box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.35);
      }

/* Content side */
      .featured-post-content {
        padding: 48px 44px;
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        justify-content: center;
        gap: 0;
      }

.featured-post-meta-top {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 12px;
        flex-wrap: wrap;
        margin-bottom: 18px;
      }

.featured-post-read-time,
      .featured-post-date {
        display: inline-flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 5px;
        font-size: 12.5px;
        font-weight: 600;
        color: var(--muted);
      }

.featured-post-title {
        font-family: "Manrope", sans-serif;
        font-size: clamp(20px, 2.2vw, 28px);
        font-weight: 800;
        color: var(--text);
        line-height: 1.3;
        letter-spacing: -0.5px;
        margin-bottom: 18px;
      }

.featured-post-excerpt {
        font-size: 15px;
        color: var(--muted);
        line-height: 1.75;
        margin-bottom: 22px;
      }

/* Tags row */
      .featured-post-tags {
        display: flex;
        flex-wrap: wrap;
        gap: 8px;
        margin-bottom: 32px;
      }

.featured-post-tag {
        font-size: 12px;
        font-weight: 600;
        color: var(--muted);
        background: var(--bg2);
        border: 1px solid var(--border);
        padding: 4px 12px;
        border-radius: 50px;
        transition: all 0.2s;
      }

.featured-post-tag:hover {
        border-color: var(--primary);
        color: var(--primary);
        background: var(--bg3);
      }

/* Author + CTA row */
      .featured-post-footer {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: space-between;
        gap: 16px;
        flex-wrap: wrap;
        border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
        padding-top: 24px;
        margin-top: auto;
      }

.featured-post-author {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 12px;
      }

.author-avatar {
        width: 44px;
        height: 44px;
        border-radius: 50%;
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--primary), var(--secondary));
        color: #fff;
        font-weight: 800;
        font-size: 14px;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        flex-shrink: 0;
      }

.author-name {
        font-weight: 700;
        font-size: 14px;
        color: var(--text);
      }

.author-title {
        font-size: 12px;
        color: var(--muted);
        margin-top: 2px;
      }

.featured-post-cta {
        font-size: 14px;
        padding: 12px 24px;
      }

/* ─────────────────────────────────────────────
   9. CATEGORY COLOUR SYSTEM
      Shared across featured post, grid cards,
      and sidebar.
───────────────────────────────────────────── */
      .blog-cat-tag {
        display: inline-block;
        font-size: 11px;
        font-weight: 700;
        text-transform: uppercase;
        letter-spacing: 0.5px;
        padding: 4px 11px;
        border-radius: 50px;
      }

/* Applied as modifier classes */
      .cat-ai {
        background: var(--cat-ai-bg);
        color: var(--cat-ai-text);
      }

.cat-cloud {
        background: var(--cat-cloud-bg);
        color: var(--cat-cloud-text);
      }

.cat-security {
        background: var(--cat-security-bg);
        color: var(--cat-security-text);
      }

.cat-data {
        background: var(--cat-data-bg);
        color: var(--cat-data-text);
      }

.cat-devops {
        background: var(--cat-devops-bg);
        color: var(--cat-devops-text);
      }

.cat-transform {
        background: var(--cat-transform-bg);
        color: var(--cat-transform-text);
      }

/* ─────────────────────────────────────────────
   10. BLOG MAIN LAYOUT (grid + sidebar)
───────────────────────────────────────────── */
      #blog-main {
        background: var(--bg2);
        padding: 80px 5% 100px;
      }

/* Two-column layout: articles | sidebar */
      .blog-layout {
        display: grid;
        grid-template-columns: 1fr 340px;
        gap: 48px;
        align-items: start;
      }

/* ── Grid sub-header ── */
      .blog-grid-header {
        display: flex;
        align-items: flex-end;
        justify-content: space-between;
        margin-bottom: 32px;
        gap: 16px;
        flex-wrap: wrap;
      }

.blog-grid-title {
        font-family: "Manrope", sans-serif;
        font-size: 22px;
        font-weight: 800;
        color: var(--text);
        letter-spacing: -0.4px;
      }

.blog-grid-count {
        font-size: 13.5px;
        color: var(--muted);
        margin-top: 4px;
      }

.blog-grid-sort {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 10px;
      }

