:root {
  --white: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.92);
  --white-soft: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.76);
  --blue-1: #1168bc;
  --blue-2: #22d3dd;
  --blue-3: #1270c8;
  --shadow: rgba(6, 22, 42, 0.5);

  --subject-scale: 0.92;
  --subject-x: 0px;
  --subject-y: 20px;

  --nav-y: 70px;

  --left-title-x: 407px;
  --left-title-y: 254px;

  --right-title-x: 1162px;
  --right-title-y: 375px;

  --center-copy-y: 587px;
  --center-copy-size: 34px;

  --button-y: 730px; /* Shifted up to perfectly align with the "Business Problems" text */
  --left-button-x: 356px;
  --right-button-x: 321px;
  --artboard-scale: 1;
}

* {
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

html {
  overflow-x: hidden;
}

body {
  width: 100%;
  min-height: 100%;
  margin: 0;
  overflow-x: hidden;
  font-family: "Inter", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif;
  background: 
    linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(20, 25, 40, 0.1) 0%, rgba(12, 16, 28, 0.45) 100%),
    #7f96b0 url("photos/bg_2.png") no-repeat center center fixed;
  background-size: cover, cover;
  color: var(--white);
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
  text-rendering: geometricPrecision;
  cursor: none;
}

/* 6. ULTRA SUBTLE FILM GRAIN UNIFICATION */
body::after {
  content: "";
  position: fixed;
  inset: 0;
  z-index: 9999;
  pointer-events: none;
  background: url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,%3Csvg viewBox="0 0 200 200" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"%3E%3Cfilter id="noiseFilter"%3E%3CfeTurbulence type="fractalNoise" baseFrequency="0.85" numOctaves="3" stitchTiles="stitch"/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Crect width="100%25" height="100%25" filter="url(%23noiseFilter)" opacity="0.04"/%3E%3C/svg%3E');
  mix-blend-mode: overlay;
  opacity: 0.6;
}

a {
  color: inherit;
  text-decoration: none;
}

.hero {
  position: relative;
  width: 100vw;
  height: 100vh;
  min-height: 680px;
  overflow: hidden;
  isolation: isolate;
  animation: heroFade 0.8s ease both;
  
  /* Soft fade at the very bottom edge to blend seamlessly with scrolling sections */
  -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(0,0,0,1) 75%, rgba(0,0,0,0) 100%);
  mask-image: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(0,0,0,1) 75%, rgba(0,0,0,0) 100%);
}

.hero-artboard {
  position: absolute;
  width: 2048px;
  height: 1152px;
  left: 50%;
  top: 50%;
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(var(--artboard-scale));
  transform-origin: center center;
}

.hero__bg,
.hero__subject {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
  object-position: center;
}

.hero__bg {
  display: none;
}

#dot-field-canvas {
  position: fixed;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100vw;
  height: 100vh;
  z-index: -3; /* Keeps it perfectly behind the entire site */
  pointer-events: none; /* Let clicks pass through it */
  display: none; /* Temporarily disabled for visual comparison */
}

.hero__subject {
  z-index: -1;
  transform: translateY(var(--subject-y)) scale(var(--subject-scale));
  transform-origin: center bottom;
  pointer-events: none;
  user-select: none;
  /* 4. ENVIRONMENTAL WRAP LIGHT */
  filter: drop-shadow(0 -10px 40px rgba(130, 160, 240, 0.05)) drop-shadow(0 0 10px rgba(180, 200, 255, 0.02));
}

.site-header {
  position: fixed;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 90px; /* Significantly slimmer */
  z-index: 100;
  background: transparent; /* Hidden on page load to reveal the head fully */
  box-shadow: none;
  transition: all 0.5s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
  pointer-events: none;
}

/* Appearance state dynamically triggered when scrolling down */
.site-header--scrolled {
  background: #7f96b0 url("photos/bg_2.png") no-repeat center center fixed;
  background-size: cover;
  box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);
  pointer-events: auto;
}

.site-header__inner {
  pointer-events: auto;
  position: absolute;
  top: 35px; 
  left: 50%;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: center;
  width: 100%;
  max-width: none; /* Let it stretch to the far edges */
  padding: 0 60px; /* Safe padding from the screen edges */
  box-sizing: border-box;
  transform: translateX(-50%);
  transition: all 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
}

.site-logo {
  font-family: "Inter", sans-serif;
  font-weight: 500; /* Slightly bold as requested */
  font-size: 48px; /* Reduced the size slightly from 72px */
  line-height: 1;
  letter-spacing: 0;
  color: #ffffff;
}

.site-logo .dot {
  color: #ff3f3b;
}

/* Flying 3D word styles (used on explicit click) */
.flying-word {
  position: fixed;
  z-index: 90; /* Sits underneath site-header (100) to vanish behind it during off-screen scroll */
  color: #FFFFFF;
  font-family: "Inter", sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  pointer-events: none;
  transform-origin: center center;
  transition: transform 1.2s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), opacity 1.2s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
  text-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12);
}

/* Reactive word styles (used for step-by-step scroll binding) */
.scroll-reactive-word {
  position: fixed;
  pointer-events: none;
  z-index: 90; /* Sits beneath header but above content so it smoothly disappears into opaque bar */
  color: #FFFFFF;
  font-family: "Inter", sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  opacity: 0;
  line-height: 1; /* Hard-synchronizes baseline alignment to match section-titles perfectly! */
  transform-origin: top left;
  /* Intentionally omit CSS transitions so it responds instantly frame-by-frame to the scroll input */
  text-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12);
}

/* Placeholder reserved space for systemic dynamic text insertion across all pages */
.title-merge-target {
  opacity: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
}

.pill-nav {
  --nav-h: 32px; /* Slimmed down to match the Reach Out button perfectly */
  --pill-pad-x: 16px;
  --pill-gap: 2px;
  
  --base: #191a2d; /* Dark Navy container */
  --pill-bg: #ffffff; /* White expanding circle */
  --hover-text: #191a2d; /* Dark Navy text on hover */
  --pill-text: #ffffff; /* Default white text */
  
  width: max-content;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

.pill-nav-items {
  position: relative;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  height: var(--nav-h);
  background: #191a2d; /* Solid dark navy to match the button */
  border-radius: 9999px;
}

.pill-list {
  list-style: none;
  display: flex;
  align-items: stretch;
  gap: var(--pill-gap);
  margin: 0;
  padding: 4px;
  height: 100%;
}

.pill-list > li {
  display: flex;
  height: 100%;
}

.pill {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  height: 100%;
  padding: 0 var(--pill-pad-x);
  background: transparent;
  color: var(--pill-text);
  text-decoration: none;
  border-radius: 9999px;
  box-sizing: border-box;
  font-weight: 400; 
  font-size: 13px; /* Reduced to match Reach Out button */
  line-height: 0;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.2px;
  white-space: nowrap;
  cursor: pointer;
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.pill--inverted {
  background: #191a2d;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin-left: 12px; /* Slight separation from the rest of the nav items */
}

.pill--inverted .hover-circle {
  background: #ffffff; 
}

.pill--inverted .pill-label-hover {
  color: #191a2d; 
}

.pill .hover-circle {
  position: absolute;
  left: 50%;
  bottom: 0;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--pill-bg); /* The expanding circle is white */
  z-index: 1;
  display: block;
  pointer-events: none;
  will-change: transform;
}

