gamut-layout

name	gamut-layout
description	Use this skill when applying Gamut spacing scale, border radii, responsive breakpoints (viewport or container), or the page layout grid (LayoutGrid vs GridBox) — including responsive prop patterns and mobile-first design. Complements gamut-system-props for system.space and responsive props.

Gamut Layout

Token values match packages/gamut-styles/src/variables (spacing.ts, borderRadii.ts, responsive.ts). Breakpoints and max-content widths align with Storybook Foundations / Layout.

See also: gamut-system-props — system.space, responsive Box / FlexBox / GridBox props. Meta / Best practices — responsive examples.

System props for spacing

Gamut layout primitives (Box, FlexBox, GridBox, …) expose margin, padding, and gap props backed by system.space from @codecademy/gamut-styles. Pass spacing scale numbers (4, 8, 16, …), not raw pixel strings. For custom styled components, compose system.space.

Responsive behavior: All those props accept mobile-first object ({ _: 8, md: 24 }) or array syntax per Responsive properties. Container queries use keys c_base, c_xs, … c_xl; the parent must set a container (e.g. containerType="inline-size" on FlexBox). Prefer a media-query fallback when mixing c_* with viewport breakpoints.

Two different “grids”

• Design / page grid (12 columns, margins/gutters) — product layout; implement with LayoutGrid and responsive columnGap / rowGap where appropriate.
• CSS Grid system props — system.grid on styled components or GridBox for local regions; not the same as full-page LayoutGrid. See System props / Grid. LayoutGrid is for flexible full-page sections; use FlexBox / GridBox / Box for smaller areas.

Designer vs code names: Figma / Layout docs often label artboards XL, LG, MD, SM, XS, Base. In code, viewport breakpoints are xl, lg, md, sm, xs (min-widths below); _ is the base (no min-width query).

Spacing scale

All spacing is multiples of 4px on an 8px grid.

Token	Value
0	0
4	4px
8	8px
12	12px
16	16px
24	24px
32	32px
40	40px
48	48px
64	64px
96	96px

Use multiples of 8px for block-element spacing. Use 4px only for inline or typographic relationships.

Border radius

Token	Value	Use
none	0px	Square / non-interactive elements
sm	2px	Subtle rounding, tags
md	4px	Buttons, inputs, interactive cards
lg	8px	Cards, panels
xl	16px	Large cards, modals
full	999px	Pills, avatars, circular elements

Breakpoints

Mobile-first. Styles apply from the named breakpoint and up.

Token	Min-width	Max content width
(base)	0	288px
xs	480px	448px
sm	768px	704px
md	1024px	896px
lg	1200px	1072px
xl	1440px	1248px

Container query breakpoints

Container keys (c_*) use the same min-width numbers as viewport breakpoints, but they apply to the width of a CSS containment context (usually a parent), not the browser viewport.

Key	Min container width
c_base	1px
c_xs	480px
c_sm	768px
c_md	1024px
c_lg	1200px
c_xl	1440px

Requirements:

• A descendant of an element that establishes a container — e.g. parent <FlexBox containerType="inline-size">. Without that, c_* rules never match.
• Prefer a viewport fallback alongside c_* (e.g. display={{ _: 'block', sm: 'flex', c_md: 'grid' }}) for browsers or trees without container support.

When to use which:

• Viewport keys (_, xs, … xl) — page-level layout, full-bleed sections, global nav.
• Container keys (c_base, … c_xl) — reusable widgets whose width is driven by layout, not the device alone.

Page layout grid (12 columns)

12-column grid at all breakpoints.

Property	xl/lg	md	sm/xs	base
Horizontal margins	64px	48px	32px	16px
Column gutters	32px	24px	16px	8px
Row gaps	32px	24px	16px	8px

Minimum touch target on mobile: 44×44px — see gamut-accessibility.

Responsive rules

• Begin design work at 1440px (XL), then adapt down.
• Multi-column layouts collapse to fewer columns — do not stretch or squish.
• Catalog cards and non-lockup elements should align on one axis (usually left), not fill column widths.
• Avoid dense or small components at the base (mobile) breakpoint.