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

    :root {
      --indigo:   #1E1B4B;
      --indigo2:  #312E81;
      --saffron:  #F97316;
      --saffron-l:#FED7AA;
      --white:    #FFFFFF;
      --offwhite: #F8F7FF;
      --border:   #E5E7EB;
      --muted:    #6B7280;
      --text:     #1F2937;
      --radius:   12px;
      --shadow:   0 4px 24px rgba(30,27,75,.09);
      --ink:       #1A1A1A;
      --ink-lt:    #3D3D3D;
      --cobalt:    #1B4FD8;   /* single accent — electric, not safe */
      --cobalt-lt: #EBF0FF;
      --cobalt-dk: #1340B0;
      --amber:     #C97B10;
      --parchment: #F7F4EE;   /* warm off-white, not cream */
      --rule:      #D8D3C8;
      --chalk:     #FFFFFF;
      --muted:     #6B6456;
      --green:     #1A6B3C;
      --red-soft:  #8B2020;
      --r:         4px;
      --max:       780px;
      --wide:      1120px;
    }

    html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }

    body {
      font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
      background: var(--white);
      color: var(--text);
      line-height: 1.8;
      font-size: 17px;
    }

    /* ── PROGRESS BAR (SIGNATURE ELEMENT) ── */
    #progress-bar {
      position: fixed; top: 81px; left: 0; z-index: 200;
      height: 3px; width: 0%;
      background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--saffron), var(--indigo2));
      transition: width .1s linear;
    }

    /* ── BREADCRUMB ── */
    .breadcrumb-bar { background: var(--offwhite); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); padding: 9px 0; margin-top: 75px; }
    .breadcrumb-bar .container { display: flex; }
    .breadcrumb-bar ol { display: flex; gap: 6px; list-style: none; font-size: .8rem; color: var(--muted); margin-bottom: -7px;}
    .breadcrumb-bar li + li::before { content: '›'; margin-right: 6px; }
    .breadcrumb-bar a { color: var(--indigo2); text-decoration: none; font-weight: 500; }
    .breadcrumb-bar a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }

    /* ── CONTAINER ── */
    .container { margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 24px; }

    /* ── HERO ── */
    .hero {
      background: linear-gradient(150deg, var(--indigo) 0%, #2D2A7A 55%, #1E1B4B 100%);
      padding: 72px 0 64px;
      position: relative; overflow: hidden;
    }
    .hero::after {
      content: '';
      position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0;
      width: 50%; background: radial-gradient(ellipse at 80% 50%, rgba(249,115,22,.12) 0%, transparent 65%);
      pointer-events: none;
    }
    .hero-inner { position: relative; z-index: 1; }
    .hero-meta { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; margin-bottom: 18px; flex-wrap: wrap; }
    .hero-tag {
      display: inline-block; font-size: .72rem; font-weight: 700;
      letter-spacing: .1em; text-transform: uppercase;
      background: rgba(249,115,22,.18); color: #FED7AA;
      padding: 4px 12px; border-radius: 999px;
    }
    .hero-date { color: #9CA3AF; font-size: .82rem; }
    .hero-read { color: #9CA3AF; font-size: .82rem; }
    .hero h1 {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: clamp(1.9rem, 4.5vw, 3rem);
      font-weight: 800; color: #fff;
      line-height: 1.18; max-width: 780px;
      margin-bottom: 18px;
    }
    .hero h1 em { color: var(--saffron); font-style: normal; }
    .hero-desc { color: #A5B4FC; font-size: 1.1rem; max-width: 680px; margin-bottom: 28px; line-height: 1.7; }
    .hero-img {
      margin-top: 44px; border-radius: 16px; overflow: hidden;
      box-shadow: 0 24px 64px rgba(0,0,0,.45);
      max-height: 440px;
    }
    .hero-img img { width: 100%; height: 440px; object-fit: cover; display: block; }