.pill .label-stack {
  position: relative;
  display: inline-block;
  line-height: 1;
  z-index: 2;
}

.pill .pill-label {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  display: inline-block;
  line-height: 1;
  will-change: transform;
}

.pill .pill-label-hover {
  position: absolute;
  left: 0;
  top: 0;
  color: var(--hover-text); /* Dark navy when pill is white */
  z-index: 3;
  display: inline-block;
  will-change: transform, opacity;
}

.nav-active-dot {
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 2px; /* Adjusted downward to accommodate larger size without hitting text */
  left: 0;
  width: 6px;
  height: 6px;
  background: #ff3f3b; /* Vibrant red dot to signify active section */
  border-radius: 50px;
  z-index: 4;
  pointer-events: none;
  opacity: 0; /* Hidden on initialization until GSAP takes over */
}

.button {
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  border: 0;
  border-radius: 999px;
  background: #191a2d; /* User requested exact dark navy for all pill elements */
  color: #ffffff;
  /* 3. REDUCED BUTTON GLOW INTENSITY */
  box-shadow: 0 0 15px rgba(24, 203, 222, 0.12);
  font-weight: 400; /* Matched the crispness of the title menu */
  text-transform: uppercase; /* Matched the aesthetic of the title menu */
  white-space: nowrap;
  transition: transform 180ms ease, filter 180ms ease, box-shadow 180ms ease;
}

.button::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: -100%;
  width: 50%;
  height: 100%;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, rgba(255,255,255,0.4), transparent);
  transform: skewX(-20deg);
  pointer-events: none;
}

.button-glare-sweep-ltr {
  animation: buttonPulse 0.8s ease-in-out;
}

.button-glare-sweep-ltr::before {
  animation: sweepBarLtr 0.8s ease-in-out;
}

.button-glare-sweep-rtl {
  animation: buttonPulse 0.8s ease-in-out;
}

.button-glare-sweep-rtl::before {
  animation: sweepBarRtl 0.8s ease-in-out;
}

@keyframes buttonPulse {
  0% { box-shadow: 0 0 15px rgba(24, 203, 222, 0.12); filter: brightness(1); }
  50% { box-shadow: 0 0 25px rgba(34, 211, 221, 0.45); filter: brightness(1.1); }
  100% { box-shadow: 0 0 15px rgba(24, 203, 222, 0.12); filter: brightness(1); }
}

@keyframes sweepBarLtr {
  0% { left: -100%; }
  100% { left: 200%; }
}

@keyframes sweepBarRtl {
  0% { left: 200%; }
  100% { left: -100%; }
}

.button:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  filter: brightness(1.06);
  box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(24, 203, 222, 0.22);
}

.button--reach {
  flex: 0 0 auto;
  width: 184px;
  height: 32px;
  font-size: 13px;
  color: #ffffff;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.hero__copy {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  z-index: 2;
}

.hero__intro {
  position: absolute;
  margin: 0;
  font-weight: 300;
  line-height: 1;
  letter-spacing: 0;
  color: #ffffff;
  text-shadow:
    0 3px 3px rgba(0, 13, 28, 0.52),
    0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
  white-space: nowrap;
}

.hero__intro--left {
  top: var(--left-title-y);
  left: var(--left-title-x);
  font-size: 72px;
}

.hero__intro--right {
  top: var(--right-title-y);
  left: var(--right-title-x);
  font-size: 72px;
}

.hero__intro--right {
  word-spacing: normal;
}

.hero__intro--right span {
  word-spacing: 0;
}

/* We've moved the gradient and clipping to the individual .word spans for 3D support */
.hero__intro--right span#hero-role {
  /* Parent container needs nothing special now */
}

/* Premium Text Transformation Animation */
#hero-role,
#hero-insight {
  display: inline-block;
  font-weight: 600;
}

#hero-role .word,
#hero-insight .word {
  display: inline-block;
  transition: transform 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.2, 0, 0, 1),
              filter 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.8, 0, 0.2, 1);
  will-change: transform, filter;
  
  /* DEFAULT STATE: Pure intense white as ordered by User */
  color: #ffffff;
  background: none;
  -webkit-background-clip: initial;
  background-clip: initial;
}

#hero-insight .word {
  text-shadow:
    0 3px 3px rgba(0, 13, 28, 0.52),
    0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
  filter: drop-shadow(0 3px 6px rgba(0, 15, 30, 0.4));
}

#hero-role .word {
  color: #ffffff; /* Changed to white as requested */
  text-shadow: 0 1px 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3); /* Just a tiny, sharp rim-light */
  filter: none; /* Removed the heavy drop-shadows so the dark text is razor-sharp */
}

/* DYNAMIC GRADIENT STATE: Restricted strictly to specific semantic nodes now */
#hero-insight.is-primary-state .word {
  color: #ffffff;
  font-weight: 600; /* "A little bit of bold" */
  background: none;
  -webkit-background-clip: initial;
  background-clip: initial;
  text-shadow: 0 3px 3px rgba(0, 13, 28, 0.52);
}

.glare-active-gradient {
  animation: sweepGradient 0.8s ease-in-out forwards;
}

@keyframes sweepGradient {
  0% { background-position: 100% 0; filter: drop-shadow(0 6px 14px rgba(0, 15, 30, 0.8)) brightness(1); }
  50% { filter: drop-shadow(0 0 20px rgba(37, 214, 223, 0.95)) brightness(1.25); }
  100% { background-position: -100% 0; filter: drop-shadow(0 6px 14px rgba(0, 15, 30, 0.8)) brightness(1); }
}

.text-flash-out, .text-flash-in {
  /* Extreme cinematic flash overexposure */
  color: #ffffff !important; /* Forces dark navy text to ignite with the same white intensity */
  filter: brightness(5) drop-shadow(0 0 30px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)) drop-shadow(0 0 10px rgba(37, 214, 223, 1)) blur(2px) !important;
  transform: scale(1.05) !important;
}

.hero__statement {
  position: absolute;
  top: var(--center-copy-y);
  left: 50%;
  width: 520px;
  transform: translateX(calc(-50% + 20px));
  text-align: center;
  text-shadow: 0 3px 3px rgba(0, 11, 26, 0.5);
}

.hero__statement p {
  margin: 0;
  color: #ffffff;
  font-size: var(--center-copy-size);
  font-weight: 300;
  line-height: 1.05; /* Expanded to prevent background-clip from masking descenders (e.g. 'g', 'p') */
  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
}

.hero__statement .hero__statement-accent {
  color: #ff3f3b; /* Vibrant red spotlight */
  font-weight: 600 !important;
  letter-spacing: 0.018em !important;
  text-shadow:
    0 3px 3px rgba(0, 28, 54, 0.55),
    0 0 14px rgba(17, 151, 214, 0.16);
}

.button--work,
.button--builds {
  position: absolute;
  top: var(--button-y);
  width: 372px;
  height: 46px;
  font-size: 16px;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  color: #ffffff;
}

