/*
Theme Name: TheAcademicEssays
Theme URI: https://theacademicessays.com
Author: TheAcademicEssays
Author URI: https://theacademicessays.com
Description: Lightweight, SEO-optimized, fully responsive WordPress theme for TheAcademicEssays — a professional academic essay writing service. Clean white and gray design with near-black typography and orange call-to-action buttons (customizable, with an attention pulse animation), an editorial hero with marker-highlight headline, sample-work showcase, numbered pillars, vertical process timeline, black stats band, conversion-focused single posts, related posts, comments disabled, and full schema.org structured data.
Version: 1.0.0
Requires at least: 5.9
Tested up to: 6.7
Requires PHP: 7.4
License: GNU General Public License v2 or later
License URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
Text Domain: theacademicessays
Tags: blog, education, light, one-column, custom-colors, featured-images
*/

/* ==========================================================================
   1. Tokens
   ========================================================================== */
:root{
  --tae-bg:#ffffff;           /* white */
  --tae-surface:#ffffff;
  --tae-soft:#f4f4f5;         /* light gray fills */
  --tae-warm:#fff7ed;         /* pale orange for CTA notes */
  --tae-text:#18181b;         /* near-black ink */
  --tae-muted:#71717a;        /* gray */
  --tae-border:#e4e4e7;       /* gray borders */
  --tae-accent:#f97316;       /* orange — overridden by Customizer */
  --tae-accent-hover:#ea580c; /* overridden by Customizer */
  --tae-accent-text:#ffffff;  /* overridden by Customizer */
  --tae-navy:#18181b;         /* black band */
  --tae-radius:14px;
  --tae-shadow:0 1px 3px rgba(24,24,27,.07);
  --tae-max:1160px;
  --tae-content:760px;
  --tae-font-head:'Outfit',system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Arial,sans-serif;
  --tae-font-body:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;
}

/* ==========================================================================
   2. Base
   ========================================================================== */
*,*::before,*::after{box-sizing:border-box}
html{-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%;scroll-behavior:smooth}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){
  html{scroll-behavior:auto}
  *,*::before,*::after{animation:none!important;transition:none!important}
}
body{
  margin:0;background:var(--tae-bg);color:var(--tae-text);
  font-family:var(--tae-font-body);font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.7;
  -webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;
}
img{max-width:100%;height:auto;display:block}
h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6{
  font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-weight:700;line-height:1.25;
  margin:0 0 .6em;color:var(--tae-text);letter-spacing:-.015em;
}
h1{font-size:clamp(1.9rem,4vw,2.6rem)}
h2{font-size:clamp(1.5rem,3vw,1.9rem)}
h3{font-size:1.25rem}
p{margin:0 0 1.2em}
a{color:var(--tae-accent);text-decoration:none}
a:hover{color:var(--tae-accent-hover)}
a:focus-visible,button:focus-visible,input:focus-visible{
  outline:3px solid var(--tae-accent);outline-offset:2px;border-radius:4px;
}
.screen-reader-text{
  clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;width:1px;
  overflow:hidden;position:absolute!important;word-wrap:normal!important;
}
.tae-container{max-width:var(--tae-max);margin:0 auto;padding:0 20px}

/* ==========================================================================
   3. Buttons (Customizer-controlled colors)
   ========================================================================== */
.tae-btn,
.wp-block-button__link,
button[type=submit],
input[type=submit]{
  display:inline-block;background:var(--tae-accent);color:var(--tae-accent-text);
  font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-weight:600;font-size:.95rem;
  padding:.75rem 1.5rem;border:0;border-radius:8px;cursor:pointer;
  text-decoration:none;transition:background .18s ease,transform .18s ease;
}
.tae-btn:hover,
.wp-block-button__link:hover,
button[type=submit]:hover,
input[type=submit]:hover{
  background:var(--tae-accent-hover);color:var(--tae-accent-text);transform:translateY(-1px);
}
.tae-btn--ghost{
  background:transparent;color:var(--tae-text);
  box-shadow:inset 0 0 0 1.5px var(--tae-border);
}
.tae-btn--ghost:hover{background:#fff;color:var(--tae-text);box-shadow:inset 0 0 0 1.5px var(--tae-accent)}
.tae-btn--lg{padding:.95rem 2rem;font-size:1.05rem}