.blog-sort-label {
        font-size: 13px;
        font-weight: 600;
        color: var(--muted);
        white-space: nowrap;
      }

.blog-sort-select {
        font-family: "Plus Jakarta Sans", sans-serif;
        font-size: 13px;
        font-weight: 600;
        color: var(--text);
        background: #fff;
        border: 1.5px solid var(--border);
        border-radius: 9px;
        padding: 8px 14px;
        outline: none;
        cursor: pointer;
        transition: border-color 0.2s;
      }

.blog-sort-select:focus {
        border-color: var(--primary);
      }

/* ─────────────────────────────────────────────
   11. BLOG ARTICLE CARDS  (grid)
───────────────────────────────────────────── */
      .blog-grid {
        display: grid;
        grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
        gap: 22px;
        margin-bottom: 56px;
      }

.blog-card {
        background: #fff;
        border-radius: 20px;
        overflow: hidden;
        border: 1px solid var(--border);
        box-shadow: var(--shadow);
        transition:
          transform 0.3s,
          box-shadow 0.3s,
          border-color 0.3s;
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
      }

.blog-card:hover {
        transform: translateY(-5px);
        box-shadow: var(--shadow-lg);
        border-color: rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.15);
      }

/* Card image/thumb area */
      .blog-card-image {
        position: relative;
        flex-shrink: 0;
      }

.blog-thumb {
        height: 168px;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        font-size: 48px;
        position: relative;
        overflow: hidden;
      }

/* Thumb gradient variants (5 colours cycling via modifier classes) */
      .blog-thumb-ai {
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, #dbeafe, #e0f2fe);
      }

.blog-thumb-cloud {
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, #dcfce7, #d1fae5);
      }

.blog-thumb-security {
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fdf4ff, #fce7f3);
      }

.blog-thumb-data {
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fefce8, #fef9c3);
      }

.blog-thumb-devops {
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fff7ed, #ffedd5);
      }

.blog-thumb-transform {
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f5f3ff, #ede9fe);
      }

.blog-thumb-icon {
        position: relative;
        z-index: 1;
        filter: drop-shadow(0 4px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1));
        transition: transform 0.3s;
      }

.blog-card:hover .blog-thumb-icon {
        transform: scale(1.12) rotate(-4deg);
      }

/* Category badge floating over image */
      .blog-card-cat-badge {
        position: absolute;
        top: 12px;
        left: 14px;
        font-size: 10.5px;
        font-weight: 700;
        letter-spacing: 0.4px;
        padding: 4px 10px;
        border-radius: 50px;
        backdrop-filter: blur(8px);
      }

/* Card body */
      .blog-body {
        padding: 22px 22px 20px;
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        flex: 1;
      }

/* Category label inside body */
      .blog-cat {
        font-size: 11px;
        font-weight: 700;
        text-transform: uppercase;
        letter-spacing: 0.5px;
        margin-bottom: 10px;
        /* colour comes from .cat-* modifier */
      }

/* Title */
      .blog-title {
        font-family: "Manrope", sans-serif;
        font-weight: 700;
        font-size: 15.5px;
        color: var(--text);
        line-height: 1.45;
        margin-bottom: 10px;
        transition: color 0.2s;
        flex: 1;
      }

.blog-card:hover .blog-title {
        color: var(--primary);
      }

/* Excerpt */
      .blog-excerpt {
        font-size: 13px;
        color: var(--muted);
        line-height: 1.65;
        margin-bottom: 14px;
        display: -webkit-box;
        -webkit-line-clamp: 3;
        -webkit-box-orient: vertical;
        overflow: hidden;
      }

/* Inline tags */
      .blog-card-tags {
        display: flex;
        flex-wrap: wrap;
        gap: 6px;
        margin-bottom: 16px;
      }

.blog-tag {
        font-size: 11px;
        font-weight: 600;
        color: var(--muted);
        background: var(--bg2);
        border: 1px solid var(--border);
        padding: 3px 9px;
        border-radius: 50px;
        transition: all 0.2s;
      }

.blog-card:hover .blog-tag {
        border-color: rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.2);
        color: var(--primary);
        background: var(--bg3);
      }