.button--work {
  left: var(--left-button-x);
}

.button--builds {
  right: var(--right-button-x);
}

@keyframes heroFade {
  from {
    opacity: 0;
  }

  to {
    opacity: 1;
  }
}

/* ==========================================================================
   PREMIUM HERO METRICS
   ========================================================================== */
.hero-metrics {
  position: absolute;
  top: calc(var(--button-y) + 100px); /* Cleanly positioned below the CTA buttons */
  width: 372px; /* Exact width of the CTA buttons */
  display: flex;
  gap: 35px; /* Tightly balanced so the middle element centers under the button */
  justify-content: center; /* Forces the middle metric to perfectly align with the button's center */
}

.hero-metrics--left {
  left: var(--left-button-x);
}

.hero-metrics--right {
  /* Precisely aligns the 372px container directly under the right CTA button */
  right: var(--right-button-x);
}

.hero-metric {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
  text-align: center;
  gap: 6px;
}

.hero-metric-num {
  font-size: 34px; /* Large but sophisticated */
  font-weight: 200; /* Ultra-thin, light aesthetic */
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.95); /* Soft premium white */
  line-height: 1;
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
  font-family: "Inter", sans-serif;
}

.hero-metric-label {
  font-size: 10px; /* Small, refined micro-typography */
  font-weight: 300; /* Reverted from 500 to a clean, non-bold aesthetic */
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.45); /* Low opacity, subtle */
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.25em; /* Extremely spacious tracking for an editorial feel */
  font-family: "Inter", sans-serif;
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .hero-metrics {
    position: relative; /* Reset from absolute on mobile */
    top: auto;
    left: auto;
    justify-content: center;
    gap: 30px;
    margin-top: 40px;
    flex-wrap: wrap;
  }
  .hero-metric {
    align-items: center;
  }
  .hero-metric-num {
    font-size: 28px;
  }
}

/* ==========================================================================
   GLOBAL CONTENT SECTION LAYOUT
   ========================================================================== */
.content-section {
  position: relative;
  min-height: 100vh;
  padding: 10vh 5vw;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  background: transparent;
  color: var(--white);
  overflow: visible; /* Releasing hard-stop to prevent bottom truncation of taller dynamic grids */
}

/* We removed the .section-number class */

.section-content {
  position: relative;
  max-width: 500px;
  margin-top: 18vh; /* Lifted upwards to eliminate dead air space below title */
  z-index: 2;
}

#about .section-content,
#education .section-content,
#projects .section-content,
#exposure .section-content,
#testimonials .section-content,
#contact .section-content {
  max-width: none; /* Release structural speed limits to fully capture horizontal canvas */
  margin-left: 10vw;
  margin-right: 10vw; /* High-fidelity symmetric alignment bridging left & right anchors */
}

/* About Grid & Premium Glass Cards */
.about-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(260px, 1fr));
  gap: 24px;
  margin-top: 25px; /* Condensed gap to pull cards directly beneath the header system */
  width: 100%;
  max-width: none; /* Unlocked to occupy total container expanse */
}

.about-card {
  background: transparent; /* Upgraded to premium borderless aesthetic */
  border: none;
  border-radius: 0;
  padding: 32px 28px; /* High efficiency packing to fit comfortable within viewport */
  box-shadow: none;
  transition: all 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 16px;
  text-align: left; /* Hard lockdown alignment against global side-layout inheritance */
}

.about-card:hover {
  background: #22233b; /* Slightly lighter navy for hover state */
  border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
  transform: translateY(-8px);
  box-shadow: 0 25px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);
}

.about-card-badge {
  font-size: 14px;
  color: #ffffff;
  font-weight: 500;
  letter-spacing: 0.15em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  padding-bottom: 20px;
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06); /* Discreet systemic hairline rule */
  font-family: "Inter", sans-serif;
}

.about-card-text {
  font-size: 0.88rem;
  line-height: 1.8;
  font-weight: 200; /* Dropped to ExtraLight (200) for maximum visible slimness */
  color: #ffffff;
  margin: 0;
  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
}

.about-card-list {
  list-style: none;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 14px;
  margin-top: 10px;
}

.about-card-list li {
  font-size: 0.88rem;
  line-height: 1.7;
  font-weight: 200; /* Dropped to ExtraLight (200) for maximum visible slimness */
  color: #ffffff;
  position: relative;
  padding-left: 24px;
  letter-spacing: 0.03em;
}

.about-card-list li::before {
  content: "•"; /* Cinematic tech-bullet */
  color: #FF3F3B; /* Total thematic lockdown */
  position: absolute;
  left: 0;
  top: 0;
  font-weight: 900;
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  line-height: 1.6;
}

.text-about-highlight {
  color: #FF3F3B;
  font-weight: 600;
}

.section-text {
  font-size: 1.35rem;
  line-height: 1.7;
  font-weight: 400;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin-bottom: 40px;
  text-shadow:
    0 3px 3px rgba(0, 13, 28, 0.52),
    0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
  padding-left: 24px;
  border-left: 2px solid;
  border-image: linear-gradient(to bottom, #1fb6e6, transparent) 1;
}

.layout-right .section-text {
  padding-left: 0;
  border-left: none;
  padding-right: 24px;
  border-right: 2px solid;
  border-image: linear-gradient(to bottom, #1fb6e6, transparent) 1;
}

.text-highlight {
  color: #ffffff;
  font-weight: 600;
}

.text-accent {
  color: #1fb6e6;
  font-weight: 600;
}

.section-tag {
  display: inline-block;
  padding: 10px 20px;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3);
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.15em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #ffffff;
  text-shadow:
    0 3px 3px rgba(0, 13, 28, 0.52),
    0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
}

/* Base Title */
.section-title {
  position: absolute;
  top: 10vh; 
  font-size: 48px; /* Matched to the Joseph. logo size */
  font-weight: 300; 
  text-transform: uppercase; 
  line-height: 1;
  margin: 0;
  color: #ffffff; /* Replaced dark navy with solid white for high contrast */
  text-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12); 
}

.title-accent {
  color: #1fb6e6; /* High-fidelity cyan designated for specified titles */
}

#about .title-accent,
#education .title-accent,
#projects .title-accent,
#tools .title-accent,
#exposure .title-accent,
#contact .title-accent {
  color: #FF3F3B; /* TOTAL DOMINATION: Fully unified elite color consistency across the entire portfolio! */
}

/* Hard-Lock geometric bounding boxes to eliminate all inline vertical drift */
.section-title span {
  display: inline-block;
  vertical-align: top;
  line-height: 1; /* Absolute alignment parity with the flying kinetic divs */
}

/* Left Aligned Section */
.layout-left .section-title {
  left: 10vw;
  text-align: left;
}
.layout-left .section-content {
  margin-left: 10vw;
  text-align: left;
}

/* Right Aligned Section */
.layout-right .section-title {
  right: 10vw;
  text-align: right;
}
.layout-right .section-content {
  margin-left: auto;
  margin-right: 10vw;
  text-align: right;
}

/* --- Interactive Project Cards --- */
.project-list {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 12px;
  margin-top: 30px;
  width: 100%;
}

.project-card {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: center;
  padding: 16px 24px;
  background: transparent; /* Upgraded to premium borderless aesthetic */
  border: none;
  border-left: 3px solid transparent;
  border-radius: 0;
  color: var(--white);
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: all 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
  cursor: pointer;
}

