3.4 Responsive Design Framework

The UI-Agnostic Core operates independently of viewport size through a mobile-first responsive framework. T-shirt sizing (XS-XL) provides consistent breakpoints across all Editions, ensuring predictable behavior from mobile devices to widescreen displays.

Mobile-First Philosophy

All styles begin at the smallest viewport (XS) and progressively enhance for larger screens. This approach ensures:

  • Performance on constrained devices — Mobile users receive only essential styles
  • Progressive enhancement — Larger viewports add layout complexity, not remove it
  • Simplified maintenance — Base styles are the default; overrides are additive

T-Shirt Sizing Breakpoints

Five standardized breakpoints cover the full range of modern devices:

SizeBreakpointTarget DevicesCSS
XS< 600pxMobile phones (portrait)Default (no media query)
S600px – 899pxTablets, large phones (landscape)@media (min-width: 600px)
M900px – 1199pxLaptops, tablets (landscape)@media (min-width: 900px)
L1200px – 1799pxDesktops, external monitors@media (min-width: 1200px)
XL≥ 1800pxWidescreen, high-resolution displays@media (min-width: 1800px)

Implementation Pattern

Responsive styles follow a consistent structure:

/* XS: Mobile (default, no media query) */
.component {
    display: block;
    padding: 1rem;
}

/* S: Tablet */
@media (min-width: 600px) {
    .component {
        padding: 1.5rem;
    }
}

/* M: Laptop */
@media (min-width: 900px) {
    .component {
        display: flex;
        padding: 2rem;
    }
}

/* L: Desktop */
@media (min-width: 1200px) {
    .component {
        max-width: 1200px;
        margin: 0 auto;
    }
}

/* XL: Widescreen */
@media (min-width: 1800px) {
    .component {
        max-width: 1600px;
    }
}

Layout Patterns by Breakpoint

PatternXSSML/XL
NavigationHamburger menuHamburger menuHorizontal navHorizontal nav
Content gridSingle columnTwo columnsThree columnsFour columns
SidebarBelow contentBelow contentSide positionSide position
Typography scaleBase (16px)Base+10%+15%

Testing Requirements

Each Edition must pass responsive testing at all five breakpoints:

  • Visual inspection — No horizontal scroll, no overlapping elements
  • Touch targets — Minimum 44x44px for interactive elements on XS/S
  • Content priority — Critical content visible without scrolling on all sizes
  • Performance — No layout shift during resize (CLS score maintained)

Common Pitfalls

IssueCauseSolution
Horizontal scroll on mobileFixed-width elementsUse max-width: 100% or viewport units
Tiny touch targetsDesktop-sized buttonsMin 44px height/width on XS/S
Hidden contentOverflow: hidden without thoughtTest all breakpoints before shipping
Layout shift on resizeUnset dimensionsReserve space with aspect-ratio or min-height