/* Meta row: author + read more */
      .blog-meta {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: space-between;
        gap: 8px;
        border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
        padding-top: 14px;
        margin-top: auto;
      }

.blog-meta-left {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 9px;
        min-width: 0;
      }

.blog-author-avatar {
        width: 30px;
        height: 30px;
        border-radius: 50%;
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--primary), var(--secondary));
        color: #fff;
        font-weight: 800;
        font-size: 10.5px;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        flex-shrink: 0;
      }

.blog-meta-info {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        gap: 1px;
        min-width: 0;
      }

.blog-author-name {
        font-size: 12.5px;
        font-weight: 700;
        color: var(--text);
        white-space: nowrap;
        overflow: hidden;
        text-overflow: ellipsis;
      }

.blog-meta-detail {
        font-size: 11px;
        color: var(--muted);
        white-space: nowrap;
      }

/* Read more link */
      .blog-read {
        display: inline-flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 5px;
        font-size: 12.5px;
        font-weight: 700;
        color: var(--primary);
        text-decoration: none;
        white-space: nowrap;
        transition: gap 0.2s;
        flex-shrink: 0;
      }

/* ─────────────────────────────────────────────
   12. PAGINATION
───────────────────────────────────────────── */
      .pagination-wrap {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 16px;
      }

.pagination {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 6px;
      }

.page-btn {
        display: inline-flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 6px;
        height: 40px;
        padding: 0 14px;
        border-radius: 10px;
        font-family: "Plus Jakarta Sans", sans-serif;
        font-size: 13.5px;
        font-weight: 600;
        color: var(--muted);
        background: #fff;
        border: 1.5px solid var(--border);
        cursor: pointer;
        text-decoration: none;
        transition: all 0.2s;
      }

.page-btn:hover {
        border-color: var(--primary);
        color: var(--primary);
        background: var(--bg3);
      }

.page-num {
        min-width: 40px;
        justify-content: center;
        padding: 0 10px;
      }

.page-num.active {
        background: var(--primary);
        border-color: var(--primary);
        color: #fff;
        box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.3);
      }

.page-btn-nav {
        font-size: 13px;
      }

.page-btn-nav[aria-disabled="true"] {
        opacity: 0.4;
        pointer-events: none;
      }

.page-ellipsis {
        display: inline-flex;
        align-items: center;
        padding: 0 6px;
        font-size: 14px;
        color: var(--muted);
        font-weight: 600;
        letter-spacing: 2px;
        height: 40px;
      }

.pagination-count {
        font-size: 13px;
        color: var(--muted);
        font-weight: 500;
      }

.pagination-count strong {
        color: var(--text);
        font-weight: 700;
      }

/* ─────────────────────────────────────────────
   13. SIDEBAR
───────────────────────────────────────────── */
      .blog-sidebar {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        gap: 24px;
        position: sticky;
        top: 92px;
      }

/* Base widget card */
      .sidebar-widget {
        background: #fff;
        border: 1px solid var(--border);
        border-radius: 20px;
        padding: 24px;
        box-shadow: var(--shadow);
      }

.sidebar-widget-title {
        font-family: "Manrope", sans-serif;
        font-size: 15px;
        font-weight: 800;
        color: var(--text);
        margin-bottom: 18px;
        letter-spacing: -0.2px;
      }

/* ── Widget: Search ── */
      .sidebar-search-bar {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        background: var(--bg2);
        border: 1.5px solid var(--border);
        border-radius: 10px;
        overflow: hidden;
        transition:
          border-color 0.2s,
          box-shadow 0.2s;
      }

.sidebar-search-bar:focus-within {
        border-color: var(--primary);
        box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.08);
      }

.sidebar-search-input {
        flex: 1;
        border: none;
        outline: none;
        font-family: "Plus Jakarta Sans", sans-serif;
        font-size: 13.5px;
        color: var(--text);
        background: transparent;
        padding: 10px 14px;
      }

.sidebar-search-input::placeholder {
        color: #94a3b8;
      }

.sidebar-search-btn {
        width: 42px;
        height: 42px;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        background: var(--primary);
        border: none;
        color: #fff;
        cursor: pointer;
        transition: background 0.2s;
        flex-shrink: 0;
      }

.sidebar-search-btn:hover {
        background: #1d4ed8;
      }

/* ── Widget: Categories ── */
      .sidebar-categories {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        gap: 4px;
      }