/* Attention pulse on primary buttons ("blinking"). Disabled automatically
   for visitors with prefers-reduced-motion via the rule in section 2. */
@keyframes tae-pulse{
  0%,100%{box-shadow:0 0 0 0 var(--tae-pulse,color-mix(in srgb,var(--tae-accent) 45%,transparent))}
  55%{box-shadow:0 0 0 11px transparent}
}
.tae-btn--pulse{animation:tae-pulse 1.8s ease-out infinite}


/* ==========================================================================
   4. Header
   ========================================================================== */
.tae-header{
  background:var(--tae-surface);border-bottom:1px solid var(--tae-border);
  position:sticky;top:0;z-index:50;
}
.tae-header__inner{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:24px;min-height:70px}
.tae-logo{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-weight:800;font-size:1.3rem;color:var(--tae-text)}
.tae-logo:hover{color:var(--tae-text)}
.tae-logo__mark{width:38px;height:38px;display:block}
.tae-logo__text{letter-spacing:-.02em}
.tae-logo__accent{color:var(--tae-accent)}
.tae-logo img{max-height:42px;width:auto}
.tae-nav{margin-left:auto}
.tae-nav ul{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;display:flex;gap:6px;align-items:center}
.tae-nav a{
  display:block;padding:.55rem .85rem;border-radius:8px;
  color:var(--tae-text);font-weight:500;font-size:.95rem;
}
.tae-nav a:hover{background:var(--tae-soft);color:var(--tae-text)}
.tae-nav .current-menu-item > a{color:var(--tae-accent);font-weight:600}
.tae-header__cta{white-space:nowrap}
.tae-nav-toggle{
  display:none;margin-left:auto;background:none;border:1.5px solid var(--tae-border);
  border-radius:8px;padding:.5rem .7rem;font-size:1.1rem;line-height:1;cursor:pointer;color:var(--tae-text);
}
@media (max-width:860px){
  .tae-nav-toggle{display:block}
  .tae-header__cta{display:none}
  .tae-nav{
    display:none;position:absolute;left:0;right:0;top:100%;
    background:var(--tae-surface);border-bottom:1px solid var(--tae-border);
    padding:10px 20px 16px;margin:0;box-shadow:var(--tae-shadow);
  }
  .tae-nav.is-open{display:block}
  .tae-nav ul{flex-direction:column;align-items:stretch;gap:2px}
}

/* ==========================================================================
   5. Hero (front page)
   ========================================================================== */
.tae-hero{background:var(--tae-surface);border-bottom:1px solid var(--tae-border);padding:72px 0 64px}
.tae-hero__inner{max-width:820px}
.tae-hero__eyebrow{
  display:inline-block;font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-size:.8rem;font-weight:600;
  letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--tae-accent);
  background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--tae-accent) 10%,#fff);
  border:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,var(--tae-accent) 25%,#fff);
  padding:.3rem .75rem;border-radius:999px;margin-bottom:18px;
}
.tae-hero h1{margin-bottom:.5em}
.tae-hero__sub{font-size:1.15rem;color:var(--tae-muted);max-width:640px}
.tae-hero__actions{display:flex;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin-top:26px}
.tae-hero__points{
  display:flex;gap:22px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin-top:30px;padding:0;list-style:none;
  color:var(--tae-muted);font-size:.92rem;
}
.tae-hero__points li::before{content:"✓";color:var(--tae-accent);font-weight:700;margin-right:7px}

/* Stats strip */
.tae-stats{
  display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(150px,1fr));
  gap:14px;margin:34px 0 0;padding:0;
}
.tae-stats__item{
  background:var(--tae-surface);border:1px solid var(--tae-border);
  border-radius:var(--tae-radius);padding:16px 18px;
}
.tae-stats__item dt{font-size:.78rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.07em;color:var(--tae-muted);margin:0 0 4px}
.tae-stats__item dd{font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-weight:800;font-size:1.15rem;margin:0;color:var(--tae-accent)}