    /* ── AUTHOR ROW ── */
    .author-row {
      background: var(--offwhite); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
      padding: 14px 0;
    }
    .author-inner { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 16px; flex-wrap: wrap; }
    .author-avatar {
      width: 40px; height: 40px; border-radius: 50%;
      background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--indigo2), var(--saffron));
      display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
      color: #fff; font-weight: 700; font-size: .95rem; flex-shrink: 0;
    }
    .author-info { flex: 1; }
    .author-name { font-weight: 600; font-size: .9rem; color: var(--indigo); }
    .author-title { font-size: .78rem; color: var(--muted); }
    .share-bar { display: flex; gap: 8px; align-items: center; margin-left: auto; }
    .share-bar span { font-size: .78rem; color: var(--muted); font-weight: 500; }
    .share-btn {
      display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 5px;
      background: var(--indigo); color: #fff;
      padding: 6px 13px; border-radius: 6px;
      font-size: .78rem; font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none;
      transition: opacity .2s;
    }
    .share-btn:hover { opacity: .85; }

    /* ── ARTICLE LAYOUT ── */
    .article-wrap { padding: 60px 0 80px; }
    .article-layout { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 400px; gap: 52px; align-items: start; }

    /* ── MAIN CONTENT ── */
    .article-body h2 {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: 1.7rem; font-weight: 700;
      color: var(--indigo); margin: 52px 0 18px;
      line-height: 1.25;
    }
    .article-body h3 {
      font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
      font-size: 1.25rem; font-weight: 700;
      color: var(--indigo); margin: 34px 0 12px;
    }
    .article-body p { margin-bottom: 18px; color: #374151; line-height: 1.85; }
    .article-body ul, .article-body ol { margin: 0 0 18px 22px; }
    .article-body li { margin-bottom: 9px; color: #374151; line-height: 1.75; }
    .article-body strong { color: var(--indigo); font-weight: 700; }
    .article-body a { color: var(--indigo2); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 3px; }

    /* Pull quote */
    .pull-quote {
      border-left: 4px solid var(--saffron);
      margin: 36px 0; padding: 18px 24px;
      background: #FFF7ED;
      border-radius: 0 10px 10px 0;
    }
    .pull-quote p { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 1.15rem; color: var(--indigo); font-style: italic; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0; }

    /* Stat callout */
    .stat-callout {
      display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3,1fr); gap: 20px;
      margin: 36px 0; background: var(--indigo);
      border-radius: var(--radius); padding: 30px 24px;
    }
    .stat-callout .stat strong { display: block; font-family: 'Playfair Display',serif; font-size: 2rem; font-weight: 800; color: var(--saffron); }
    .stat-callout .stat span { font-size: .82rem; color: #C7D2FE; font-weight: 500; }

    /* Inline image */
    .inline-img { margin: 36px 0; border-radius: var(--radius); overflow: hidden; box-shadow: var(--shadow); }
    .inline-img img { width: 100%; max-height: 380px; object-fit: cover; display: block; }
    .inline-img figcaption { font-size: .78rem; color: var(--muted); text-align: center; padding: 8px 12px; background: var(--offwhite); }

    /* Checklist */
    .checklist { list-style: none; margin: 0 0 20px; padding: 0; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 10px; }
    .checklist li { display: flex; gap: 10px; align-items: flex-start; }
    .checklist li::before { content: '✔'; color: var(--saffron); font-weight: 800; flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 3px; }

    /* Warning / tip box */
    .tip-box {
      background: #EEF2FF; border: 1px solid #C7D2FE;
      border-radius: var(--radius); padding: 20px 22px; margin: 28px 0;
    }
    .tip-box .tip-label { font-size: .72rem; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: .1em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--indigo2); margin-bottom: 8px; }
    .tip-box p { margin: 0; font-size: .95rem; }

    /* Mid-article CTA ribbon */
    .cta-ribbon {
      background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--saffron) 0%, #EA580C 100%);
      border-radius: var(--radius); padding: 28px 30px;
      margin: 44px 0; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 24px; flex-wrap: wrap;
    }
    .cta-ribbon p { color: #fff; font-weight: 600; font-size: 1rem; margin: 0; flex: 1; }
    .cta-ribbon a {
      background: #fff; color: var(--saffron);
      padding: 11px 22px; border-radius: 8px;
      font-weight: 700; font-size: .9rem; white-space: nowrap;
      text-decoration: none; flex-shrink: 0; transition: transform .2s;
    }
    .cta-ribbon a:hover { transform: scale(1.03); }