.project-card:hover {
  background: transparent;
  border-color: transparent;
  border-left-color: #1fb6e6; /* Signature cyan accent */
  transform: translateX(10px);
}

.layout-right .project-card:hover {
  transform: translateX(-10px); /* Move left if on the right layout */
  border-left: none;
  border-right: 3px solid #1fb6e6; /* Mirror the accent border */
}

.project-info {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
}

.layout-left .project-info {
  text-align: left;
}

.layout-right .project-info {
  text-align: right;
}

.project-name {
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  font-weight: 600;
  margin-bottom: 4px;
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
  text-shadow:
    0 3px 3px rgba(0, 13, 28, 0.52),
    0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
}

.project-tech {
  font-size: 0.75rem;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-shadow:
    0 3px 3px rgba(0, 13, 28, 0.52),
    0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
}

.project-arrow {
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  color: #1fb6e6;
  opacity: 0;
  transform: translateX(-10px);
  transition: all 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
}

.layout-right .project-arrow {
  transform: translateX(10px);
}

.project-card:hover .project-arrow {
  opacity: 1;
  transform: translateX(0);
}

/* --- Bedimcode-inspired Scroll Reveal Animations --- */
.animate-on-scroll {
  opacity: 0;
  transition: opacity 1.2s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), transform 1.2s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
}

/* Titles fade and slide down from top */
.section-title.animate-on-scroll {
  transform: translateY(-40px);
}

/* Left-aligned content blocks slide in from left */
.layout-left .section-content.animate-on-scroll {
  transform: translateX(-60px);
}

/* Right-aligned content blocks slide in from right */
.layout-right .section-content.animate-on-scroll {
  transform: translateX(60px);
}

/* Trigger reveal state */
.animate-on-scroll.is-visible {
  opacity: 1;
  transform: translate(0) !important;
}

/* Staggered card reveals inside project lists and about grids */
.project-card, .about-card {
  opacity: 0;
  transform: translateY(30px);
  transition: opacity 1s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1), transform 1s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
}

.is-visible .project-card, .is-visible .about-card {
  opacity: 1;
  transform: translateY(0);
}

/* Individual staggered transition delays */
.is-visible .project-card:nth-child(1), .is-visible .about-card:nth-child(1) { transition-delay: 0.15s; }
.is-visible .project-card:nth-child(2), .is-visible .about-card:nth-child(2) { transition-delay: 0.3s; }
.is-visible .project-card:nth-child(3), .is-visible .about-card:nth-child(3) { transition-delay: 0.45s; }
.is-visible .project-card:nth-child(4), .is-visible .about-card:nth-child(4) { transition-delay: 0.6s; }

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  :root {
    --center-copy-size: 22px;
    --subject-scale: 0.85;
    --subject-y: 15vh;
  }

  .hero {
    min-height: 100dvh;
  }

  .hero-artboard {
    width: 100vw;
    height: 100dvh;
    left: 0;
    top: 0;
    transform: none;
  }

  .site-header {
    top: 20px;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    transform: none;
    flex-direction: column;
    justify-content: center;
    gap: 15px;
  }

  .site-header__inner {
    position: relative;
    top: 0;
    padding: 0 15px;
    flex-direction: column;
    gap: 15px;
    width: 100%;
    transform: none;
    left: 0;
  }

  .pill-nav {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100vw;
    justify-content: flex-start;
    position: relative;
    padding-bottom: 20px; /* Space for the swipe hint */
  }

  .pill-nav::after {
    content: "SWIPE \2192"; /* Text with right arrow */
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 0;
    right: 20px;
    font-size: 9px;
    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
    letter-spacing: 0.2em;
    font-weight: 500;
    pointer-events: none;
    animation: swipeHintPulse 2s infinite ease-in-out;
  }

  @keyframes swipeHintPulse {
    0%, 100% { opacity: 0.3; transform: translateX(0); }
    50% { opacity: 0.9; transform: translateX(4px); }
  }

  .pill-nav-items {
    width: 100%;
    overflow-x: auto;
    -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;
    scrollbar-width: none;
    justify-content: flex-start;
  }

  .pill-nav-items::-webkit-scrollbar {
    display: none;
  }

  .hero__copy {
    display: block;
    width: 100vw;
    height: 100dvh;
    position: absolute;
    top: 0; left: 0;
    pointer-events: none;
    z-index: 10;
  }

  .hero__intro, .hero__statement, .button--work, .button--builds, .hero-metrics {
    position: absolute !important;
    transform: none !important;
    margin: 0 !important;
    pointer-events: auto !important;
  }

  .hero__intro {
    font-size: 2.2rem !important;
    top: 16vh !important;
    left: 50% !important;
    transform: translateX(-50%) !important;
    width: 100% !important;
    text-align: center !important;
  }

  .hero__intro--right {
    font-size: 1.8rem !important;
    top: 21vh !important;
  }

  .hero__statement {
    top: auto !important;
    bottom: 25vh !important;
    left: 50% !important;
    transform: translateX(-50%) !important;
    width: 100% !important;
    text-align: center !important;
    z-index: 20 !important;
  }

  .hero__statement p {
    font-size: 1.3rem !important;
    line-height: 1.3 !important;
  }
  
  .button--work, .button--builds {
    bottom: 10vh !important;
    top: auto !important;
    width: 43vw !important;
    max-width: none !important;
    font-size: 0.55rem !important;
    padding: 10px 5px !important;
    text-align: center;
    display: flex !important;
    justify-content: center !important;
    align-items: center !important;
    height: 40px !important;
    background: #191a2d !important; /* Forces solid dark navy matching the top nav */
  }

  .button--work {
    left: 5vw !important;
  }

  .button--builds {
    right: 5vw !important;
  }
  
  .hero-metrics {
    display: flex !important;
    flex-direction: column !important;
    gap: 20px !important;
    top: 40vh !important;
  }

  .hero-metrics--left {
    left: 5vw !important;
    align-items: flex-start !important;
  }
  
  .hero-metrics--left .hero-metric {
    align-items: flex-start !important;
    text-align: left !important;
  }

  .hero-metrics--right {
    right: 5vw !important;
    align-items: flex-end !important;
  }
  
  .hero-metrics--right .hero-metric {
    align-items: flex-end !important;
    text-align: right !important;
  }
  
  .hero-metric {
    margin: 0 !important;
    flex: none !important;
  }
  
  .hero-metric-num {
    font-size: 1.4rem !important;
  }
  
  .hero-metric-label {
    font-size: 0.5rem !important;
  }

  .section-title {
    top: 140px; /* Clears the taller stacked mobile header */
    left: 0;
    font-size: 34px; /* Scales the text beautifully for narrow screens */
    width: 100%;
    text-align: center;
  }

  .section {
    scroll-margin-top: 140px; /* Ensures JS scroll lands perfectly below header */
  }
}

/* ==========================================================================
   3D CAROUSEL ENGINE - TOOLS & TECH
   ========================================================================== */
#tools {
  justify-content: center;
}