/* Why split section */
.tae-why{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:44px;align-items:center}
@media (max-width:860px){.tae-why{grid-template-columns:1fr}}
.tae-why__text p{color:var(--tae-muted);margin-bottom:22px}
.tae-why__list{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}
.tae-why__list li{
  position:relative;padding:.7em 0 .7em 34px;
  border-bottom:1px dashed var(--tae-border);font-size:.97rem;
}
.tae-why__list li:last-child{border-bottom:0}
.tae-why__list li::before{
  content:"✓";position:absolute;left:0;top:.62em;
  width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:50%;
  background:var(--tae-soft);color:var(--tae-accent);
  font-weight:700;font-size:.75rem;display:grid;place-items:center;
}

/* Hero search */
.tae-hero__search{margin-top:28px;max-width:560px}
.tae-hero__search input[type=search]{font-size:1.02rem}
.tae-hero__actions{margin-top:16px}

/* FAQ */
.tae-faq{max-width:820px}
.tae-faq__item{
  background:var(--tae-surface);border:1px solid var(--tae-border);
  border-radius:var(--tae-radius);padding:0;margin-bottom:12px;overflow:hidden;
}
.tae-faq__item summary{
  cursor:pointer;list-style:none;padding:18px 22px;
  font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-weight:600;font-size:1.02rem;
  position:relative;padding-right:52px;
}
.tae-faq__item summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}
.tae-faq__item summary::after{
  content:"+";position:absolute;right:20px;top:50%;transform:translateY(-50%);
  width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;display:grid;place-items:center;
  background:var(--tae-soft);color:var(--tae-accent);font-weight:700;
}
.tae-faq__item[open] summary::after{content:"–"}
.tae-faq__item[open] summary{border-bottom:1px solid var(--tae-border)}
.tae-faq__item p{margin:0;padding:16px 22px 20px;color:var(--tae-muted);font-size:.96rem}

/* ==========================================================================
   6. Sections & subject grid
   ========================================================================== */
.tae-section{padding:60px 0}
.tae-section__head{display:flex;align-items:end;justify-content:space-between;gap:16px;margin-bottom:28px;flex-wrap:wrap}
.tae-section__head p{color:var(--tae-muted);margin:0}
.tae-subjects{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fill,minmax(170px,1fr));gap:12px;padding:0;margin:0;list-style:none}
.tae-subjects a{
  display:block;background:var(--tae-surface);border:1px solid var(--tae-border);
  border-radius:var(--tae-radius);padding:14px 16px;color:var(--tae-text);
  font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-weight:600;font-size:.92rem;
  transition:border-color .18s ease,transform .18s ease;
}
.tae-subjects a:hover{border-color:var(--tae-accent);transform:translateY(-2px)}
.tae-steps{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(230px,1fr));gap:16px}
.tae-step{background:var(--tae-surface);border:1px solid var(--tae-border);border-radius:var(--tae-radius);padding:24px}
.tae-step__num{
  width:34px;height:34px;border-radius:50%;display:grid;place-items:center;
  background:var(--tae-accent);color:var(--tae-accent-text);
  font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-weight:700;margin-bottom:14px;font-size:.95rem;
}
.tae-step p{color:var(--tae-muted);font-size:.95rem;margin:0}
.tae-cta-band{
  background:var(--tae-accent);border-radius:20px;padding:48px 40px;
  display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:24px;flex-wrap:wrap;
}
.tae-cta-band h2{color:#fff;margin:0 0 .25em}
.tae-cta-band p{color:rgba(255,255,255,.85);margin:0}
.tae-cta-band .tae-btn{background:#fff;color:var(--tae-accent)}
.tae-cta-band .tae-btn:hover{background:var(--tae-soft);color:var(--tae-accent-hover)}
.tae-cta-band .tae-btn--pulse{--tae-pulse:rgba(255,255,255,.55)}

