520 lines
9.2 KiB
Markdown
520 lines
9.2 KiB
Markdown
# Mobile-First Patterns
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive responsive CSS patterns learned from real-world implementation failures.
|
|
|
|
## Hero Sections
|
|
|
|
### Problem
|
|
2-column grid layouts leave empty space when one column is hidden on mobile.
|
|
|
|
### Solution
|
|
Switch from `display: grid` to `display: flex` on mobile.
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
/* Desktop: 2-column grid */
|
|
.hero {
|
|
display: grid;
|
|
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
|
|
gap: 64px;
|
|
align-items: center;
|
|
padding: 80px 0;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
/* Mobile: Centered flex */
|
|
@media (max-width: 768px) {
|
|
.hero {
|
|
display: flex;
|
|
flex-direction: column;
|
|
align-items: center;
|
|
text-align: center;
|
|
padding: 40px 20px;
|
|
gap: 24px;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.hero-content {
|
|
align-items: center;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.hero-badge {
|
|
align-self: center;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.hero-title {
|
|
font-size: 32px;
|
|
text-align: center;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.hero-subtitle {
|
|
font-size: 14px;
|
|
text-align: center;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.hero-cta {
|
|
flex-direction: column;
|
|
align-items: center;
|
|
width: 100%;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.hero-cta .btn {
|
|
width: 100%;
|
|
max-width: 280px;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.hero-visual {
|
|
display: none;
|
|
}
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
**Key Rule**: Grid reserves space for hidden columns. Flex doesn't.
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Large Selection Lists
|
|
|
|
### Problem
|
|
Horizontal scroll for 20+ items is unusable on mobile — text gets cut off.
|
|
|
|
### Solution
|
|
Collapsible accordion with category headers.
|
|
|
|
```tsx
|
|
function MobileSelector({ categories }) {
|
|
const [expanded, setExpanded] = useState<string | null>(null);
|
|
|
|
return (
|
|
<div className="selector">
|
|
{categories.map(cat => (
|
|
<div
|
|
key={cat.name}
|
|
className={cn("category", expanded === cat.name && "expanded")}
|
|
>
|
|
<button
|
|
className="category-header"
|
|
onClick={() => setExpanded(
|
|
expanded === cat.name ? null : cat.name
|
|
)}
|
|
>
|
|
<span>{cat.name}</span>
|
|
<ChevronDown className={cn(
|
|
"transition-transform",
|
|
expanded === cat.name && "rotate-180"
|
|
)} />
|
|
</button>
|
|
|
|
<div className="category-items">
|
|
{cat.items.map(item => (
|
|
<button key={item.id} className="item">
|
|
{item.name}
|
|
</button>
|
|
))}
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
))}
|
|
</div>
|
|
);
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
.category-items {
|
|
display: flex;
|
|
flex-wrap: wrap;
|
|
gap: 8px;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
@media (max-width: 768px) {
|
|
.category-items {
|
|
display: none;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.category.expanded .category-items {
|
|
display: flex;
|
|
flex-direction: column;
|
|
padding: 12px;
|
|
background: var(--bg-secondary);
|
|
border-radius: 8px;
|
|
}
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Form Layouts
|
|
|
|
### Problem
|
|
Multi-column form layouts get cut off on mobile.
|
|
|
|
### Solution
|
|
Stack vertically with full width.
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
.form-row {
|
|
display: flex;
|
|
gap: 16px;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.form-group {
|
|
flex: 1;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
@media (max-width: 768px) {
|
|
.form-row {
|
|
flex-direction: column;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.form-group {
|
|
width: 100%;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.form-row.half-width {
|
|
/* Even "half width" fields go full on mobile */
|
|
flex-direction: column;
|
|
}
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Status/Alert Cards
|
|
|
|
### Problem
|
|
Inconsistent text alignment when stacking horizontal elements vertically.
|
|
|
|
### Solution
|
|
Both `align-items: center` AND `text-align: center`.
