Card Stack

STYLEKIT_STYLE_REFERENCE
style_name: Card Stack
style_slug: card-stack
style_source: /styles/card-stack

# Hard Prompt

## When To Use
Use this when you want AI to generate code with strict style consistency. It is the safest default for production UI.

## How To Use
- Copy the full prompt into ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, or another coding assistant.
- Append the concrete product/page requirement after the prompt.
- After generation, check the forbidden rules and interaction states before accepting the output.

Strictly follow the style rules below and maintain consistency. No style drift allowed.

## Requirements

- Prioritize style consistency first, then creative extension.
- When conflicts arise, treat prohibitions as the highest priority.
- Self-check before output: verify colors, typography, spacing, and interactions still match this style.

## Style Rules

You are a frontend expert specializing in Card Stack layout. All generated code must strictly follow these constraints:

## Absolute Prohibitions

- Do NOT stack too many visible cards (max 3-5)
- Do NOT overlap cards completely (need visual distinction)
- Do NOT forget interaction feedback
- Do NOT use overly complex animations
- Do NOT use complex gestures on mobile
- Do NOT leave back cards static during hover (kills depth illusion)

## Must Follow

- Use transform for positioning: scale, translateY, rotate
- Use z-index for layering: z-30, z-20, z-10
- Progressive opacity: 100%, 80%, 60%
- Smooth transitions: transition-all duration-[400ms] ease-out
- Clear hover/active states
- Limit visible cards: 3-5 maximum

## Animation & Interaction Rules

- Deck Shuffling: On group-hover, back cards fan out sideways with different rotate + translate-x values, like shuffling a deck of cards.
- 3D Peeling: Top card on hover should significantly lift (group-hover:-translate-y-6 group-hover:scale-105 group-hover:shadow-2xl), simulating physical card being raised.
- Smooth Return: Use ease-out so cards snap back naturally from fast to slow.
- Stack Peek: Slightly change back card opacity on hover to hint their presence.

## Stack Structure

Container:
- relative position with group class for sibling interactions
- flex center alignment
- Fixed height for consistent layout

Cards (front to back):
- Card 1 (front): z-30, scale-100, opacity-100
- Card 2 (mid): z-20, scale-95, translateY-4, rotate-2, opacity-80
- Card 3 (back): z-10, scale-90, translateY-8, rotate(-3), opacity-60

On group-hover:
- Card 1: -translate-y-6, scale-105, shadow-2xl
- Card 2: rotate-6, translate-x-(-5), translate-y-8
- Card 3: -rotate-6, translate-x-5, translate-y-14

## Self-Check

After generating code, verify:
1. Cards are visually layered with different scale + opacity
2. group-hover fans back cards out to the sides
3. Front card lifts dramatically on hover
4. Max 3-5 visible cards
5. Mobile-friendly touch targets

---

# Card Stack Design System

> 3D layout with overlapping cards, creating depth through Z-axis stacking and offsets. Ideal for carousels, step-by-step displays, and card deck selection.

## Design Philosophy

Card Stack is a layout approach that creates depth perception using the Z-axis, with multiple cards overlapping front to back to form visual layers.

Core principles:
- Depth perception: Layering implies more content beneath
- Focus guidance: The frontmost card receives the most attention
- Interaction expectation: Implies the ability to flip or switch cards
- Space efficiency: Display multiple options in limited space
- Shuffle dynamics: On hover, the deck fans out like holding a hand of cards

---

## Token Dictionary (exact class mapping)

### Border
```
Width: border
Color: border-zinc-200
Radius: rounded-2xl
```

### Shadow
```
sm: shadow-md
md: shadow-xl
lg: shadow-2xl
hover: hover:shadow-2xl
focus: focus:shadow-xl
```

### Interaction
```
Hover translate: (none)
Hover scale: hover:scale-105
Hover opacity: (none)
Transition: transition-all duration-300 ease-[cubic-bezier(0.4,0,0.2,1)]
Active: active:scale-95
```

### Typefaces
```
Heading: font-bold tracking-tight
Body: font-sans
Mono: font-mono
```

### Type scale
```
Hero: text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl
H1: text-2xl md:text-3xl
H2: text-xl md:text-2xl
H3: text-lg md:text-xl
Body: text-sm md:text-base
Small: text-xs md:text-sm
```

### Spacing
```
Section: py-16 md:py-20 lg:py-24
Container: px-4 md:px-8
Card: p-6 md:p-8
Gap sm: gap-2 md:gap-3
Gap md: gap-4 md:gap-6
Gap lg: gap-6 md:gap-8
```

### Color roles
```
Background primary: bg-gradient-to-br from-slate-900 to-slate-800
Background secondary: bg-white
Background accent: bg-[#6c5ce7], bg-[#00cec9], bg-[#fd79a8], bg-[#ffeaa7]
Text primary: text-zinc-900
Text secondary: text-zinc-600
Text muted: text-zinc-400
Button primary: bg-zinc-900 text-white
Button secondary: bg-white/10 text-white
```

---

## [FORBIDDEN]

These classes are banned in this style. Check for them before returning code:

### Banned classes
- `rounded-none`
- `shadow-none`
- `border-4`
- `border-8`

### Banned patterns
- matches `^rounded-none$`
- matches `^border-[48]`

### Why they are banned
- `rounded-none`: Card Stack uses generous rounding (rounded-2xl) for soft stacked cards
- `shadow-none`: Card Stack requires shadows to convey depth and layering
- `border-4`: Card Stack uses subtle or no borders, relying on shadows for definition

> WARNING: if your code contains any of the above, replace it before shipping.