/* ==========================================================================
   7. Post cards / archives
   ========================================================================== */
.tae-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fill,minmax(300px,1fr));gap:22px}
.tae-card{
  background:var(--tae-surface);border:1px solid var(--tae-border);
  border-radius:var(--tae-radius);overflow:hidden;display:flex;flex-direction:column;
  transition:box-shadow .18s ease,transform .18s ease;
}
.tae-card:hover{box-shadow:var(--tae-shadow);transform:translateY(-3px)}
.tae-card__thumb{aspect-ratio:16/9;background:var(--tae-soft)}
.tae-card__thumb img{width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover}
.tae-card__body{padding:20px 22px 22px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex:1}
.tae-card__cat{
  font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-size:.72rem;font-weight:600;
  letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--tae-accent);margin-bottom:8px;
}
.tae-card__title{font-size:1.12rem;margin-bottom:.45em}
.tae-card__title a{color:var(--tae-text)}
.tae-card__title a:hover{color:var(--tae-accent)}
.tae-card__excerpt{color:var(--tae-muted);font-size:.93rem;margin:0 0 14px}
.tae-card__meta{margin-top:auto;color:var(--tae-muted);font-size:.82rem}
.tae-archive-head{padding:48px 0 8px}
.tae-archive-head h1{margin-bottom:.2em}
.tae-archive-head p{color:var(--tae-muted);max-width:640px}

/* Pagination — plain crawlable links */
.tae-pagination{margin:40px 0 10px;text-align:center}
.tae-pagination .nav-links{display:inline-flex;gap:6px;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:center}
.tae-pagination .page-numbers{
  display:inline-block;min-width:42px;padding:.55rem .8rem;border-radius:8px;
  background:var(--tae-surface);border:1px solid var(--tae-border);
  color:var(--tae-text);font-weight:600;font-size:.92rem;
}
.tae-pagination .page-numbers:hover{border-color:var(--tae-accent);color:var(--tae-accent)}
.tae-pagination .page-numbers.current{background:var(--tae-accent);border-color:var(--tae-accent);color:var(--tae-accent-text)}
.tae-pagination .page-numbers.dots{border:0;background:none}

/* ==========================================================================
   8. Single post
   ========================================================================== */
.tae-breadcrumbs{font-size:.85rem;color:var(--tae-muted);padding:22px 0 0}
.tae-breadcrumbs a{color:var(--tae-muted)}
.tae-breadcrumbs a:hover{color:var(--tae-accent)}
.tae-breadcrumbs .sep{margin:0 .5em;opacity:.5}
.tae-single-layout{
  display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) 320px;
  gap:34px;align-items:start;padding-top:26px;padding-bottom:60px;
}
.tae-single{max-width:var(--tae-content);min-width:0;margin:0;padding:0}
@media (max-width:960px){
  .tae-single-layout{grid-template-columns:1fr}
  .tae-single{max-width:none}
}

/* Sidebar */
.tae-sidebar{position:sticky;top:92px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:20px}
@media (max-width:960px){.tae-sidebar{position:static}}
.tae-widget{
  background:var(--tae-surface);border:1px solid var(--tae-border);
  border-radius:var(--tae-radius);padding:24px 24px 26px;
}
.tae-widget__title{
  font-size:1.02rem;margin:0 0 16px;padding-bottom:12px;
  border-bottom:2px solid var(--tae-accent);
}
.tae-widget ul{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}
.tae-widget li{margin-bottom:.6em;font-size:.92rem}
.tae-widget a{color:var(--tae-text)}
.tae-widget a:hover{color:var(--tae-accent)}