    /* Compare table */
    
    .compare-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 28px 0 18px; font-size: .92rem;  overflow-x: auto;}
    .compare-table th { background: var(--indigo); color: #fff; padding: 12px 16px; text-align: left; font-weight: 600; font-size: .85rem; }
    .compare-table td { padding: 11px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); color: var(--text); }
    .compare-table tr:nth-child(even) td { background: var(--offwhite); }
    .compare-table .yes { color: #16A34A; font-weight: 700; }
    .compare-table .no  { color: #DC2626; }

    /* Service cards in article */
    .service-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 18px; margin: 28px 0; }
    .srv-card {
      border: 1px solid var(--border); border-radius: var(--radius);
      padding: 22px 18px; background: #fff;
      transition: box-shadow .2s, border-color .2s;
    }
    .srv-card:hover { box-shadow: var(--shadow); border-color: #C7D2FE; }
    .srv-card .srv-icon { font-size: 1.6rem; margin-bottom: 10px; }
    .srv-card h3 { font-size: 1rem; color: var(--indigo); margin-bottom: 8px; }
    .srv-card p { font-size: 1rem; color: var(--muted); margin: 0; line-height: 1.65; }

    /* FAQ */
    .faq-list { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 14px; margin-top: 28px; }
    .faq-item { border: 1px solid var(--border); border-radius: var(--radius); overflow: hidden; background: #fff; }
    .faq-q {
      width: 100%; background: none; border: none; cursor: pointer;
      display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center;
      padding: 18px 22px; text-align: left;
      font-family: 'Inter',sans-serif; font-size: .97rem; font-weight: 600;
      color: var(--indigo); gap: 12px;
    }
    .faq-q .arrow { flex-shrink: 0; transition: transform .25s; font-size: 1.2rem; color: var(--saffron); }
    .faq-a { max-height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height .35s ease, padding .35s; padding: 0 22px; font-size: .93rem; color: #374151; line-height: 1.8; }
    .faq-item.open .faq-a { max-height: 500px; padding: 0 22px 18px; }
    .faq-item.open .arrow { transform: rotate(45deg); }

    /* ── SIDEBAR ── */
    .sidebar { position: sticky; top: 76px; }
    .toc-card {
      background: var(--offwhite); border: 1px solid var(--border);
      border-radius: var(--radius); padding: 4px 22px 24px 22px; margin-bottom: 4px;
    }
    .toc-card h4 { font-family: 'Playfair Display',serif; font-size: 1rem; font-weight: 700; color: var(--indigo); margin-bottom: 6px; border-bottom: 2px solid var(--saffron); padding-bottom: 10px; }
    .toc-list { list-style: none; display: flex; flex-direction: column; padding-left: 0; }
    .toc-list a { color: var(--indigo2); font-size: .85rem; font-weight: 500; text-decoration: none; line-height: 1.5; display: block; padding: 4px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; transition: color .2s, border-color .2s; }
    .toc-list a:hover { color: var(--saffron); border-color: var(--saffron-l); }
    .toc-counter { display: inline-flex; width: 20px; height: 20px; border-radius: 50%; background: var(--indigo); color: #fff; font-size: .68rem; font-weight: 700; align-items: center; justify-content: center; margin-right: 7px; flex-shrink: 0; vertical-align: middle; }

    .sidebar-cta {
      background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--indigo) 0%, var(--indigo2) 100%);
      border-radius: var(--radius); padding: 26px 22px; text-align: center;
      margin-bottom: 24px;
    }
    .sidebar-cta h4 { font-family: 'Playfair Display',serif; color: #fff; font-size: 1.1rem; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 1.3; }
    .sidebar-cta p { color: #C7D2FE; font-size: .85rem; margin-bottom: 18px; }
    .sidebar-cta a {
      display: block; background: var(--saffron); color: #fff;
      padding: 11px 16px; border-radius: 8px; font-weight: 700; font-size: .9rem;
      text-decoration: none; transition: opacity .2s;
    }
    .sidebar-cta a:hover { opacity: .88; }

