/* 2026 palette overhaul: lime remains the brand signal; supporting color now
       carries hierarchy, page identity and local character across every route. */
    :root{
      color-scheme:light dark;
      --bg:#f4f8f6;--panel:#ffffff;--ink:#102027;--muted:#506168;--line:#cbd8d4;
      --navy:#071d2a;--navy-2:#0b3040;--forest:#103b2a;--forest-2:#1d5c3f;
      --charcoal:#25221f;--warm:#43281e;--coral:#f06c52;--cyan:#2ca7bd;
      --gold:#e9b744;--sky:#5e91d8;--lime:#b6ef00;--orange:#7fa900;--orange2:#90bf00;
      --dark:var(--navy);--dark2:#0b1820;--cream:#eaf3ee;
      --shadow:0 24px 70px rgba(7,29,42,.14);
    }
    @media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){
      :root{
        --bg:#061016;--panel:#0e1c22;--ink:#f6fbf8;--muted:#b5c4c5;--line:#294049;
        --navy:#061a27;--navy-2:#0b3040;--forest:#0d3023;--forest-2:#16543a;
        --charcoal:#25221f;--warm:#3c241b;--orange:#b6ef00;--orange2:#c8ff24;
        --dark:var(--navy);--dark2:#08151c;--cream:#0b1a18;
        --shadow:0 28px 80px rgba(0,0,0,.42);
      }
    }
    body,.route-page,.city-page,.niche-page,.locations-index,.state-index{background:var(--bg);color:var(--ink)}
    header{background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--navy) 92%,transparent);border-bottom-color:rgba(255,255,255,.12);color:#fff}
    header .email-link{color:#e8f4f0!important;text-decoration-color:#9ec7bd}
    header .email-link:hover{color:#d8ff6a!important}
    .navlinks.open{background:var(--navy)!important;color:#fff}
    .eyebrow,.text-link,.blog-meta{color:var(--orange)!important}
    .section-head:after,.route-section .section-head:after{content:"";display:block;width:84px;height:4px;margin-top:24px;background:linear-gradient(90deg,var(--coral),var(--gold),var(--cyan))}
    .btn-primary{background:var(--lime)!important;color:#07120d!important;box-shadow:0 12px 34px rgba(144,191,0,.24)!important}
    .btn-primary:hover{background:#c8ff24!important;color:#07120d!important}

    /* Homepage: a layered opening scene, then distinct color chapters. */
    .hero{background:var(--navy);min-height:780px}
    .hero:before{opacity:1;background:
      radial-gradient(circle at 18% 20%,rgba(44,167,189,.28),transparent 31%),
      radial-gradient(circle at 72% 12%,rgba(182,239,0,.17),transparent 26%),
      radial-gradient(circle at 78% 82%,rgba(240,108,82,.24),transparent 34%),
      linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(4,18,27,.98) 0%,rgba(6,28,40,.9) 48%,rgba(5,20,27,.32) 100%),
      var(--hero-hvac-image) center right/cover no-repeat}
    .hero:after{color:rgba(255,255,255,.04)}
    .hero h1 em{color:#c8ff24}.hero .eyebrow{color:#83e6ef!important}
    .audit-card{border-top-color:var(--coral);box-shadow:0 32px 100px rgba(0,0,0,.42)}
    .proofbar{background:linear-gradient(100deg,var(--forest),#176045 52%,var(--navy-2))!important;color:#fff!important;border-block:1px solid rgba(182,239,0,.35)}
    .proofitem strong{color:#d8ff6a}.proofitem:nth-child(2) strong{color:#7fe6ef}.proofitem:nth-child(3) strong{color:#ffc06b}.proofitem:nth-child(4) strong{color:#ff9a86}
    main>.section:nth-of-type(3n+1){background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--bg) 91%,var(--cyan) 9%)}
    main>.section:nth-of-type(3n+2){background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--bg) 90%,var(--forest-2) 10%)}
    main>.section:nth-of-type(3n){background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--bg) 91%,var(--warm) 9%)}
    .dark-section{background:linear-gradient(135deg,var(--navy),var(--forest));color:#f7fbf8}
    .side-quote,.compare{background:linear-gradient(145deg,var(--navy),var(--navy-2))}
    .deliveries{background:linear-gradient(120deg,var(--navy),var(--forest),var(--warm));gap:2px;border:0}
    .delivery{background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--navy) 88%,var(--cyan) 12%);border-top:4px solid var(--cyan)}
    .delivery:nth-child(3n+2){background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--forest) 88%,var(--gold) 12%);border-color:var(--gold)}
    .delivery:nth-child(3n){background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--warm) 88%,var(--coral) 12%);border-color:var(--coral)}
    .delivery:nth-child(4n) svg{stroke:var(--coral)}.delivery:nth-child(4n+2) svg{stroke:var(--gold)}
    .calculator,.scenario,.blog-card,.service-link,.compare-card,.deep-grid article,.field-grid article,.niche-pain-grid article,.city-area-grid article{background:var(--panel);border-color:var(--line)}
    .scenario:nth-child(odd),.service-link:nth-child(4n+1),.deep-grid article:nth-child(4n+1){border-top:4px solid var(--cyan)}
    .scenario:nth-child(even),.service-link:nth-child(4n+2),.deep-grid article:nth-child(4n+2){border-top:4px solid var(--coral)}
    .service-link:nth-child(4n+3),.deep-grid article:nth-child(4n+3){border-top:4px solid var(--gold)}
    .service-link:nth-child(4n),.deep-grid article:nth-child(4n){border-top:4px solid var(--forest-2)}
    .ai-block{background:linear-gradient(120deg,var(--forest),var(--navy-2))!important;color:#fff!important}
    .ai-block p{color:#d9e8e4!important}.answer-card{border-top:6px solid var(--gold)}
    .final-cta,.route-band{background:linear-gradient(125deg,var(--navy),var(--forest) 58%,var(--charcoal));color:#fff}