#tools .section-content {
  max-width: none;
  width: 100%;
  margin-left: 0;
  margin-right: 0;
  margin-top: 4vh; /* Forcefully pull the 3D orbit upwards to eliminate dead space below title */
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
}

.tools-3d-scene {
  margin-top: 10px; /* Shifted the entire orbit upward to center it better */
  width: 100%;
  height: 580px; /* Expanded height safely contains the 3D projection without clipping */
  perspective: 1800px;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
  overflow: visible;
  position: relative;
}

.tools-3d-track {
    width: 210px;
    height: 300px;
    position: relative;
    transform-style: preserve-3d;
    transform-origin: center center;
    transform: rotateX(-10deg) rotateY(0deg); /* Base state, overridden by JS */
  }

.tools-3d-panel {
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  background: #191a2d; /* Solid navy base */
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.07);
  border-radius: 20px;
  box-shadow: 0 15px 35px rgba(0,0,0,0.3), inset 0 0 20px rgba(255,255,255,0.02);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
  padding: 24px 18px;
  transform-origin: center center;
  transform: rotateY(calc(var(--i) * 45deg)) translateZ(380px); /* Perfect distribution */
  transition: transform 0.4s ease, border-color 0.4s ease, background 0.4s ease;
  backface-visibility: visible;
}

/* Internal Glowing Background Pops from reference image */
.tools-3d-panel::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  border-radius: inherit;
  opacity: 0.12;
  z-index: -1;
}
.tools-3d-panel:nth-child(odd)::before { background: radial-gradient(circle at top right, #FF3F3B, transparent 65%); }
.tools-3d-panel:nth-child(even)::before { background: radial-gradient(circle at bottom left, #1fb6e6, transparent 65%); }

.tools-3d-panel:hover {
  border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
  background: #22233b; /* Hover navy */
  transform: rotateY(calc(var(--i) * 45deg)) translateZ(410px) scale(1.05); /* Active Panel Elevation */
  z-index: 10;
}

.panel-label {
  font-size: 0.65rem;
  color: #FF3F3B; /* Unified master theme red */
  letter-spacing: 0.22em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  font-weight: 700;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
  padding-bottom: 10px;
  width: 100%;
  text-align: center;
  font-family: "Inter", sans-serif;
}

.panel-chips {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 10px;
  width: 100%;
}

.tech-chip {
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04);
  border-radius: 8px;
  padding: 8px 10px;
  color: #ffffff;
  font-family: "Inter", sans-serif;
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  font-weight: 500;
  text-align: center;
  letter-spacing: 0.03em;
  box-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
  transition: background 0.3s, border-color 0.3s, color 0.3s;
}

.tools-3d-panel:hover .tech-chip {
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
  border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
}

.tech-chip:hover {
  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.12) !important;
  color: #ffffff;
  border-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.2) !important;
}

@keyframes toolsSpin {
  from { transform: rotateX(-10deg) rotateY(0deg); }
  to { transform: rotateX(-10deg) rotateY(360deg); }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .tools-3d-scene { height: 350px; perspective: 1200px; }
  .tools-3d-track { width: 160px; height: 240px; }
  .tools-3d-panel { transform: rotateY(calc(var(--i) * 45deg)) translateZ(260px); padding: 15px 10px;}
  .tools-3d-panel:hover { transform: rotateY(calc(var(--i) * 45deg)) translateZ(280px) scale(1.05); }
  .tech-chip { font-size: 0.7rem; padding: 6px 8px; }
}

/* ==========================================================================
   AI BUILDS: 3D VOLUMETRIC STACK ENGINE
   ========================================================================== */
#ai-builds .title-accent { color: #FF3F3B !important; } /* Explicit Red Accent Tie-in */

.ai-builds-container {
  display: flex;
  gap: 50px;
  align-items: flex-start;
  max-width: none;
  margin-left: 10vw;
  margin-right: 10vw;
  margin-top: 18vh;
  position: relative;
}

/* Scene Columns */
.ai-visual-column {
  flex: 0 0 580px; /* Scaled up from 450px to host wider stack */
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  min-height: 450px;
}

.ai-details-column {
  flex: 1;
  position: relative;
  min-height: 450px;
}

.ai-scene-container {
  perspective: 1800px; /* Increased perspective for depth */
  width: 100%;
  height: 400px;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
}

/* 3D Stack Vector Mapping */
.ai-volumetric-stack {
  position: relative;
  width: 460px; /* Massively widened from 320px for visibility */
  height: 220px; /* Upscaled height */
  transform-style: preserve-3d;
  transform: rotateX(55deg) rotateZ(-40deg);
  transition: transform 0.8s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
}

/* Primitive Layers */
.ai-block-layer {
  position: absolute;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  transform-style: preserve-3d;
  transition: all 0.7s cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1);
  cursor: pointer;
}

/* Explicit Physical Render Stack (Fixes GPU Paint Interference) */
.l1 { z-index: 40 !important; }
.l2 { z-index: 30 !important; }
.l3 { z-index: 20 !important; }
.l4 { z-index: 10 !important; }

/* Side rendering mimicking solid extrusion */
.block-side {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

.block-top {
  background: rgba(13, 32, 61, 0.95); /* Opaque for high scroll performance */
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
  transform: translateZ(30px); /* Upscaled edge thickness from 20px */
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 0.75rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.3em;
  box-shadow: inset 0 0 30px rgba(255,255,255,0.03);
  transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

/* ==========================================================================
   ELITE PHOTONICS: AI CORE ILLUMINATION
   ========================================================================== */
.l1 .block-top {
  background: rgba(15, 40, 70, 0.9);
  color: #ffffff;
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.38em;
  font-weight: 900;
  border: 2px solid rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.7);
  box-shadow: inset 0 0 25px rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.3), 0 0 30px rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.2);
  animation: coreIgnition 3s infinite cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
}

@keyframes coreIgnition {
  0%, 100% { text-shadow: 0 0 12px #00D2FF, 0 0 25px #00D2FF; border-color: rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.6); }
  50% { text-shadow: 0 0 20px #00D2FF, 0 0 35px #00D2FF, 0 0 45px #00D2FF; border-color: rgba(0, 210, 255, 1); box-shadow: inset 0 0 35px rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.4), 0 0 45px rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.4); }
}

/* ==========================================================================
   STRUCTURAL BASE FOUNDATION (THE CYBER-GRID UPGRADE)
   ========================================================================== */
.ai-block-base {
  position: absolute;
  width: 116%; /* Slightly wider for total grounding */
  height: 116%;
  top: -8%;
  left: -8%;
  transform: translateZ(-40px); /* Massive distinct spatial separation */
  background: rgba(10, 25, 47, 0.75);
  border: 2px solid rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.3); /* Crisp neon border replacing dashed */
  border-radius: 6px;
  transform-style: preserve-3d;
  box-shadow: 0 0 35px rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.15), inset 0 0 25px rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.08);
  transition: all 0.8s ease;
  z-index: 5 !important; /* Lowest stack priority */
}

/* The Grid Core */
.base-face {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  /* High-Tech Data Grid Generator */
  background-image: 
    linear-gradient(rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.08) 1px, transparent 1px),
    linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.08) 1px, transparent 1px);
  background-size: 25px 25px;
  background-position: center;
  border-radius: inherit;
}