/* Free features box */
.tae-features{border-top:4px solid var(--tae-accent)}
.tae-features__list{list-style:none;margin:0 0 20px;padding:0}
.tae-features__list li{
  position:relative;padding:.5em 0 .5em 30px;font-size:.92rem;
  color:var(--tae-text);border-bottom:1px dashed var(--tae-border);
}
.tae-features__list li:last-child{border-bottom:0}
.tae-features__list li::before{
  content:"✓";position:absolute;left:0;top:.42em;
  width:20px;height:20px;border-radius:50%;
  background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--tae-accent) 14%,#fff);
  color:var(--tae-accent);font-weight:700;font-size:.72rem;
  display:grid;place-items:center;
}
.tae-features__btn{display:block;text-align:center;width:100%}
.tae-single__header{margin-bottom:26px}
.tae-single__cat{display:inline-block;margin-bottom:12px}
.tae-single__meta{color:var(--tae-muted);font-size:.9rem;display:flex;gap:8px;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center}
.tae-single__thumb{border-radius:var(--tae-radius);overflow:hidden;margin:26px 0}
.tae-entry{
  background:var(--tae-surface);border:1px solid var(--tae-border);
  border-radius:var(--tae-radius);padding:clamp(24px,4vw,44px);
}
.tae-entry > *:first-child{margin-top:0}
.tae-entry h2{margin-top:1.6em}
.tae-entry h3{margin-top:1.4em}
.tae-entry ul,.tae-entry ol{padding-left:1.4em;margin:0 0 1.2em}
.tae-entry li{margin-bottom:.4em}
.tae-entry blockquote{
  margin:1.4em 0;padding:.8em 1.2em;border-left:4px solid var(--tae-accent);
  background:var(--tae-soft);border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;color:var(--tae-muted);
}
.tae-entry table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:1.4em 0;font-size:.95rem}
.tae-entry th,.tae-entry td{border:1px solid var(--tae-border);padding:.6em .8em;text-align:left}
.tae-entry th{background:var(--tae-soft);font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-size:.85rem}
.tae-entry img{border-radius:8px}
.tae-entry code{background:var(--tae-soft);padding:.15em .4em;border-radius:5px;font-size:.9em}
.tae-entry pre{background:#14171c;color:#e8eaf0;padding:1.1em 1.3em;border-radius:8px;overflow:auto;font-size:.88rem}
.tae-entry pre code{background:none;padding:0;color:inherit}
.tae-tags{margin-top:22px;display:flex;gap:8px;flex-wrap:wrap}
.tae-tags a{
  font-size:.8rem;background:var(--tae-surface);border:1px solid var(--tae-border);
  border-radius:999px;padding:.3rem .8rem;color:var(--tae-muted);
}
.tae-tags a:hover{border-color:var(--tae-accent);color:var(--tae-accent)}
.tae-post-cta{
  margin-top:30px;background:var(--tae-surface);border:1px solid var(--tae-border);
  border-left:4px solid var(--tae-accent);border-radius:var(--tae-radius);
  padding:24px 26px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:18px;flex-wrap:wrap;
}
.tae-post-cta strong{font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-size:1.05rem}
.tae-post-cta p{margin:0;color:var(--tae-muted);font-size:.92rem}

/* Related posts */
.tae-related{padding:10px 0 70px}
.tae-related h2{font-size:1.4rem;margin-bottom:20px}

/* ==========================================================================
   9. Footer
   ========================================================================== */
.tae-footer{background:var(--tae-surface);border-top:1px solid var(--tae-border);margin-top:20px}
.tae-footer__grid{
  display:grid;grid-template-columns:2fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;gap:32px;padding:52px 0 36px;
}
.tae-footer h4{font-size:.85rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.08em;color:var(--tae-muted);margin-bottom:14px}
.tae-footer ul{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}
.tae-footer li{margin-bottom:.55em}
.tae-footer a{color:var(--tae-text);font-size:.93rem}
.tae-footer a:hover{color:var(--tae-accent)}
.tae-footer__about{color:var(--tae-muted);font-size:.93rem;max-width:320px}
.tae-footer__bar{
  border-top:1px solid var(--tae-border);padding:18px 0;
  display:flex;justify-content:space-between;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap;
  color:var(--tae-muted);font-size:.85rem;
}
@media (max-width:860px){.tae-footer__grid{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}}
@media (max-width:520px){.tae-footer__grid{grid-template-columns:1fr}}

/* ==========================================================================
   10. Misc (page, search, 404, forms)
   ========================================================================== */
.tae-page{max-width:var(--tae-content);margin:0 auto;padding:48px 20px 70px}
.tae-search-form{display:flex;gap:10px;max-width:480px}
.tae-search-form input[type=search]{
  flex:1;padding:.75rem 1rem;border:1.5px solid var(--tae-border);
  border-radius:8px;font-size:1rem;background:#fff;color:var(--tae-text);
}
.tae-search-form input[type=search]:focus{border-color:var(--tae-accent);outline:none}
.tae-404{text-align:center;padding:90px 20px}
.tae-404 .tae-404__code{font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-size:5rem;font-weight:800;color:var(--tae-accent);line-height:1}
.alignwide{max-width:calc(var(--tae-content) + 160px);margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto}
.alignfull{width:100%;max-width:100%}