    .rating-card {
      background: #fff; border: 1px solid var(--border);
      border-radius: var(--radius); padding: 20px 18px; text-align: center;
    }
    .rating-stars { font-size: 1.3rem; color: #F59E0B; letter-spacing: 2px; }
    .rating-score { font-family: 'Playfair Display',serif; font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 800; color: var(--indigo); margin: 4px 0; }
    .rating-label { font-size: .78rem; color: var(--muted); }

    /* ── RELATED POSTS ── */
    .related-section { background: var(--offwhite); border-top: 1px solid var(--border); padding: 64px 0; }
    .related-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3,1fr); gap: 24px; margin-top: 32px; }
    .related-card {
      background: #fff; border: 1px solid var(--border);
      border-radius: var(--radius); overflow: hidden;
      transition: box-shadow .2s, transform .2s;
    }
    .related-card:hover { box-shadow: var(--shadow); transform: translateY(-3px); }
    .related-card img { width: 100%; height: 170px; object-fit: cover; display: block; }
    .related-card-body { padding: 18px; }
    .related-card-tag { font-size: .72rem; font-weight: 700; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: .08em; color: var(--saffron); margin-bottom: 7px; }
    .related-card h3 { font-family: 'Playfair Display',serif; font-size: 1rem; color: var(--indigo); margin-bottom: 9px; line-height: 1.35; }
    .related-card p { font-size: .83rem; color: var(--muted); margin: 0; }
    .related-card a { text-decoration: none; }

    /* ── FINAL CTA ── */
    .final-cta {
      background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--indigo) 0%, #2D2A7A 100%);
      padding: 80px 0; text-align: center;
    }
    .final-cta h2 { font-family: 'Playfair Display',serif; font-size: clamp(1.6rem,3vw,2.2rem); color: #fff; margin-bottom: 14px; }
    .final-cta p { color: #A5B4FC; font-size: 1.05rem; max-width: 580px; margin: 0 auto 32px; }
    .cta-btns { display: flex; gap: 14px; justify-content: center; flex-wrap: wrap; }
    .btn-saffron { background: var(--saffron); color: #fff; padding: 14px 30px; border-radius: 9px; font-weight: 700; font-size: 1rem; text-decoration: none; transition: opacity .2s; }
    .btn-saffron:hover { opacity: .88; }
    .btn-ghost { border: 2px solid rgba(255,255,255,.25); color: #fff; padding: 14px 30px; border-radius: 9px; font-weight: 600; font-size: 1rem; text-decoration: none; transition: border-color .2s; }
    .btn-ghost:hover { border-color: #fff; }

    /* ═══ CITY TIER TABLES ═══ */
.tier-header {
  display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 14px; margin: 40px 0 20px;
}
.tier-badge {
  flex-shrink: 0;
  font-family: 'DM Mono', monospace; font-size: .72rem; font-weight: 500;
  padding: 5px 12px; border-radius: 100px; letter-spacing: .8px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}
.tier-badge.t1 { background: #1B4FD8; color: #fff; }
.tier-badge.t2 { background: #1A6B3C; color: #fff; }
.tier-badge.t3 { background: #c97b10; color: #fff; }
.tier-badge.t4 { background: var(--ink-lt); color: #fff; }

.tier-header h2 {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 1.5rem; font-weight: 700;
  margin: 0; padding: 0; border: none; color: var(--ink);
}

.city-table {
  width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;
  margin-bottom: 32px; font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif;
  font-size: 1rem;
  overflow-x: auto;
}
.city-table thead tr {
  background: var(--ink); color: var(--chalk);
}
.city-table thead th {
  padding: 10px 14px; text-align: left; font-weight: 600;
  font-size: .75rem; letter-spacing: .6px; text-transform: uppercase;
}
.city-table tbody tr { border-bottom: 1px solid var(--rule); }
.city-table tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: var(--parchment); }
.city-table tbody tr:hover { background: var(--cobalt-lt); }
.city-table td { padding: 11px 14px; vertical-align: top; line-height: 1.5; color: var(--ink-lt); }
.city-table td:first-child { font-weight: 700; color: var(--ink); white-space: nowrap; }
.city-table td:nth-child(2) {
  font-family: 'DM Mono', monospace; font-size: .72rem;
  color: var(--cobalt); font-weight: 500;
}

