:root{
  /* Hero atmosphere: near-black base with three soft steel glows, no visible banding. */
  --gradient-hero:radial-gradient(1200px 620px at 18% 14%, rgba(41,86,106,.55), transparent 62%), radial-gradient(900px 520px at 82% 30%, rgba(46,79,102,.45), transparent 60%), radial-gradient(700px 420px at 50% 96%, rgba(29,55,68,.40), transparent 66%), #0F1214; /* @kind color */
  --gradient-protect-top:linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(15,18,20,.72), transparent); /* @kind color */
  --gradient-protect-bottom:linear-gradient(to top, rgba(15,18,20,.80), transparent); /* @kind color */
  --gradient-fade-mask:linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, #000 12%, #000 88%, transparent); /* @kind color */

  /* Dot lattice — the signature light-section texture. */
  --pattern-dot-color:rgba(15,18,20,.14);
  --pattern-dot-size:2px;
  --pattern-dot-gap:34px;
  --pattern-dots:radial-gradient(var(--pattern-dot-color) var(--pattern-dot-size), transparent var(--pattern-dot-size)); /* @kind other */

  --glass-blur:14px; /* @kind other */
  --glass-fill-light:rgba(255,255,255,.72);
  --glass-fill-dark:rgba(23,25,27,.62);

  /* Ghost numeral behind step cards */
  --ghost-numeral-color:rgba(15,18,20,.05);
  --ghost-numeral-size:150px;
}