    /* Core pages and imagery: every route opens with depth and alternates surfaces. */
    .route-hero{background:
      radial-gradient(circle at 82% 12%,rgba(44,167,189,.24),transparent 28%),
      radial-gradient(circle at 62% 90%,rgba(240,108,82,.18),transparent 34%),
      linear-gradient(125deg,var(--navy),var(--forest) 72%);color:#fff}
    .route-hero:after{border-color:rgba(182,239,0,.3);box-shadow:0 0 0 70px rgba(44,167,189,.07),0 0 0 140px rgba(240,108,82,.045)}
    .route-page>.route-section:not(.dark-section):nth-of-type(3n+1){background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--bg) 91%,var(--cyan) 9%)}
    .route-page>.route-section:not(.dark-section):nth-of-type(3n+2){background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--bg) 91%,var(--forest-2) 9%)}
    .route-page>.route-section:not(.dark-section):nth-of-type(3n){background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--bg) 92%,var(--coral) 8%)}
    .route-section.tinted{background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--bg) 86%,var(--gold) 14%)!important}
    .visual-band{padding:0 0 88px;background:linear-gradient(180deg,var(--navy),var(--bg))}
    .visual-band figure{height:440px;border:0;box-shadow:0 24px 70px rgba(0,0,0,.28)}
    .visual-band img{filter:saturate(1.08) contrast(1.04)}
    .visual-band figcaption{background:var(--coral);color:#fff}
    .route-callout{background:linear-gradient(145deg,var(--navy),var(--forest));border-top-color:var(--coral)}
    .price-placard{border-top-color:var(--gold)}
    .badge-grid{background:linear-gradient(90deg,var(--navy-2),var(--forest),var(--warm));gap:2px;border:0}
    .badge-grid article{background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--navy) 88%,var(--cyan) 12%)}
    .badge-grid article:nth-child(3n+2){background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--forest) 88%,var(--gold) 12%)}
    .badge-grid article:nth-child(3n){background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--warm) 88%,var(--coral) 12%)}

