UX Spacing & Layout Skill

Fluid spacing system using Utopia scale with container query inline (cqi) units. This skill covers spacing tokens, layout patterns, and visual rhythm.

Space Scale

The project uses Utopia fluid spacing with cqi units. Sizes interpolate based on container width.

IMPORTANT: cqi units require container-type: inline-size on an ancestor.

Space Tokens

Token Min (320px) Max (1240px) Usage

--space-3xs

4px 6px Hairline gaps

--space-2xs

8px 11px Tight spacing

--space-xs

12px 17px Compact gaps

--space-s

16px 22px Standard small

--space-m

24px 33px Standard medium

--space-l

32px 44px Generous spacing

--space-xl

48px 67px Section breaks

--space-2xl

64px 89px Major sections

--space-3xl

96px 133px Page-level gaps

One-Up Pairs

For asymmetric spacing relationships:

Token Values Usage

--space-3xs-2xs

4px → 11px Micro to tight

--space-2xs-xs

8px → 17px Tight to compact

--space-xs-s

12px → 22px Compact to standard

--space-s-m

16px → 33px Standard progression

--space-m-l

24px → 44px Medium to generous

--space-l-xl

32px → 67px Section transitions

Usage Patterns

Padding

/* Compact element */ .chip { padding: var(--space-2xs) var(--space-xs); }

/* Standard button */ .button { padding: var(--space-s) var(--space-m); }

/* Card */ .card { padding: var(--space-m); }

/* Modal */ .modal { padding: var(--space-l); }

Margins

/* Between inline elements */ .inline-group > * + * { margin-inline-start: var(--space-xs); }

/* Between sections */ section + section { margin-block-start: var(--space-xl); }

/* Page container */ .page { margin-inline: auto; padding-inline: var(--space-m); }

Gap (Flexbox/Grid)

/* Tight list */ .list-tight { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: var(--space-2xs); }

/* Standard stack */ .stack { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: var(--space-s); }

/* Card grid */ .grid { display: grid; gap: var(--space-m); }

/* Icon + text */ .icon-text { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: var(--space-xs); }

Layout Utilities

u-stack (Vertical)

u-stack[gap="3xs"] { gap: var(--space-3xs); } u-stack[gap="2xs"] { gap: var(--space-2xs); } u-stack[gap="xs"] { gap: var(--space-xs); } u-stack[gap="s"] { gap: var(--space-s); } u-stack[gap="m"] { gap: var(--space-m); } u-stack[gap="l"] { gap: var(--space-l); } u-stack[gap="xl"] { gap: var(--space-xl); }

u-row (Horizontal)

u-row[gap="xs"] { gap: var(--space-xs); } u-row[gap="s"] { gap: var(--space-s); } u-row[gap="m"] { gap: var(--space-m); }

Container Widths

.u-container { width: min(100% - var(--space-m) * 2, var(--max-width, 1200px)); margin-inline: auto; }

.narrow { --max-width: 600px; } .medium { --max-width: 900px; } .wide { --max-width: 1200px; }

Visual Rhythm

Consistent Spacing Rules

• Related items: Use --space-2xs to --space-xs

• Grouped elements: Use --space-s to --space-m

• Sections: Use --space-l to --space-xl

• Page breaks: Use --space-2xl to --space-3xl

Example Component

.card { /* Card padding */ padding: var(--space-m);

/* Internal spacing */ display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: var(--space-s); }

.card-header { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: var(--space-xs); }

.card-content { /* Paragraph spacing */ display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: var(--space-2xs); }

.card-actions { /* Button group */ display: flex; gap: var(--space-xs); margin-block-start: var(--space-s); }

Responsive Spacing

Container Queries

/* Compact on small containers */ @container (max-width: 400px) { .card { padding: var(--space-s); gap: var(--space-xs); } }

/* Generous on large containers */ @container (min-width: 800px) { .card { padding: var(--space-l); gap: var(--space-m); } }

Asymmetric Spacing

Use one-up pairs for progressive spacing:

.section { /* Tight top, generous bottom */ padding-block: var(--space-s-m) var(--space-m-l); }

Common Patterns

Form Layout

.form { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: var(--space-m); }

.form-field { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: var(--space-2xs); }

.form-actions { display: flex; gap: var(--space-s); margin-block-start: var(--space-s); }

Navigation

.nav { display: flex; gap: var(--space-xs); padding: var(--space-2xs); }

.nav-item { padding: var(--space-2xs) var(--space-s); }

Dialog/Modal

.modal { padding: var(--space-l); }

.modal-header { padding-block-end: var(--space-m); border-block-end: 1px solid var(--theme-outline); }

.modal-body { padding-block: var(--space-m); }

.modal-footer { padding-block-start: var(--space-m); display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; gap: var(--space-s); }

Avoid

/* DON'T: Fixed pixel values */ .bad { padding: 16px; margin: 24px; }

/* DON'T: Magic numbers */ .bad { gap: 13px; }

/* DON'T: Inconsistent spacing */ .bad { padding: 10px 20px 15px 25px; }

Do

/* DO: Use space tokens */ .good { padding: var(--space-s); margin: var(--space-m); }

/* DO: Consistent relationships */ .good { padding: var(--space-s) var(--space-m); }