/* Elite Radial Core Bloom */
.ai-block-base::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: radial-gradient(circle at center, rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.2) 0%, transparent 70%);
  opacity: 0.7;
  border-radius: inherit;
}

/* The Outer Perimeter Halo Trace */
.ai-block-base::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: -8px;
  border: 1px dashed rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.4);
  border-radius: 8px;
  box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.1);
  opacity: 0.6;
  animation: gridPulse 4s infinite ease-in-out;
}

@keyframes gridPulse {
  0%, 100% { opacity: 0.4; transform: scale(1); }
  50% { opacity: 0.7; transform: scale(1.02); }
}

.block-front {
  height: 30px; /* Expanded vertical face matching thickness */
  top: 100%;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  transform-origin: top;
  transform: rotateX(-90deg);
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  padding-left: 24px; /* More room */
  font-size: 1rem; /* INCREASED FONT: Total readability */
  font-weight: 800;
  text-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.7);
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.6);
  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
}

/* ==========================================================================
   LATERAL SIDE-WALL ARCHITECTURE (CLOSES THE 3D MESH)
   ========================================================================== */
.block-left {
  position: absolute;
  width: 30px; /* Matches thickness */
  height: 100%; /* Extends full depth of block */
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  transform-origin: left;
  transform: rotateY(90deg); /* Stand vertical against left edge */
  background: linear-gradient(to left, rgba(8, 20, 40, 0.96), rgba(12, 28, 50, 0.98));
  border-right: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06); /* Micro-edge highlight */
  box-shadow: inset -10px 0 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.4);
}

/* Dynamic Isometric Color Injections mimicking user visual reference */
.l1 .block-front { border-left: 8px solid #FF3F3B; color: #FF3F3B; background: linear-gradient(to right, rgba(255, 63, 59, 0.35), rgba(10, 25, 47, 0.95)); }
.l2 .block-front { border-left: 8px solid #00D2FF; color: #00D2FF; background: linear-gradient(to right, rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.35), rgba(10, 25, 47, 0.95)); }
.l3 .block-front { border-left: 8px solid #7B61FF; color: #7B61FF; background: linear-gradient(to right, rgba(123, 97, 255, 0.35), rgba(10, 25, 47, 0.95)); }
.l4 .block-front { border-left: 8px solid #1fb6e6; color: #1fb6e6; background: linear-gradient(to right, rgba(31, 182, 230, 0.35), rgba(10, 25, 47, 0.95)); }

/* Collapsed Initial Stack (Introduced explicit 5px micro-gaps to prevent GPU Z-Fighting Fusion) */
.l1 { transform: translateZ(105px); } /* 35px intervals */
.l2 { transform: translateZ(70px); }
.l3 { transform: translateZ(35px); }
.l4 { transform: translateZ(0px); }

/* EXPLOSION LOGIC: Expanded translateZ coordinates to allow breathing room for thicker slabs */
#ai-builds.is-visible .l1 { transform: translateZ(220px); }
#ai-builds.is-visible .l2 { transform: translateZ(150px); }
#ai-builds.is-visible .l3 { transform: translateZ(80px); }
#ai-builds.is-visible .l4 { transform: translateZ(10px); }

/* Focused Interaction overrides for the active & hover state mechanics */
#ai-builds.is-visible .l1:hover, #ai-builds.is-visible .l1.active { transform: translateZ(250px) translateX(20px) scale(1.05); filter: brightness(1.3); box-shadow: -25px 25px 50px rgba(255, 63, 59, 0.25); z-index: 100 !important; }
#ai-builds.is-visible .l2:hover, #ai-builds.is-visible .l2.active { transform: translateZ(180px) translateX(20px) scale(1.05); filter: brightness(1.3); box-shadow: -25px 25px 50px rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.25); z-index: 100 !important; }
#ai-builds.is-visible .l3:hover, #ai-builds.is-visible .l3.active { transform: translateZ(110px) translateX(20px) scale(1.05); filter: brightness(1.3); box-shadow: -25px 25px 50px rgba(123, 97, 255, 0.25); z-index: 100 !important; }
#ai-builds.is-visible .l4:hover, #ai-builds.is-visible .l4.active { transform: translateZ(40px) translateX(20px) scale(1.05); filter: brightness(1.3); box-shadow: -25px 25px 50px rgba(31, 182, 230, 0.25); z-index: 100 !important; }

/* Right Side Informational Card Deck */
.ai-detail-deck {
  position: relative;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
}

.ai-detail-card {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: transparent; /* Liquidated container background */
  border: none;
  border-radius: 0;
  padding: 0px; /* Unleashed padding containment */
  backdrop-filter: none;
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: none;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  opacity: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
  transform: translateX(30px);
  transition: all 0.6s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
  box-shadow: none;
  /* Master Text-Shadow Stack Cloned from User Preferences */
  text-shadow: 
    0 3px 3px rgba(0, 13, 28, 0.52), 
    0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
}

.ai-detail-card.active {
  opacity: 1;
  pointer-events: auto;
  transform: translateX(0);
  z-index: 5;
}

/* ==========================================================================
   DYNAMIC CHROMATIC ARCHITECTURE (ACCENT VARIABLE BINDING)
   ========================================================================== */
#desc-hr-ecosystem { --card-accent: #FF3F3B; } /* Master Red */
#desc-finance-tracker { --card-accent: #33DDFF; } /* Lightened Cyan */
#desc-invoice-tracker { --card-accent: #B3A2FF; } /* MASSIVELY LIGHTENED PURPLE for clarity! */
#desc-sound-card { --card-accent: #5CE1FF; } /* Lightened Soft Blue */

/* Floating Header Label Vector */
.ai-detail-card .about-card-badge {
  background: transparent !important;
  box-shadow: none !important;
  border: none !important;
  padding: 0 0 4px 0 !important;
  font-size: 0.95rem !important; /* Slightly scaled up */
  letter-spacing: 0.35em !important;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
  font-weight: 900 !important; /* Maximize stroke weight */
  opacity: 1 !important;
  display: inline-block;
  /* DYNAMICALLY BINDING COLORS & SUBTLE ACCENT LINE FOR MAXIMUM CLARITY */
  color: var(--card-accent) !important;
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15) !important;
}

.ai-detail-card h3 {
  font-size: 2.8rem; /* Massively expanded title magnitude */
  font-weight: 800;
  margin: 0 0 15px 0;
  color: #ffffff;
  letter-spacing: -0.02em;
  line-height: 1.1;
}

.ai-detail-card .about-card-text {
  font-size: 1.15rem; /* Elevated readability matrix */
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);
  line-height: 1.6;
  margin-bottom: 25px;
}

/* DYNAMIC BULLET SYSTEM ENFORCEMENT */
.ai-detail-card .about-card-list {
  list-style: none !important;
  padding: 0 !important;
  margin: 15px 0 !important;
}

.ai-detail-card .about-card-list li {
  position: relative;
  padding-left: 25px; /* Create space for dynamic marker */
  font-size: 1.05rem;
  line-height: 1.7;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.75);
  margin-bottom: 15px;
}