    /* Niche pages receive trade-led palettes rather than one shared lime skin. */
    .niche-page{--trade:var(--cyan);--trade-soft:#0b2831;--trade-night:var(--navy)}
    .niche-local-seo-for-plumbers{--trade:#2db4c8;--trade-soft:#0b3038;--trade-night:#061f2a}
    .niche-local-seo-for-hvac{--trade:#ef7f3d;--trade-soft:#3a2115;--trade-night:#201209}
    .niche-roofing-seo{--trade:#db6658;--trade-soft:#3b1c1a;--trade-night:#220e0e}
    .niche-local-seo-for-tree-services{--trade:#55b777;--trade-soft:#123620;--trade-night:#081f13}
    .niche-local-seo-for-dumpster-rental{--trade:#e7ad3f;--trade-soft:#392a11;--trade-night:#211708}
    .niche-water-damage-restoration-seo{--trade:#538fd5;--trade-soft:#132b47;--trade-night:#081a2d}
    .niche-local-seo-for-solar-companies{--trade:#f0ba43;--trade-soft:#392d11;--trade-night:#211a08}
    .niche-page .route-hero{background:radial-gradient(circle at 84% 16%,color-mix(in srgb,var(--trade) 34%,transparent),transparent 30%),linear-gradient(125deg,var(--trade-night),var(--navy))}
    .niche-page .eyebrow,.niche-page .text-link,.niche-page .deep-grid>article>span,.niche-pain-grid span,.field-grid span{color:var(--trade)!important}
    .niche-page .route-callout{border-top-color:var(--trade)!important}
    .niche-page .route-section.tinted{background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--bg) 84%,var(--trade) 16%)!important}
    .niche-page .btn-primary{background:var(--trade)!important;color:#07120d!important}

    /* Blog: editorial color coding, stronger cover treatments and reading rhythm. */
    .blog-index{--editorial:var(--coral)}
    .blog-index .route-hero,.article-hero{background:radial-gradient(circle at 80% 15%,rgba(240,108,82,.28),transparent 30%),linear-gradient(130deg,var(--navy),var(--warm));color:#fff}
    .featured-post{background:linear-gradient(130deg,var(--navy),var(--forest));color:#fff;overflow:hidden}
    .featured-visual img,.blog-card-image,.article-visual img{filter:saturate(1.08) contrast(1.04)}
    .blog-card{border-top:5px solid var(--cyan)}.blog-card:nth-child(3n+2){border-top-color:var(--coral)}.blog-card:nth-child(3n){border-top-color:var(--gold)}
    .blog-card:hover{border-color:currentColor;box-shadow:0 18px 50px rgba(7,29,42,.14)}
    .newsletter-band{background:linear-gradient(110deg,var(--forest),var(--navy-2));color:#fff}
    .article-body>section{border-top-color:var(--coral)}
    .article-body>section:nth-of-type(3n+2){border-top-color:var(--cyan)}.article-body>section:nth-of-type(3n){border-top-color:var(--gold)}
    .article-cta{background:linear-gradient(135deg,var(--forest),var(--navy-2));color:#fff}

    /* Locations and state archives remain dark-led, but no longer monochrome. */
    .locations-hero{background:radial-gradient(circle at 80% 20%,rgba(182,239,0,.18),transparent 24%),radial-gradient(circle at 58% 92%,rgba(240,108,82,.22),transparent 30%),linear-gradient(125deg,var(--navy),var(--forest))}
    .locations-stats,.state-directory,.state-cities{background:var(--bg)}
    .stat-grid{background:linear-gradient(90deg,var(--cyan),var(--forest-2),var(--coral),var(--gold));gap:2px;border:0}
    .stat-card{background:var(--panel);color:var(--ink)}
    .stat-card strong{color:var(--cyan)}.stat-card:nth-child(2) strong{color:var(--forest-2)}.stat-card:nth-child(3) strong{color:var(--coral)}.stat-card:nth-child(4) strong{color:var(--gold)}
    .stat-card span{color:var(--ink)}.stat-card small{color:var(--muted)}
    .state-link,.state-city-card{background:var(--panel);color:var(--ink);border-color:var(--line)}
    .state-link span,.state-city-copy p{color:var(--muted)}
    .state-hero{background:radial-gradient(circle at 16% 18%,color-mix(in srgb,var(--state-accent) 30%,transparent),transparent 28%),linear-gradient(125deg,var(--state-night),var(--navy) 76%)}
    .state-summary{background:linear-gradient(90deg,var(--state-accent),var(--cyan),var(--coral));gap:2px;border:0}
    .state-summary div{background:var(--panel);color:var(--ink)}

