/* Define the color scheme using CSS variables */
    :root {
        --primary-yellow: #FFD700;
        --secondary-yellow: #FFC107;
        --nav-bg: #0b1220; /* dark nav */
        --nav-text: #f3f4f6;
        --light-bg: #F8F8F8;
        --off-white: #FAFAFA;
        --card-bg: #F5F5F5;
        --medium-gray: #E0E0E0;
        --dark-text: #333333;
        --muted-text: #666666;
    }

    /* Header styles */
    header {
        position: fixed;
        top: 0;
        left: 0;
        width: 100%;
        padding: 0.6rem 2%;
        display: flex;
        justify-content: space-between;
        align-items: center;
        z-index: 1000;
        background: linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(11,18,32,1) 0%, rgba(28,36,50,1) 100%); /* dark gradient */
        color: var(--nav-text);
        box-sizing: border-box;
        border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.04);
        box-shadow: 0 4px 18px rgba(2,6,23,0.6);
    }

    /* logo sizing */
    .logo {
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        text-decoration: none;
        gap: 12px; /* space between logo image and text */
    }
    .logo img {
        height: 44px;
        width: auto;
        max-width: 170px; /* fits nav */
        object-fit: contain;
    }

    /* new brand text beside logo */
    .nav-brand {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        justify-content: center;
        line-height: 1;
    }

    .site-name {
        color: var(--nav-text);
        font-weight: 700;
        font-size: 1rem;
        letter-spacing: 0.2px;
        white-space: nowrap;
    }

    /* ensure navbar brand doesn't shrink on small screens */
    @media (max-width: 960px) {
        .logo img { height: 40px; }
        .site-name { font-size: 0.95rem; }
    }

    /* Desktop Navigation Styles */
    nav a {
        color: var(--nav-text);
        font-size: 1rem;
        text-decoration: none;
        font-weight: 500;
        padding: 8px 14px;
        margin-left: 0.5rem;
        border-radius: 6px;
        position: relative;
        transition: color 0.25s ease, background-color 0.25s ease;
    }

    nav a:hover {
        color: #081018;
        background-color: var(--primary-yellow);
    }

    nav a.active {
        color: #081018;
        background-color: var(--primary-yellow);
    }

    /* remove/hide burger (three-line) UI entirely */
    .burger {
        display: none !important;
    }

    /* remove bars styling (no-op if burger absent) */
    .burger .bar,
    .burger .bar1,
    .burger .bar2,
    .burger .bar3 {
        display: none !important;
    }

    /* --- Mobile Responsive Styles (simplified) --- */
    @media (max-width: 960px) {
        /* show nav as a simple stacked list on small screens */
        nav#main-nav {
            display: flex;
            flex-direction: column;
            gap: 8px;
            align-items: flex-end; /* keep links on the right like desktop */
            padding: 8px 12px;
            background: transparent;
            position: static;
            width: auto;
            height: auto;
            box-shadow: none;
            border-left: none;
            transform: none;
            visibility: visible;
        }

        /* make links full-width for easier tapping */
        nav#main-nav a {
            width: auto;
            padding: 10px 12px;
            margin: 0;
            display: inline-block;
            text-align: right;
        }

        /* reduce logo/brand size slightly */
        .logo img { height: 40px; }
        .site-name { font-size: 0.95rem; }
    }

    /* Force horizontal layout and compact sizing for nav links */
    nav#main-nav,
    nav.horizontal-nav {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: row;
        align-items: center;
        gap: 12px;
        margin-left: auto; /* push nav to the right of logo */
        flex-wrap: wrap;   /* allow wrapping on very small screens */
    }

    /* compact link sizing */
    nav#main-nav a {
        font-size: 0.9rem;       /* slightly smaller text */
        padding: 6px 10px;       /* reduced padding */
        margin-left: 0;          /* removed earlier left margin for consistent spacing */
        white-space: nowrap;     /* keep each label on one line */
    }

    /* ensure good tap target on very small screens while preserving horizontal layout */
    @media (max-width: 480px) {
        nav#main-nav {
            gap: 8px;
            justify-content: flex-end;
        }
        nav#main-nav a {
            font-size: 0.85rem;
            padding: 6px 8px;
        }
    }