---

## [REQUIRED]

### Every button must include
```
rounded-full
shadow-lg
hover:shadow-xl
transition-shadow
```

### Every card must include
```
rounded-2xl
shadow-xl
transition-all duration-300
bg-white
```

### Every input must include
```
bg-white/80 backdrop-blur
border border-zinc-200
rounded-xl
focus:outline-none
focus:ring-2 focus:ring-purple-500/30
transition-all
```

---

## [COMPARE] Card Stack wrong vs right

The wrong examples below stand for generic library defaults that were never adapted to this style. Do not read them as visual suggestions.

### Button

[WRONG] **Wrong** (generic component library default, do not copy):
```html
<button class="{GENERIC_LIBRARY_BUTTON_DEFAULT}">
 Click me
</button>
```

[CORRECT] **Right** (uses this style's tokens):
```html
<button class="rounded-full shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow bg-zinc-900 text-white">
 Click me
</button>
```

### Card

[WRONG] **Wrong** (generic card, not adapted to this style):
```html
<div class="{GENERIC_LIBRARY_CARD_DEFAULT}">
 <h3>{TITLE}</h3>
</div>
```

[CORRECT] **Right** (uses this style's card tokens):
```html
<div class="rounded-2xl shadow-xl transition-all duration-300 bg-white p-6 md:p-8">
 <h3 class="font-bold tracking-tight text-lg md:text-xl">{TITLE}</h3>
</div>
```

### Input

[WRONG] **Wrong** (generic input, not adapted to this style):
```html
<input class="{GENERIC_LIBRARY_INPUT_DEFAULT}" />
```

[CORRECT] **Right** (uses this style's input tokens):
```html
<input class="bg-white/80 backdrop-blur border border-zinc-200 rounded-xl focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-purple-500/30 transition-all" placeholder="{PLACEHOLDER}" />
```

---

## [TEMPLATES] Card Stack page skeletons

These skeletons use this style's tokens only. Replace `{PLACEHOLDER}` values, but keep every token in place:

### Navigation
```html
<nav class="bg-gradient-to-br from-slate-900 to-slate-800 text-zinc-900 border border-zinc-200 px-4 md:px-8">
 <div class="flex items-center justify-between max-w-6xl mx-auto gap-4 md:gap-6">
 <a href="/" class="font-bold tracking-tight text-lg md:text-xl">
 {LOGO_TEXT}
 </a>
 <div class="flex gap-4 md:gap-6 font-sans text-xs md:text-sm">
 {NAV_LINKS}
 </div>
 </div>
</nav>
```

### Hero section
```html
<section class="bg-[#6c5ce7] text-zinc-900 py-16 md:py-20 lg:py-24 px-4 md:px-8">
 <div class="max-w-4xl mx-auto">
 <h1 class="font-bold tracking-tight text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl">
 {HEADLINE}
 </h1>
 <p class="font-sans text-sm md:text-base max-w-xl">
 {SUBHEADLINE}
 </p>
 <button class="rounded-full shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow bg-zinc-900 text-white">
 {CTA_TEXT}
 </button>
 </div>
</section>
```

### Card grid
```html
<section class="bg-gradient-to-br from-slate-900 to-slate-800 text-zinc-900 py-16 md:py-20 lg:py-24 px-4 md:px-8">
 <div class="max-w-6xl mx-auto">
 <h2 class="font-bold tracking-tight text-xl md:text-2xl">{SECTION_TITLE}</h2>
 <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-4 md:gap-6">
 <!-- Card template - repeat for each card -->
 <div class="rounded-2xl shadow-xl transition-all duration-300 bg-white p-6 md:p-8">
 <h3 class="font-bold tracking-tight text-lg md:text-xl">{CARD_TITLE}</h3>
 <p class="font-sans text-sm md:text-base text-zinc-400">{CARD_DESCRIPTION}</p>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
</section>
```

### Form input
```html
<input class="bg-white/80 backdrop-blur border border-zinc-200 rounded-xl focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-purple-500/30 transition-all" placeholder="{PLACEHOLDER}" />
```