.sidebar-cat-item {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: space-between;
        border-radius: 10px;
        padding: 2px 0;
        transition: background 0.2s;
      }

.sidebar-cat-item:hover {
        background: var(--bg3);
        padding: 2px 8px;
        margin: 0 -8px;
      }

.sidebar-cat-link {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 10px;
        text-decoration: none;
        flex: 1;
        padding: 8px 0;
      }

.sidebar-cat-icon {
        font-size: 15px;
        flex-shrink: 0;
        width: 20px;
        text-align: center;
      }

.sidebar-cat-name {
        font-size: 13.5px;
        font-weight: 600;
        color: var(--text);
        transition: color 0.2s;
      }

.sidebar-cat-item:hover .sidebar-cat-name {
        color: var(--primary);
      }

.sidebar-cat-count {
        font-size: 11.5px;
        font-weight: 700;
        color: var(--muted);
        background: var(--bg2);
        border: 1px solid var(--border);
        padding: 2px 8px;
        border-radius: 50px;
        flex-shrink: 0;
        transition: all 0.2s;
      }

.sidebar-cat-item:hover .sidebar-cat-count {
        background: var(--bg3);
        border-color: rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.2);
        color: var(--primary);
      }

/* ── Widget: Popular Posts ── */
      .sidebar-popular-list {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        gap: 16px;
      }

.sidebar-popular-item {
        display: flex;
        align-items: flex-start;
        gap: 12px;
      }

.sidebar-popular-num {
        font-family: "Manrope", sans-serif;
        font-size: 20px;
        font-weight: 800;
        color: var(--border);
        line-height: 1.1;
        flex-shrink: 0;
        width: 28px;
        transition: color 0.2s;
      }

.sidebar-popular-item:hover .sidebar-popular-num {
        color: var(--primary);
      }

.sidebar-popular-content {
        flex: 1;
        min-width: 0;
      }

.sidebar-popular-title {
        font-size: 13.5px;
        font-weight: 700;
        color: var(--text);
        line-height: 1.45;
        text-decoration: none;
        display: block;
        margin-bottom: 4px;
        transition: color 0.2s;
      }

.sidebar-popular-title:hover {
        color: var(--primary);
      }

.sidebar-popular-meta {
        font-size: 11.5px;
        color: var(--muted);
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 5px;
      }

.sidebar-popular-sep {
        color: var(--border);
      }

/* ── Widget: Newsletter ── */
      .sidebar-newsletter {
        background: linear-gradient(145deg,
            var(--bg3),
            rgba(56, 189, 248, 0.07));
        border-color: rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.15);
        text-align: center;
      }

.sidebar-newsletter-icon {
        font-size: 32px;
        margin-bottom: 12px;
      }

.sidebar-newsletter .sidebar-widget-title {
        margin-bottom: 8px;
      }

.sidebar-newsletter-sub {
        font-size: 13px;
        color: var(--muted);
        line-height: 1.6;
        margin-bottom: 18px;
      }

.sidebar-newsletter-form {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        gap: 10px;
      }

.sidebar-newsletter-input {
        width: 100%;
        border: 1.5px solid var(--border);
        border-radius: 9px;
        padding: 10px 14px;
        font-family: "Plus Jakarta Sans", sans-serif;
        font-size: 13.5px;
        color: var(--text);
        background: #fff;
        outline: none;
        transition:
          border-color 0.2s,
          box-shadow 0.2s;
      }

.sidebar-newsletter-input:focus {
        border-color: var(--primary);
        box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.08);
      }

.sidebar-newsletter-input::placeholder {
        color: #94a3b8;
      }

.sidebar-newsletter-btn {
        width: 100%;
        justify-content: center;
        border-radius: 9px;
        padding: 11px 20px;
        font-size: 14px;
      }

.sidebar-newsletter-note {
        font-size: 11.5px;
        color: var(--muted);
        margin-top: 4px;
      }

/* ── Widget: CTA Card ── */
      .sidebar-cta-card {
        background: linear-gradient(135deg,
            var(--primary) 0%,
            #1d4ed8 40%,
            var(--accent) 100%);
        border: none;
        position: relative;
        overflow: hidden;
      }