/* ═══ INDUSTRY TABLE ═══ */
.industry-grid {
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 14px; margin: 24px 0 36px;
}
.ind-card {
  background: var(--parchment);
  border-radius: var(--r); padding: 16px 18px;
  border-left: 3px solid var(--cobalt);
}
.ind-card h4 {
  font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif; font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 1rem; color: var(--ink); margin-bottom: 6px;
}
.ind-card p {
  font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif; font-size:1rem;
  color: var(--muted); margin: 0; line-height: 1.5;
}

/* ═══ PRIORITY ROADMAP ═══ */
.roadmap { margin: 28px 0 36px; }
.roadmap-round {
  border: 1px solid var(--rule); border-radius: 8px;
  margin-bottom: 14px; overflow: hidden;
}
.roadmap-head {
  background: var(--ink); padding: 12px 18px;
  display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px;
}
.roadmap-head .rnd {
  font-family: 'DM Mono', monospace; font-size: .72rem;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,.5); letter-spacing: .8px; text-transform: uppercase;
}
.roadmap-head .rtitle {
  font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif; font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 1rem; color: var(--chalk);
}
.roadmap-body {
  padding: 14px 18px;
  font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 1rem;
  color: var(--ink-lt); line-height: 1.6;
}
/* ═══ CONCLUSION BOX ═══ */
.conclusion-box {
  background: var(--ink); border-radius: 12px;
  padding: 36px 36px; margin-top: 48px;
}
.conclusion-box h3 {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 1.4rem; color: var(--chalk); margin-bottom: 14px;
}
.conclusion-box p {
  color: rgba(255,255,255,.72); font-size: .96rem;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.conclusion-box .cta-row { margin-top: 22px; display: flex; gap: 12px; flex-wrap: wrap; }
.conclusion-box a.btn {
  font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif; font-weight: 700;
  padding: 12px 24px; border-radius: var(--r);
  font-size: .9rem; text-decoration: none; display: inline-block;
}
.btn-primary-c { background: var(--cobalt); color: #fff; }
.btn-primary-c:hover { background: var(--cobalt-dk); color: #fff; }
.btn-ghost-c {
  border: 1.5px solid rgba(255,255,255,.3); color: rgba(255,255,255,.75);
}
.btn-ghost-c:hover { border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.75); color: #fff; }

.article-footer {
  max-width: var(--max); margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 24px 80px;
}
.author-card {
  background: var(--parchment); border-radius: 10px;
  padding: 24px 28px;
  display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 18px;
  border: 1px solid var(--rule);
}
.author-avatar {
  flex-shrink: 0; width: 52px; height: 52px;
  border-radius: 50%; background: var(--cobalt);
  display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 1.4rem;
  color: #fff; font-weight: 700;
}
.author-info h4 {
  font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif; font-weight: 700;
  font-size: .92rem; color: var(--ink); margin-bottom: 4px;
}
.author-info p {
  font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif; font-size: .82rem;
  color: var(--muted); margin: 0; line-height: 1.5;
}
    /* ── RESPONSIVE ── */
    @media (max-width: 900px) {
      .article-layout { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
      .sidebar { position: static; }
      .service-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
      .stat-callout { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
      .related-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
      .footer-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
      .stat-row { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
      .stat-row .stat-cell:nth-child(3) { border-top: 1px solid var(--rule); border-right: none; grid-column: 1/-1; }
      .industry-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    }
    @media (max-width: 600px) {
      nav .nav-links, nav .nav-cta { display: none; }
      .stat-callout { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
      .related-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
      .footer-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
      .share-bar { display: none; }
      .c-table {width: 350px; overflow-x: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;}
      .cta-ribbon {display: block;}
      .breadcrumb-bar .container {padding: 0 4px}
      .breadcrumb-bar {margin-top: 55px;}
      .breadcrumb-bar ol {padding-left: 0; font-size: .7rem;}
      #progress-bar {top:58px}
      .stat-row { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
      .stat-row .stat-cell { border-right: none; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--rule); }
      .stat-row .stat-cell:last-child { border-bottom: none; }

    }

    /* Section heading IDs for anchor scroll */
    h2[id], h3[id] { scroll-margin-top: 90px; }