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
.alert {
|
|
display: flex;
|
|
align-items: flex-start;
|
|
gap: 12px;
|
|
padding: 16px;
|
|
border-radius: 8px;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.alert-icon {
|
|
flex-shrink: 0;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.alert-content {
|
|
flex: 1;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
@media (max-width: 768px) {
|
|
.alert {
|
|
flex-direction: column;
|
|
align-items: center; /* Center flex items */
|
|
text-align: center; /* Center text within items */
|
|
gap: 8px;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.alert-content {
|
|
text-align: center; /* Explicit for nested elements */
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.alert strong {
|
|
text-align: center; /* Block elements need explicit */
|
|
}
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
**Key Rule**: Stacked flex items need BOTH `align-items: center` AND `text-align: center`.
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Grid Layouts
|
|
|
|
### Universal Mobile Collapse
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
.pricing-grid,
|
|
.feature-grid,
|
|
.team-grid,
|
|
.stats-grid,
|
|
.testimonial-grid {
|
|
display: grid;
|
|
gap: 24px;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
/* Desktop configurations */
|
|
.pricing-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); }
|
|
.feature-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); }
|
|
.team-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); }
|
|
.stats-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); }
|
|
.testimonial-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
|
|
|
|
/* Tablet */
|
|
@media (max-width: 1024px) {
|
|
.team-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
|
|
.stats-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
/* Mobile: Everything single column */
|
|
@media (max-width: 768px) {
|
|
.pricing-grid,
|
|
.feature-grid,
|
|
.team-grid,
|
|
.stats-grid,
|
|
.testimonial-grid {
|
|
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
|
|
}
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Navigation
|
|
|
|
### Mobile Menu Pattern
|
|
|
|
```tsx
|
|
function MobileNav() {
|
|
const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
|
|
|
|
return (
|
|
<>
|
|
{/* Mobile menu button */}
|
|
<button
|
|
className="md:hidden"
|
|
onClick={() => setOpen(!open)}
|
|
>
|
|
{open ? <X /> : <Menu />}
|
|
</button>
|
|
|
|
{/* Mobile menu overlay */}
|
|
<div className={cn(
|
|
"fixed inset-0 bg-black/50 md:hidden transition-opacity",
|
|
open ? "opacity-100" : "opacity-0 pointer-events-none"
|
|
)} onClick={() => setOpen(false)} />
|
|
|
|
{/* Mobile menu panel */}
|
|
<nav className={cn(
|
|
"fixed top-0 right-0 h-full w-64 bg-background p-6",
|
|
"transform transition-transform md:hidden",
|
|
open ? "translate-x-0" : "translate-x-full"
|
|
)}>
|
|
{/* Nav items */}
|
|
</nav>
|
|
</>
|
|
);
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Form Element Consistency
|
|
|
|
### Always Style as a Group
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
/* WRONG - Only targets input */
|
|
.input {
|
|
border: 2px solid var(--border);
|
|
border-radius: 8px;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
/* CORRECT - All form fields */
|
|
.input,
|
|
.select,
|
|
.textarea {
|
|
border: 2px solid var(--border);
|
|
border-radius: 8px;
|
|
padding: 12px 16px;
|
|
font-size: 16px; /* Prevents iOS zoom */
|
|
background: var(--bg-secondary);
|
|
color: var(--text-primary);
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
### Textarea Border Radius Exception
|
|
|
|
Pill-shaped inputs look wrong on textareas:
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
.input,
|
|
.select {
|
|
border-radius: 100px; /* Pill shape */
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
.textarea {
|
|
border-radius: 16px; /* Softer, but not pill */
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
### Dropdown Option Styling
|
|
|
|
`<option>` elements can't inherit backdrop-filter:
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
.select {
|
|
background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
|
|
backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
