responsive-layout-builder

Responsive Layout Builder

Instructions

When building responsive layouts:

1. Identify the layout pattern (grid, sidebar, cards, etc.)
2. Start mobile-first
3. Use appropriate CSS technique (Grid vs Flexbox)
4. Add breakpoints for larger screens
5. Test across viewports

Breakpoints

/* Tailwind defaults */
sm: 640px   /* Small devices */
md: 768px   /* Tablets */
lg: 1024px  /* Laptops */
xl: 1280px  /* Desktops */
2xl: 1536px /* Large screens */

/* Custom CSS */
@media (min-width: 640px) { }
@media (min-width: 768px) { }
@media (min-width: 1024px) { }

Common Layout Patterns

1. Holy Grail Layout

// Tailwind CSS
<div className="min-h-screen flex flex-col">
  <header className="h-16 bg-white border-b">Header</header>

  <div className="flex-1 flex">
    <aside className="hidden md:block w-64 bg-gray-50 border-r">
      Sidebar
    </aside>
    <main className="flex-1 p-6">
      Main Content
    </main>
  </div>

  <footer className="h-16 bg-white border-t">Footer</footer>
</div>

/* Plain CSS */
.layout {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-rows: auto 1fr auto;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  min-height: 100vh;
}

@media (min-width: 768px) {
  .layout {
    grid-template-columns: 250px 1fr;
  }

  .header, .footer {
    grid-column: 1 / -1;
  }
}

2. Responsive Card Grid

// Tailwind - Auto-fit cards
<div className="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 xl:grid-cols-4 gap-6">
  {items.map(item => (
    <Card key={item.id} {...item} />
  ))}
</div>

// Auto-fill with minimum width
<div className="grid grid-cols-[repeat(auto-fill,minmax(280px,1fr))] gap-6">
  {items.map(item => (
    <Card key={item.id} {...item} />
  ))}
</div>

/* Plain CSS */
.card-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(280px, 1fr));
  gap: 1.5rem;
}

3. Sidebar Layout

// Fixed sidebar, scrollable content
<div className="flex h-screen">
  <aside className="w-64 flex-shrink-0 overflow-y-auto border-r bg-gray-50">
    <nav className="p-4">Sidebar Nav</nav>
  </aside>

  <main className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto">
    <div className="p-6">Main Content</div>
  </main>
</div>

// Collapsible sidebar
<div className="flex h-screen">
  <aside className={cn(
    "flex-shrink-0 overflow-y-auto border-r bg-gray-50 transition-all",
    isOpen ? "w-64" : "w-16"
  )}>
    <nav className="p-4">...</nav>
  </aside>
  <main className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-6">...</main>
</div>