.sidebar-cta-card::before {
        content: "";
        position: absolute;
        inset: 0;
        background: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg width='40' height='40' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%3E%3Ccircle cx='20' cy='20' r='1' fill='rgba(255,255,255,0.08)'/%3E%3C/svg%3E") repeat;
      }

.sidebar-cta-card>* {
        position: relative;
        z-index: 1;
      }

.sidebar-cta-badge {
        display: inline-flex;
        font-size: 11px;
        font-weight: 700;
        letter-spacing: 0.4px;
        color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
        background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15);
        border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
        padding: 4px 12px;
        border-radius: 50px;
        margin-bottom: 14px;
      }

.sidebar-cta-title {
        font-family: "Manrope", sans-serif;
        font-size: 18px;
        font-weight: 800;
        color: #fff;
        margin-bottom: 10px;
        letter-spacing: -0.3px;
      }

.sidebar-cta-desc {
        font-size: 13px;
        color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);
        line-height: 1.6;
        margin-bottom: 18px;
      }

.sidebar-cta-bullets {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        gap: 8px;
        margin-bottom: 22px;
      }

.sidebar-cta-bullets li {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 8px;
        font-size: 13px;
        color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
        font-weight: 600;
      }

.sidebar-cta-check {
        width: 18px;
        height: 18px;
        border-radius: 50%;
        background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        font-size: 10px;
        flex-shrink: 0;
      }

.sidebar-cta-btn {
        width: 100%;
        justify-content: center;
        background: #fff;
        color: var(--primary);
        box-shadow: 0 6px 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
        font-size: 13.5px;
        padding: 12px 20px;
      }

.sidebar-cta-btn:hover {
        background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.92);
        box-shadow: 0 10px 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25);
      }

/* ─────────────────────────────────────────────
   14. NEWSLETTER SECTION
───────────────────────────────────────────── */
      #blog-newsletter {
        background: #fff;
        padding: 80px 5%;
      }

.newsletter-card {
        background: linear-gradient(160deg,
            #ffffff 0%,
            #eef6ff 50%,
            #f0f9ff 100%);
        border: 1px solid rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.12);
        border-radius: 28px;
        padding: 72px 64px;
        position: relative;
        overflow: hidden;
        box-shadow: var(--shadow-lg);
      }

/* Background decorations */
      .newsletter-bg-deco {
        position: absolute;
        inset: 0;
        pointer-events: none;
        overflow: hidden;
      }

.newsletter-blob {
        position: absolute;
        border-radius: 50%;
        filter: blur(80px);
        opacity: 0.12;
      }

.newsletter-blob-1 {
        width: 500px;
        height: 500px;
        background: var(--primary);
        top: -200px;
        right: -100px;
      }

.newsletter-blob-2 {
        width: 300px;
        height: 300px;
        background: var(--secondary);
        bottom: -100px;
        left: -50px;
      }

.newsletter-grid-bg {
        position: absolute;
        inset: 0;
        background-image:
          linear-gradient(rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.03) 1px, transparent 1px),
          linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.03) 1px, transparent 1px);
        background-size: 40px 40px;
      }

/* Two-column layout */
      .newsletter-content {
        display: grid;
        grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
        gap: 64px;
        align-items: center;
        position: relative;
        z-index: 2;
      }

/* Left: copy */
      .newsletter-badge {
        text-transform: none;
        font-size: 12px;
      }

.newsletter-title {
        font-family: "Manrope", sans-serif;
        font-size: clamp(26px, 3vw, 40px);
        font-weight: 800;
        color: var(--text);
        line-height: 1.2;
        letter-spacing: -1px;
        margin-bottom: 18px;
      }

.newsletter-sub {
        font-size: 15.5px;
        color: var(--muted);
        line-height: 1.7;
        max-width: 480px;
        margin-bottom: 28px;
      }

/* Social proof row */
      .newsletter-proof {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 14px;
      }

.newsletter-proof-avatars {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
      }

.proof-avatar {
        width: 36px;
        height: 36px;
        border-radius: 50%;
        background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--primary), var(--secondary));
        color: #fff;
        font-weight: 800;
        font-size: 11px;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        border: 2px solid #fff;
        margin-left: -10px;
        flex-shrink: 0;
      }