/* ==========================================================================
   TheAcademicEssays components
   ========================================================================== */

/* After-title help note (single post) */
.tae-help-note{
  display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:18px;
  flex-wrap:wrap;background:var(--tae-warm);border:1px solid #fed7aa;
  border-radius:var(--tae-radius);padding:16px 20px;margin:18px 0 26px;
}
.tae-help-note p{margin:0;font-weight:600}
.tae-help-note .tae-btn{white-space:nowrap}

/* Guarantee box below the post */
.tae-guarantee{
  background:var(--tae-surface);border:1px solid var(--tae-border);
  border-radius:var(--tae-radius);box-shadow:var(--tae-shadow);
  padding:28px;margin:34px 0 0;
}
.tae-guarantee__badge{
  display:inline-block;background:var(--tae-soft);color:var(--tae-muted);
  font-size:.8rem;font-weight:700;border-radius:999px;padding:4px 12px;margin-bottom:10px;
}
.tae-guarantee h3{margin-bottom:8px}
.tae-guarantee__list{
  list-style:none;margin:14px 0 20px;padding:0;
  display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:8px 22px;
}
.tae-guarantee__list li{padding-left:26px;position:relative}
.tae-guarantee__list li::before{
  content:"\2713";position:absolute;left:0;top:0;
  color:var(--tae-accent);font-weight:800;
}
.tae-guarantee__actions{display:flex;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap}
.tae-guarantee__fineprint{margin:14px 0 0;color:var(--tae-muted);font-size:.85rem}
@media (max-width:640px){.tae-guarantee__list{grid-template-columns:1fr}}

/* Share row */
.tae-share{
  display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;flex-wrap:wrap;
  margin:26px 0 0;padding-top:18px;border-top:1px solid var(--tae-border);
}
.tae-share span{font-weight:700;font-size:.9rem}
.tae-share a{
  display:inline-block;border:1px solid var(--tae-border);border-radius:999px;
  padding:5px 14px;font-size:.85rem;text-decoration:none;color:var(--tae-text);
  background:var(--tae-surface);
}
.tae-share a:hover{border-color:var(--tae-accent);color:var(--tae-accent)}

/* Author box */
.tae-authorbox{
  display:flex;align-items:center;gap:14px;margin:22px 0 0;
  background:var(--tae-soft);border-radius:var(--tae-radius);padding:16px 20px;
}
.tae-authorbox img{border-radius:50%}
.tae-authorbox strong{display:block}
.tae-authorbox span{color:var(--tae-muted);font-size:.9rem}

/* Prev / next navigation */
.tae-postnav{
  display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:14px;margin:26px 0 0;
}
.tae-postnav a{
  display:block;border:1px solid var(--tae-border);border-radius:var(--tae-radius);
  padding:14px 18px;text-decoration:none;color:var(--tae-text);background:var(--tae-surface);
}
.tae-postnav a:hover{border-color:var(--tae-accent)}
.tae-postnav small{display:block;color:var(--tae-muted);margin-bottom:4px}
.tae-postnav .next{text-align:right}
@media (max-width:640px){.tae-postnav{grid-template-columns:1fr}}

/* Sidebar: quest stats */
.tae-stats-side{
  display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:12px;margin:0;
}
.tae-stats-side div{background:var(--tae-soft);border-radius:10px;padding:12px 14px}
.tae-stats-side dd{margin:0;font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-weight:800;font-size:1.05rem}
.tae-stats-side dt{color:var(--tae-muted);font-size:.78rem;margin-top:2px}

/* Homepage category chips reuse .tae-subjects */

/* Mid-band stats on navy */
.tae-band{
  background:var(--tae-navy);border-radius:var(--tae-radius);
  padding:30px;display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);gap:18px;
}
.tae-band div{text-align:center}
.tae-band dd{margin:0;color:#fff;font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-weight:800;font-size:1.5rem}
.tae-band dt{color:#94a3b8;font-size:.85rem;margin-top:4px}
@media (max-width:760px){.tae-band{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}}

