:root {
  /* 4px base, stretched at the top for editorial air */
  --space-1: 4px;  --space-2: 8px;   --space-3: 12px; --space-4: 16px;
  --space-5: 24px; --space-6: 32px;  --space-7: 48px; --space-8: 64px;
  --space-9: 96px; --space-10: 128px; --space-11: 192px;

  /* Layout */
  --page-max: 1280px;
  --page-gutter: 24px;        /* mobile */
  --page-gutter-lg: 64px;     /* ≥1024 */
  --grid-columns: 12;
  --grid-gap: 24px;
  --section-gap: var(--space-10);   /* between story beats */

  /* Motifs: dots and lines */
  --dot-size: 6px;            /* the dot: section marker, active state, bullet */
  --dot-size-lg: 10px;
  --line-weight: 1px;         /* the line: never thicker than 1px */
  --line-length-short: 32px;  /* leading rule before a label */
  --line-length-long: 64px;

  /* Radii — geometry only: 0 for planes, full circle for dots and pills */
  --radius-none: 0;
  --radius-sm: 2px;           /* inputs, small chips */
  --radius-full: 999px;       /* pills, dots, avatar */

  /* Borders */
  --border-hair: 1px solid var(--line-hair);
  --border-strong: 1px solid var(--line-strong);

  /* Shadows — almost none; one soft lift for overlays only */
  --shadow-none: none;
  --shadow-overlay: 0 24px 64px -24px rgba(22,36,28,0.35);
}