### Footer
```html
<footer class="bg-white text-zinc-600 py-16 md:py-20 lg:py-24 px-4 md:px-8">
 <div class="max-w-6xl mx-auto">
 <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-3 gap-6 md:gap-8">
 <div>
 <span class="font-bold tracking-tight text-lg md:text-xl">{LOGO_TEXT}</span>
 <p class="font-sans text-xs md:text-sm">{TAGLINE}</p>
 </div>
 <div>
 <h4 class="font-bold tracking-tight text-lg md:text-xl">{COLUMN_TITLE}</h4>
 <ul class="font-sans text-xs md:text-sm">
 {FOOTER_LINKS}
 </ul>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
</footer>
```

---

## [CHECKLIST] Card Stack post-generation self check

**Before returning code, verify every token and rule below. Fix any violation before delivering:**

### Token check
- [ ] Button includes: `rounded-full shadow-lg hover:shadow-xl transition-shadow`
- [ ] Card includes: `rounded-2xl shadow-xl transition-all duration-300 bg-white`
- [ ] Input includes: `bg-white/80 backdrop-blur border border-zinc-200 rounded-xl focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-purple-500/30 transition-all`

### Forbidden check
- [ ] Not using `rounded-none`
- [ ] Not using `shadow-none`
- [ ] Not using `border-4`
- [ ] Not using `border-8`

### Style rule check
- [ ] Use transform and z-index to create stacking effects
- [ ] Back cards scale down and offset scale-95 translate-y-4
- [ ] Add progressive opacity opacity-80, opacity-60
- [ ] Support drag or click to switch cards
- [ ] Add smooth transition animations transition-all duration-[400ms]

### Style drift check
- [ ] Does not violate: Do not stack too many cards causing clutter
- [ ] Does not violate: Do not completely overlap cards hiding layer distinction
- [ ] Does not violate: Do not ignore interaction feedback
- [ ] Does not violate: Do not use overly complex animations affecting performance
- [ ] Does not violate: Do not use overly complex gestures on mobile

### Delivery check
- [ ] Responsive layout holds on phone, tablet and desktop with no horizontal overflow
- [ ] Every interactive element has a visible focus state, an accessible name and a reduced-motion path
- [ ] Text contrast meets WCAG AA and colour alone never carries state
- [ ] The result is still recognizable at a glance as Card Stack

---

## [EXAMPLES] Example prompts

### 1. 

```
Create pricing cards with stack layout:
1. 3 cards stacked: Starter, Pro, Enterprise
2. Front card fully visible with details
3. Back cards scaled down, offset, and slightly rotated
4. On group-hover: back cards fan out sideways with different rotations
5. Front card lifts with scale-105 and large shadow on hover
6. Each card: plan name, price, features list, CTA
7. Navigation arrows on sides with hover feedback
Dark gradient background, white cards
```

### 2. 

 Tinder 

```
Create a Tinder-style product card stack:
1. Stack of product cards (5 cards, 3 visible)
2. Swipe right to like, left to pass
3. Each card: product image, name, price, rating
4. On hover: top card peels up (scale-105, shadow-2xl, -translate-y-6), back cards fan out
5. Swipe animation with rotation + opacity fade
6. Undo last action button
7. Fun, interactive, mobile-friendly design
```

### 3. 

```
Create an onboarding flow with card stack:
1. 4 step cards stacked
2. group-hover causes back cards to fan out with rotate + translate-x
3. Front card lifts with scale-105 and shadow-2xl
4. Click Next to advance (card slides out with rotation)
5. Progress indicator dots
6. Each card: step number, title, illustration, description
7. Final card has CTA button
Clean design with duration-[400ms] ease-out transitions
```

## Absolute Bans (Match and Refuse)

If any of the following patterns appear, it is a style violation — rewrite without exception.

- stack too many cards causing clutter
- completely overlap cards hiding layer distinction
- ignore interaction feedback
- use overly complex animations affecting performance
- use overly complex gestures on mobile
- leave back cards static on hover (lacks depth perception)

## Self-Check (Verify Before Shipping)

If any item fails, the style has drifted — fix before shipping.

- [ ] No purple-to-blue gradients
- [ ] No overused fonts (Inter, Roboto, Geist, Fraunces, Plus Jakarta Sans)
- [ ] No nested cards (cards inside cards)
- [ ] No gray text on colored backgrounds
- [ ] Body text contrast meets WCAG AA (>= 4.5:1)
- [ ] No bounce or elastic easing curves
- [ ] Animations have a prefers-reduced-motion fallback
- [ ] Body text line length capped at 65-75 characters
- [ ] No side-stripe accent borders (border-left/right > 1px)
- [ ] No gradient text (background-clip: text)
- [ ] No glassmorphism used as the default surface treatment
- [ ] No tiny uppercase tracked eyebrow labels above every section heading
- [ ] do not stack too many cards causing clutter
- [ ] do not completely overlap cards hiding layer distinction
- [ ] do not ignore interaction feedback
- [ ] do not use overly complex animations affecting performance
- [ ] do not use overly complex gestures on mobile