.proof-avatar:first-child {
        margin-left: 0;
      }

.newsletter-proof-text {
        font-size: 13.5px;
        color: var(--muted);
        font-weight: 500;
      }

.newsletter-proof-text strong {
        color: var(--text);
        font-weight: 700;
      }

/* Right: form card */
      .newsletter-form-wrap {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        gap: 16px;
      }

.newsletter-form-card {
        background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
        border: 1px solid var(--border);
        border-radius: 20px;
        padding: 32px;
        backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
        box-shadow: var(--shadow);
      }

.newsletter-form-header {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 10px;
        margin-bottom: 22px;
      }

.newsletter-freq-badge,
      .newsletter-free-badge {
        font-size: 11.5px;
        font-weight: 700;
        padding: 4px 12px;
        border-radius: 50px;
      }

.newsletter-freq-badge {
        background: var(--bg3);
        color: var(--primary);
        border: 1px solid rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.15);
      }

.newsletter-free-badge {
        background: #dcfce7;
        color: #15803d;
      }

.newsletter-form {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        gap: 14px;
      }

.newsletter-field-group {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        gap: 6px;
      }

.newsletter-field-label {
        font-size: 12.5px;
        font-weight: 700;
        color: var(--text);
      }

.newsletter-input {
        width: 100%;
        border: 1.5px solid var(--border);
        border-radius: 10px;
        padding: 11px 14px;
        font-family: "Plus Jakarta Sans", sans-serif;
        font-size: 13.5px;
        color: var(--text);
        background: var(--bg2);
        outline: none;
        transition:
          border-color 0.2s,
          box-shadow 0.2s;
        -webkit-appearance: none;
      }

.newsletter-input:focus {
        border-color: var(--primary);
        background: #fff;
        box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.08);
      }

.newsletter-input::placeholder {
        color: #94a3b8;
      }

.newsletter-select {
        cursor: pointer;
      }

.newsletter-submit-btn {
        width: 100%;
        justify-content: center;
        border-radius: 10px;
        padding: 13px 20px;
        font-size: 14.5px;
        margin-top: 2px;
      }

.newsletter-disclaimer {
        font-size: 11.5px;
        color: var(--muted);
        text-align: center;
        margin-top: 10px;
        line-height: 1.5;
      }

/* Trust badges row under form card */
      .newsletter-trust {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: center;
        gap: 20px;
        flex-wrap: wrap;
      }

.newsletter-trust-item {
        display: inline-flex;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 6px;
        font-size: 12px;
        font-weight: 600;
        color: var(--muted);
      }

.newsletter-trust-item svg {
        color: var(--primary);
        flex-shrink: 0;
      }

.cta-inner {
        max-width: 1280px;
        margin: 0 auto;
        background: linear-gradient(135deg,
            var(--primary) 0%,
            #1d4ed8 40%,
            var(--accent) 100%);
        border-radius: 28px;
        padding: 72px 64px;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        justify-content: space-between;
        gap: 40px;
        position: relative;
        overflow: hidden;
      }

/* ─────────────────────────────────────────────
   17. RESPONSIVE — 1200px (large tablet / small
       desktop: switch blog grid to 2-col)
───────────────────────────────────────────── */
      @media (max-width: 1200px) {
        .blog-layout {
          grid-template-columns: 1fr 300px;
          gap: 36px;
        }

        .blog-grid {
          grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
        }

        .newsletter-content {
          gap: 48px;
        }
      }

/* ─────────────────────────────────────────────
   18. RESPONSIVE — 1024px (tablet landscape)
───────────────────────────────────────────── */
      @media (max-width: 1024px) {
        .featured-post-card {
          grid-template-columns: 1fr;
        }

        .featured-post-image {
          min-height: 280px;
        }

        .featured-post-content {
          padding: 36px 32px;
        }

        .footer-top {
          grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr;
        }
      }

/* ─────────────────────────────────────────────
   19. RESPONSIVE — 900px (tablet portrait)
───────────────────────────────────────────── */
      @media (max-width: 900px) {

        /* Blog layout: stack sidebar below articles */
        .blog-layout {
          grid-template-columns: 1fr;
        }

        .blog-sidebar {
          position: static;
          display: grid;
          grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
          gap: 20px;
        }