/* Virtual Neon Bullet Generator inheriting current card accent! */
.ai-detail-card .about-card-list li::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  left: 0;
  top: 9px; /* Vertical center alignment with 1.05rem text */
  width: 8px;
  height: 8px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--card-accent) !important; /* CRITICAL: Matching Title Color! */
  box-shadow: 0 0 8px var(--card-accent); /* Glow synchronization */
}

/* Optimized Bottom Bounding Line */
.impact-tag {
  margin-top: auto;
  background: transparent; /* Liquidated box fill */
  border: none;
  border-top: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15); /* Retained minimal bounding line */
  border-radius: 0;
  padding: 25px 0 10px 0;
  font-size: 1rem; /* Boosted text */
  line-height: 1.6;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);
}

.impact-tag strong {
  color: #ffffff;
  font-weight: 800;
  margin-right: 6px;
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
}

/* Responsive Geometry Collapse for Smaller Displays */
@media (max-width: 1024px) {
  .ai-builds-container { flex-direction: column; gap: 60px; padding-bottom: 50px; }
  .ai-visual-column { flex: 0 0 auto; width: 100%; min-height: 350px; }
  .ai-details-column { min-height: auto; }
  .ai-detail-card { position: relative; opacity: 1; pointer-events: auto; transform: none; margin-bottom: 40px; }
}
@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .ai-volumetric-stack { width: 260px; }
  .ai-detail-card h3 { font-size: 2rem; }
}

/* ==========================================================================
   ELITE EXPOSURE TIMELINE ARCHITECTURE
   ========================================================================== */
.exposure-timeline {
  position: relative;
  padding: 20px 0 20px 30px;
  margin-top: 50px; /* Increased headroom */
  max-width: calc(100% - 15vw); /* Dynamic spacious expansion */
  text-align: left !important; /* Immediate alignment lockdown */
}

/* The Main Chronology Axis Conduit */
.timeline-axis {
  position: absolute;
  left: 0;
  top: 10px;
  bottom: 0;
  width: 2px;
  background: linear-gradient(to bottom, 
    #FF3F3B 0%, 
    rgba(255, 63, 59, 0.4) 30%, 
    rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.2) 70%,
    transparent 100%
  );
  box-shadow: 0 0 15px rgba(255, 63, 59, 0.15);
}

.timeline-item {
  position: relative;
  margin-bottom: 60px;
  transform: translateX(20px);
  opacity: 0;
  animation: slideInRole 0.8s ease forwards;
}

.timeline-item:nth-child(2) { animation-delay: 0.2s; }
.timeline-item:nth-child(3) { animation-delay: 0.4s; }
.timeline-item:nth-child(4) { animation-delay: 0.6s; }

@keyframes slideInRole {
  to { transform: translateX(0); opacity: 1; }
}

/* The Chrono-Node Point */
.timeline-pointer {
  position: absolute;
  left: -36px;
  top: 30px;
  width: 14px;
  height: 14px;
  background: #0b1524;
  border: 2px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
  border-radius: 50%;
  z-index: 2;
  transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

.active-role .timeline-pointer {
  border-color: #FF3F3B;
  background: #FF3F3B;
  box-shadow: 0 0 15px rgba(255, 63, 59, 0.6);
}

/* Dynamic Photon Halo for the active node */
.pointer-pulse {
  position: absolute;
  inset: -4px;
  border: 2px solid #FF3F3B;
  border-radius: 50%;
  animation: nodePulse 2s infinite;
  opacity: 0;
}

@keyframes nodePulse {
  0% { transform: scale(1); opacity: 0.8; }
  100% { transform: scale(2.5); opacity: 0; }
}

/* The Visual Container Engine */
.timeline-card {
  background: transparent;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 0;
  padding: 35px;
  transition: all 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.25, 0.46, 0.45, 0.94);
  text-shadow: 0 3px 3px rgba(0, 13, 28, 0.52), 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3);
}

.timeline-card:hover {
  background: transparent;
  border-color: transparent;
  transform: translateY(-5px) translateX(5px);
  box-shadow: none;
}

.timeline-meta {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 12px;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.meta-tag {
  font-size: 0.7rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  padding: 4px 10px;
  border-radius: 20px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, #FF3F3B, #FF6B6B);
  color: #ffffff;
}

.meta-duration {
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
}

.exp-role {
  font-size: 1.8rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  margin: 0 0 6px 0;
  color: #ffffff;
  letter-spacing: -0.01em;
}

.exp-company {
  font-size: 1rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #00D2FF;
  margin: 0 0 20px 0;
  opacity: 0.9;
}

.exp-list {
  list-style: none;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
}

.exp-list li {
  position: relative;
  padding-left: 20px;
  font-size: 1.05rem;
  line-height: 1.6;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}

.exp-list li::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  left: 0;
  top: 10px;
  width: 6px;
  height: 6px;
  background: #ffffff;
  border-radius: 50%;
  opacity: 0.4;
}

.exp-list li strong {
  color: #ffffff;
  font-weight: 800;
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .exposure-timeline { padding-left: 20px; }
  .timeline-card { padding: 25px; }
  .exp-role { font-size: 1.5rem; }
}

/* ==========================================================================
   REACH OUT: HIGH-TECH TERMINAL MATRIX
   ========================================================================== */
.reach-out-grid {
  display: block;
  margin-top: 60px;
  padding: 40px 0;
}

#contact .section-content {
  text-align: center;
  margin-left: 10vw;
  margin-right: 10vw;
}

/* LEFT COLUMN: Dynamic Typography & Social Grid */
.reach-headline-gradient {
  font-size: 3.2rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  margin: 0 0 40px 0;
  letter-spacing: -0.02em;
  color: #FF3F3B; /* Master red consistency override */
  line-height: 1.1;
  text-shadow: 0 3px 3px rgba(0, 13, 28, 0.52), 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
}

.reach-meta-block {
  margin-bottom: 20px;
}

.reach-label {
  font-size: 1.5rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
  text-shadow: 0 3px 3px rgba(0, 13, 28, 0.52), 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
}

.reach-link {
  font-size: 1.6rem;
  font-weight: 400;
  color: #ffffff;
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: all 0.3s ease;
  display: inline-block;
  text-shadow: 0 3px 3px rgba(0, 13, 28, 0.52), 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
}

.reach-link:hover {
  color: #00D2FF;
  transform: translateX(5px);
}

.email-link {
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.3);
  padding-bottom: 4px;
}

/* Social Deck Architecture */
.reach-social-deck {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 20px;
  margin-top: 50px;
}

.social-vessel {
  width: 55px;
  height: 55px;
  border-radius: 12px;
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  font-size: 1.6rem;
  color: #ffffff;
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: all 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.175, 0.885, 0.32, 1.275);
}

.social-vessel img {
  width: 26px;
  height: 26px;
  opacity: 0.9;
}

.social-vessel:hover {
  transform: translateY(-8px) scale(1.1);
  border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25);
  box-shadow: 0 15px 30px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);
}

/* Hover State Specializations */
.icon-linkedin:hover { background: #0077b5; color: white; box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0, 119, 181, 0.4); }
.icon-github:hover { background: #2b3137; color: white; box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(43, 49, 55, 0.4); }
.icon-tableau:hover { background: #ffffff; color: #1a1b26; box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2); }

