:root {
  /* ---- Base neutrals (sampled from the printed cards) ---- */
  --ink-900: #211d18;   /* dark card surface */
  --ink-800: #26221d;   /* body ink on paper, dark chips */
  --ink-700: #332f25;   /* grid rule on dark surface */
  --ink-500: #6b655c;
  --ink-400: #8d8880;
  --ink-300: #a8a29a;   /* muted lede on dark surface */
  --paper-000: #ffffff; /* card paper + example panel */
  --paper-100: #faf8f5; /* inset sub-panel */
  --paper-200: #f4f1ec; /* quiet chip / "go back" chip */
  --paper-300: #e6e1da; /* dotted texture, hairlines */
  --cream-100: #f5efe6; /* headline on dark surface */

  /* ---- Brand core ---- */
  --honey-500: #ffb547; /* primary amber — bullets, method chip, CTA arrow */
  --honey-600: #f59e44; /* amber pill / Empathise frame */
  --honey-700: #ff8b3d; /* gradient start of the title rule */
  --bee-yellow: #f5b42e; /* mascot body */
  --bee-black: #222322;  /* mascot outline */
  --bee-wing: #98d1f2;
  --bee-wing-light: #d3eafb;

  /* ---- Functional accents ---- */
  --blue-500: #3b6be8;  /* "how to use it" marker, numbered steps */
  --red-500: #e5482b;   /* caution heading, "leading question" flag */
  --violet-500: #7b4dff;/* "next move" marker */

  /* ---- Terminology pill ramp (fixed 4-up order) ---- */
  --term-1: #3e8cc8;
  --term-2: #0097b2;
  --term-3: #f48147;
  --term-4: #f59e44;

  /* ---- Sticky notes / soft tints ---- */
  --sticky-blue: #cbd9ff;
  --sticky-peach: #ffd9ba;
  --sticky-violet: #ddceff;
  --sticky-amber: #ffe5ac;
  --sticky-blue-pale: #cfe1fa;
  --sticky-peach-pale: #ffd8bd;
  --pin-blue: #3b6be8;
  --pin-coral: #e8763f;
  --pin-violet: #7b4dff;
  --pin-amber: #ffb547;

  /* ---- Semantic aliases ---- */
  --surface-card-dark: var(--ink-900);
  --surface-card-light: var(--paper-000);
  --surface-panel: var(--paper-000);
  --surface-inset: var(--paper-100);
  --surface-quiet: var(--paper-200);
  --text-body: var(--ink-800);
  --text-muted: var(--ink-500);
  --text-on-dark: var(--cream-100);
  --text-on-dark-muted: var(--ink-300);
  --accent-primary: var(--honey-500);
  --accent-step: var(--blue-500);
  --accent-caution: var(--red-500);
  --accent-next: var(--violet-500);
  --rule-hairline: var(--paper-300);
  --rule-on-dark: var(--ink-700);
  --link: var(--honey-700);
  --link-hover: var(--red-500);
}