        /* Sidebar CTA card spans full width */
        .sidebar-cta-card {
          grid-column: 1 / -1;
        }

        .newsletter-content {
          grid-template-columns: 1fr;
          gap: 40px;
        }

        .newsletter-card {
          padding: 56px 48px;
        }

        /* CTA section stacks */
        .cta-inner {
          flex-direction: column;
          text-align: center;
        }

        .cta-sub {
          max-width: 100%;
        }

        /* Blog hero stats wrap */
        .blog-hero-stats {
          flex-wrap: wrap;
          justify-content: center;
          padding: 18px 24px;
        }

        .blog-hero-stat {
          padding: 8px 20px;
        }

        .blog-hero-stat-divider {
          display: none;
        }
      }

/* ─────────────────────────────────────────────
   20. RESPONSIVE — 700px (mobile)
───────────────────────────────────────────── */
      @media (max-width: 700px) {

        /* Navbar */
        .nav-links,
        .nav-cta {
          display: none;
        }

        .hamburger {
          display: flex;
        }

        /* Sections */
        section {
          padding: 70px 5%;
        }

        #blog-hero {
          min-height: auto;
        }

        .blog-hero-inner {
          padding: 56px 5% 48px;
        }

        /* Blog grid: single column */
        .blog-grid {
          grid-template-columns: 1fr;
        }

        /* Sidebar: single column */
        .blog-sidebar {
          grid-template-columns: 1fr;
        }

        .sidebar-cta-card {
          grid-column: auto;
        }

        /* Featured post */
        .featured-post-content {
          padding: 28px 24px;
        }

        .featured-post-footer {
          flex-direction: column;
          align-items: flex-start;
          gap: 20px;
        }

        .featured-post-cta {
          width: 100%;
          justify-content: center;
        }

        /* Newsletter */
        .newsletter-card {
          padding: 40px 28px;
        }

        .newsletter-form-card {
          padding: 24px;
        }

        /* Category pills scroll on mobile */
        .blog-category-filters {
          justify-content: flex-start;
          flex-wrap: nowrap;
          overflow-x: auto;
          -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;
          padding-bottom: 8px;
          scrollbar-width: none;
        }

        .blog-category-filters::-webkit-scrollbar {
          display: none;
        }

        .category-pill {
          flex-shrink: 0;
        }

        /* Hero stats: 2-col grid on mobile */
        .blog-hero-stats {
          display: grid;
          grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
          width: 100%;
          border-radius: 16px;
          padding: 16px;
          gap: 0;
        }

        .blog-hero-stat {
          padding: 12px;
          border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
          border-right: 1px solid var(--border);
        }

        .blog-hero-stat:nth-child(2),
        .blog-hero-stat:nth-child(4) {
          border-right: none;
        }

        .blog-hero-stat:nth-child(3),
        .blog-hero-stat:nth-child(4) {
          border-bottom: none;
        }

        /* Grid header stacks */
        .blog-grid-header {
          flex-direction: column;
          align-items: flex-start;
          gap: 12px;
        }

        /* CTA */
        .cta-inner {
          padding: 40px 28px;
        }

        .cta-actions {
          width: 100%;
          justify-content: center;
        }

        .btn-cta-white,
        .btn-cta-ghost {
          width: 100%;
          text-align: center;
          justify-content: center;
        }

        /* Pagination */
        .pagination {
          gap: 4px;
        }

        .page-btn-nav span {
          display: none;
        }

        /* Footer */
        .footer-top {
          grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
          gap: 32px;
        }

        .footer-brand {
          grid-column: 1 / -1;
        }
      }

/* ─────────────────────────────────────────────
   21. RESPONSIVE — 480px (small mobile)
───────────────────────────────────────────── */
      @media (max-width: 480px) {
        .blog-hero-title {
          letter-spacing: -1px;
        }

        .newsletter-trust {
          gap: 12px;
        }

        .newsletter-trust-item {
          font-size: 11.5px;
        }

        .footer-top {
          grid-template-columns: 1fr;
        }

        .footer-links {
          flex-wrap: wrap;
          gap: 14px;
        }

        .featured-post-meta-top {
          flex-direction: column;
          align-items: flex-start;
          gap: 8px;
        }
      }