/* Single meta avatar */
.tae-single__meta{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;flex-wrap:wrap}
.tae-single__avatar{border-radius:50%;width:30px;height:30px}


/* ==========================================================================
   TheAcademicEssays components
   ========================================================================== */

/* Full-width guarantees strip (reuses checklist look) */
.tae-promises{
  list-style:none;margin:0;padding:26px;background:var(--tae-soft);
  border-radius:var(--tae-radius);
  display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:12px 26px;
}
.tae-promises li{padding-left:26px;position:relative;font-weight:600}
.tae-promises li::before{
  content:"\2713";position:absolute;left:0;top:0;color:var(--tae-accent);font-weight:800;
}
@media (max-width:760px){.tae-promises{grid-template-columns:1fr}}

/* Search form (searchform.php) */
.tae-searchform{display:flex;gap:8px}
.tae-searchform input[type="search"]{
  flex:1;border:1px solid var(--tae-border);border-radius:12px;padding:11px 14px;
  font-size:.95rem;background:var(--tae-surface);color:var(--tae-text);min-width:0;
}
.tae-searchform input[type="search"]:focus{outline:2px solid var(--tae-accent);border-color:transparent}


/* ==========================================================================
   TheAcademicEssays components
   ========================================================================== */

/* Marker highlight in headings */
.tae-highlight{
  background:linear-gradient(transparent 55%, rgba(249,115,22,.35) 55%);
  padding:0 4px;
}

/* Ratings line under hero buttons */
.tae-hero__rating{margin:18px 0 0;color:var(--tae-muted);font-size:.92rem}
.tae-hero__rating strong{color:var(--tae-text)}
.tae-hero__rating .tae-stars{color:var(--tae-accent);letter-spacing:2px;margin-right:6px}

/* Sample work cards */
.tae-samples{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:22px}
.tae-sample{
  background:var(--tae-surface);border:1px solid var(--tae-border);
  border-radius:var(--tae-radius);box-shadow:var(--tae-shadow);padding:22px;
  display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:10px;
}
.tae-sample__subject{
  align-self:flex-start;background:var(--tae-soft);color:var(--tae-muted);
  border-radius:999px;padding:3px 12px;font-size:.78rem;font-weight:700;
}
.tae-sample h3{font-size:1.02rem;margin:0}
.tae-sample__meta{
  display:flex;gap:14px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin-top:auto;
  color:var(--tae-muted);font-size:.85rem;
}
.tae-sample__meta strong{color:var(--tae-accent)}
@media (max-width:860px){.tae-samples{grid-template-columns:1fr}}

/* Numbered pillars (2x2) */
.tae-pillars{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:22px}
.tae-pillar{
  border:1px solid var(--tae-border);border-radius:var(--tae-radius);
  padding:24px;background:var(--tae-surface);
}
.tae-pillar__num{
  font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-weight:800;font-size:2rem;
  color:var(--tae-accent);line-height:1;display:block;margin-bottom:10px;
}
.tae-pillar h3{margin-bottom:6px}
.tae-pillar p{color:var(--tae-muted);margin:0}
@media (max-width:760px){.tae-pillars{grid-template-columns:1fr}}

/* Vertical process timeline */
.tae-vtimeline{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;max-width:720px}
.tae-vtimeline li{
  position:relative;padding:0 0 30px 56px;
}
.tae-vtimeline li::before{
  content:attr(data-step);position:absolute;left:0;top:0;
  width:38px;height:38px;border-radius:50%;
  background:var(--tae-accent);color:var(--tae-accent-text);
  font-family:var(--tae-font-head);font-weight:800;
  display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;
}
.tae-vtimeline li::after{
  content:"";position:absolute;left:18px;top:44px;bottom:6px;
  width:2px;background:var(--tae-border);
}
.tae-vtimeline li:last-child{padding-bottom:0}
.tae-vtimeline li:last-child::after{display:none}
.tae-vtimeline h3{margin-bottom:4px}
.tae-vtimeline p{color:var(--tae-muted);margin:0}

/* Black stats band accents */
.tae-band dd{color:var(--tae-accent)}