/* RIGHT COLUMN: THE FUTURISTIC HUD AVATAR SYSTEM */
.reach-out-avatar-system {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
}

.avatar-hud-container {
  position: relative;
  width: 380px;
  height: 380px;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
}

/* Rotating Ring Definitions */
.hud-ring {
  position: absolute;
  border-radius: 50%;
  transition: all 0.5s ease;
}



.hud-inner {
  inset: 15px;
  border: 5px double rgba(0, 210, 255, 0.3);
  border-left-color: #00D2FF;
  border-right-color: #00D2FF;
  animation: spinLeft 15s linear infinite;
}

.hud-pulse {
  inset: -10px;
  border: 1px solid rgba(123, 97, 255, 0.2);
  animation: sonarPulse 3s infinite ease-out;
  opacity: 0;
}

/* Hard-Crop Circle Vault for the Master Photo */
.avatar-crop-zone {
  position: relative;
  width: 320px;
  height: 320px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  overflow: hidden;
  border: 4px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
  background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(10, 25, 47, 0.8) 0%, #0b1524 100%);
  box-shadow: inset 0 0 50px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);
  z-index: 2;
}

.master-subject-img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
  object-position: center top;
  transition: transform 0.6s ease;
}

.avatar-hud-container:hover .master-subject-img {
  transform: scale(1.08);
}

/* Animations Array for HUD Logic */
@keyframes spinRight {
  100% { transform: rotate(360deg); }
}

@keyframes spinLeft {
  100% { transform: rotate(-360deg); }
}

@keyframes sonarPulse {
  0% { transform: scale(1); opacity: 0.8; }
  100% { transform: scale(1.15); opacity: 0; }
}

/* Mobile Constraint Recovery */
@media (max-width: 1024px) {
  .reach-out-grid { gap: 40px; }
  .avatar-hud-container { width: 320px; height: 320px; }
  .avatar-crop-zone { width: 260px; height: 260px; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .reach-out-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 60px; text-align: center; }
  .reach-social-deck { justify-content: center; }
  .reach-link:hover { transform: translateY(-3px); }
  .reach-headline-gradient { font-size: 2.5rem; }
  .reach-out-avatar-system { order: -1; } /* Push photo to top on mobile */
}

/* ==========================================================================
   CUSTOM CURSOR
   ========================================================================== */
#custom-cursor-container {
  position: fixed;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100vw;
  height: 100vh;
  pointer-events: none;
  z-index: 999999;
}

.cursor-ring {
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: 0;
  width: 26px;
  height: 26px;
  border: 2px solid #1b74fd;
  border-radius: 50%;
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
  box-shadow: 0 0 15px rgba(27, 116, 253, 0.6);
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
}

.cursor-orbit-dot {
  position: absolute;
  top: -3px; /* Hangs on the edge of the ring */
  right: 2px;
  width: 5px;
  height: 5px;
  background-color: #6fb0ff;
  border-radius: 50%;
  box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(111, 176, 255, 0.9);
}

.cursor-trail {
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: 0;
  border-radius: 50%;
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
}

.trail-1 {
  width: 6px; height: 6px;
  background-color: rgba(27, 116, 253, 0.8);
  box-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(27, 116, 253, 0.6);
}

.trail-2 {
  width: 4px; height: 4px;
  background-color: rgba(27, 116, 253, 0.5);
  box-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(27, 116, 253, 0.4);
}

.trail-3 {
  width: 2px; height: 2px;
  background-color: rgba(27, 116, 253, 0.3);
}

/* --- Hover Popup System --- */
.project-popup {
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: 0;
  width: 1100px;
  background: #1a1b26; /* Dark navy matching screenshot */
  border-radius: 4px;
  box-shadow: 0 20px 40px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5), 0 0 0 1px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
  padding: 40px;
  color: #ffffff;
  z-index: 9999;
  opacity: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
  transform: translateY(10px);
  transition: opacity 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease;
  font-family: "Inter", sans-serif;
}

.project-popup.is-active {
  opacity: 1;
  pointer-events: auto;
  transform: translateY(0);
}

.popup-content {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1.8fr 1fr;
  gap: 50px;
}

.popup-title {
  font-size: 22px;
  font-weight: 500;
  margin: 0 0 15px 0;
}

.popup-subtitle {
  font-size: 13px;
  font-weight: 400;
  color: #e0e0e0;
  margin: 0 0 30px 0;
}

.popup-section-title {
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 600;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
  margin: 0 0 15px 0;
  color: #ffffff;
}

.popup-text {
  font-size: 13px;
  line-height: 1.6;
  color: #d0d0d0;
  margin: 0 0 25px 0;
}

.popup-list {
  list-style: disc;
  padding-left: 20px;
  margin: 0 0 25px 0;
  font-size: 13px;
  line-height: 1.6;
  color: #d0d0d0;
}

.popup-list--spaced li {
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}


/* Custom KNIME Popup Layout */
.popup-content-custom {
  max-width: 900px;
}
.popup-custom-layout {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 2fr;
  gap: 30px;
}

/* Stacking utility to prevent layout shift */
.stack-container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-rows: 1fr auto; /* Text gets flexible space, buttons go at bottom */
}
  .stack-items-wrapper {
    position: relative;
    display: block;
  }
  .stack-item {
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    opacity: 0;
    pointer-events: none;
    visibility: hidden;
    transition: opacity 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease;
  }
  .stack-item.active-state {
    position: relative;
    opacity: 1;
    pointer-events: auto;
    visibility: visible;
  }
.popup-buttons {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 15px;
}
.popup-btn {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  padding: 12px 24px;
  background-color: #191a2d; /* Title menu dark navy */
  color: #ffffff;
  border-radius: 9999px; /* Pill shape */
  text-decoration: none;
  font-weight: 500;
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  transition: all 0.3s ease;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
}
.popup-btn:hover, .popup-btn-active {
  background-color: #ffffff;
  color: #191a2d;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
}
.popup-btn i {
  font-size: 1.2rem;
}
.popup-image-container {
  width: 100%;
  border-radius: 8px;
  overflow: hidden;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 20px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
}
.popup-dashboard-img {
  width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  display: block;
}

/* Modal Styles */
.modal-overlay {
  position: fixed;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100vw;
  height: 100vh;
  background-color: rgba(10, 11, 20, 0.85);
  backdrop-filter: blur(5px);
  z-index: 9999;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  opacity: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
  transition: opacity 0.3s ease;
}
.modal-overlay.is-active {
  opacity: 1;
  pointer-events: all;
}
.modal-container {
  background-color: #1a1c29;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
  border-radius: 12px;
  box-shadow: 0 10px 40px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
  padding: 40px;
  max-width: 900px;
  width: 90%;
  position: relative;
  transform: translateY(20px);
  transition: transform 0.3s ease;
}
.modal-overlay.is-active .modal-container {
  transform: translateY(0);
}
.modal-close {
  position: absolute;
  top: 20px;
  right: 20px;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5);
  font-size: 1.5rem;
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: color 0.2s ease;
}
.modal-close:hover {
  color: #fff;
}

@media (max-width: 1024px) {
  .project-popup {
    display: none !important; /* Disable hover popups on tablets and mobile to preserve flow */
  }
}