    /* Generic city routes: inline cityTheme colors now fill structural surfaces. */
    .city-page .city-hero{background:radial-gradient(circle at 86% 12%,color-mix(in srgb,var(--city-accent) 30%,transparent),transparent 31%),linear-gradient(125deg,var(--city-night),color-mix(in srgb,var(--city-night) 74%,var(--city-accent) 26%))!important;border-bottom:8px solid var(--city-accent)}
    .city-page .eyebrow,.city-page .text-link,.city-page .city-linkline a,.city-page .city-sources a{color:var(--city-accent)!important}
    .city-page .city-stat{background:linear-gradient(100deg,var(--city-accent),var(--city-accent-2))!important;color:#fff!important}
    .city-page .route-section.tinted,.city-page .city-services{background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--bg) 78%,var(--city-accent) 22%)!important}
    .city-page .city-context{background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--bg) 91%,var(--city-accent) 9%)}
    .city-page .city-areas{background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--bg) 86%,var(--city-accent-2) 14%)}
    .city-page .city-photo{box-shadow:22px 24px 0 color-mix(in srgb,var(--city-accent) 72%,transparent),0 30px 80px rgba(0,0,0,.34)}
    .city-page .route-callout,.city-page .city-landmark,.city-page .city-approach,.city-page .city-cta{background:linear-gradient(135deg,var(--city-night),color-mix(in srgb,var(--city-night) 70%,var(--city-accent) 30%))}
    .city-page .deep-grid article,.city-page .city-area-grid article{border-top-color:var(--city-accent)}

    /* Custom city batches keep their own city colors, now used more boldly. */
    .b10-hero,.b11-hero,.b12-hero,.b13-hero,.b15-hero,.b16-hero,.b17-hero{background-image:radial-gradient(circle at 84% 12%,color-mix(in srgb,var(--local-accent,var(--city-accent,var(--b17-accent))) 22%,transparent),transparent 30%)}
    .b11-city .btn-primary{background:var(--city-accent)!important}.b12-city .btn-primary{background:var(--b12-accent)!important}.b13-city .btn-primary{background:var(--b13-accent)!important}.b15-city .btn-primary{background:var(--b15-accent)!important}.b16-city .btn-primary{background:var(--b16-accent)!important}.b17-city .btn-primary{background:var(--b17-accent)!important}
    .b15-section:nth-of-type(odd),.b16-section:nth-of-type(odd),.b17-section:nth-of-type(odd){background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--panel) 78%,var(--b15-accent,var(--b16-accent,var(--b17-accent))) 22%)}
    .b17-section:nth-of-type(even){background:color-mix(in srgb,var(--bg) 90%,var(--b17-accent2) 10%)}
    .b17-area-grid article,.b17-service-grid article,.b17-trade-grid article{border-top:4px solid var(--b17-accent)}
    .b17-area-grid article:nth-child(3n+2),.b17-service-grid article:nth-child(3n+2),.b17-trade-grid article:nth-child(3n+2){border-top-color:var(--b17-accent2)}
    .b17-art{box-shadow:18px 20px 0 color-mix(in srgb,var(--b17-accent) 68%,transparent),0 28px 70px rgba(0,0,0,.34)}

    footer{background:linear-gradient(145deg,#04141d,#0d291f 58%,#271b16);border-top:5px solid var(--lime)}
    .footer-area-links a:nth-child(4n+1){color:#9ee8ef}.footer-area-links a:nth-child(4n+2){color:#d8ff6a}.footer-area-links a:nth-child(4n+3){color:#ffad9c}.footer-area-links a:nth-child(4n){color:#ffd77a}
    .footer-area-links a:hover{color:#fff}

    @media(max-width:900px){.hero{min-height:auto}.visual-band figure{height:360px}.city-page .city-photo{box-shadow:0 18px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.3)}.b17-art{box-shadow:10px 12px 0 color-mix(in srgb,var(--b17-accent) 58%,transparent)}}
    @media(max-width:620px){.hero{padding-top:64px}.hero h1{font-size:3rem}.visual-band figure{height:260px}.section-head:after,.route-section .section-head:after{width:64px}.b17-art{box-shadow:none}.footer-area-links{gap:10px 14px}}
    @media(prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){.blog-card,.state-link,.state-city-card,.city-photo,.b17-art{transition:none!important}}