|
|
color: white;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
/* Options need solid backgrounds */
|
|
.select option {
|
|
background: #1a1a2e;
|
|
color: white;
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
### Prevent iOS Zoom on Focus
|
|
|
|
iOS zooms on inputs with font-size < 16px:
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
input, select, textarea {
|
|
font-size: 16px; /* Minimum to prevent zoom */
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
/* Or use transform trick */
|
|
@media (max-width: 768px) {
|
|
input, select, textarea {
|
|
font-size: 16px;
|
|
}
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Color Contrast Checklist
|
|
|
|
### Badge/Pill Elements
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
/* WRONG - May be invisible */
|
|
.badge {
|
|
background: var(--accent);
|
|
color: white; /* Might not contrast */
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
/* CORRECT - Ensure contrast */
|
|
.badge {
|
|
background: var(--accent);
|
|
color: var(--accent-foreground); /* Defined to contrast */
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
### Color Swatches
|
|
|
|
Swatches showing colors need visible borders:
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
.color-swatch {
|
|
border: 2px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15);
|
|
box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
### Dark Theme Form Labels
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
/* WRONG - Hardcoded */
|
|
.label {
|
|
color: white;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
/* CORRECT - Semantic variable */
|
|
.label {
|
|
color: var(--text-primary);
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Breakpoint Reference
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
/* Large Desktop */
|
|
@media (min-width: 1440px) {
|
|
.container { max-width: 1280px; }
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
/* Desktop */
|
|
@media (max-width: 1200px) {
|
|
/* Stack sidebars, maintain content width */
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
/* Tablet */
|
|
@media (max-width: 1024px) {
|
|
/* Reduce grid columns */
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
/* Mobile */
|
|
@media (max-width: 768px) {
|
|
/* Full single-column, centered content */
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
/* Small Mobile */
|
|
@media (max-width: 480px) {
|
|
/* Compact spacing, reduced font sizes */
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Mobile Font Scaling
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
/* Base (desktop) */
|
|
.display { font-size: 64px; }
|
|
.h1 { font-size: 48px; }
|
|
.h2 { font-size: 36px; }
|
|
.h3 { font-size: 24px; }
|
|
.body { font-size: 16px; }
|
|
.small { font-size: 14px; }
|
|
|
|
/* Mobile */
|
|
@media (max-width: 768px) {
|
|
.display { font-size: 40px; }
|
|
.h1 { font-size: 32px; }
|
|
.h2 { font-size: 24px; }
|
|
.h3 { font-size: 20px; }
|
|
.body { font-size: 16px; } /* Keep readable */
|
|
.small { font-size: 13px; }
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Touch Target Sizes
|
|
|
|
Minimum 44x44px for touch targets (Apple HIG):
|
|
|
|
```css
|
|
.btn,
|
|
.nav-link,
|
|
.icon-btn {
|
|
min-height: 44px;
|
|
min-width: 44px;
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
@media (max-width: 768px) {
|
|
.btn {
|
|
padding: 14px 24px; /* Larger touch area */
|
|
}
|
|
}
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Pre-Implementation Checklist
|
|
|
|
Before finalizing any mobile design:
|
|
|
|
- [ ] Hero centers on mobile (not left-aligned with empty space)
|
|
- [ ] All form fields (input, select, textarea) styled consistently
|
|
- [ ] Radio/checkboxes visible (especially transparent-border styles)
|
|
- [ ] Dropdown options have readable backgrounds
|
|
- [ ] Labels use semantic color variables
|
|
- [ ] Status/alert cards center properly
|
|
- [ ] Large selection lists use accordion (not horizontal scroll)
|
|
- [ ] Grid layouts collapse to single column
|
|
- [ ] Badge/pill text contrasts with background
|
|
- [ ] Color swatches have visible borders
|
|
- [ ] Touch targets are 44x44px minimum
|
|
- [ ] Font sizes are 16px+ to prevent iOS zoom
|
|
- [ ] Navigation has mobile menu pattern
|