*, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }
    :root {
      --crust:   #0c0a08;
      --surface: #141210;
      --card:    #1a1612;
      --border:  #2a221c;
      --muted:   #3d3028;
      --fog:     #9a8878;
      --sand:    #ede0cc;
      --ember:   #e07b35;
      --ember2:  #c96a20;
      --ember3:  #f09a55;
    }
    html, body { height: 100%; }
    body {
      background: var(--crust);
      font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif;
      color: var(--sand);
      display: flex;
      min-height: 100vh;
      overflow-x: hidden;
    }
    body::before {
      content: ''; position: fixed; inset: 0; z-index: 0; pointer-events: none;
      background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg viewBox='0 0 200 200' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%3E%3Cfilter id='n'%3E%3CfeTurbulence type='fractalNoise' baseFrequency='0.85' numOctaves='4' stitchTiles='stitch'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Crect width='100%25' height='100%25' filter='url(%23n)' opacity='0.025'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");
    }

    /* LEFT PANEL */
    .left-panel {
      position: sticky; top: 0; height: 100vh; width: 42%; flex-shrink: 0;
      display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: space-between;
      padding: 36px 44px; border-right: 1px solid var(--border);
      overflow: hidden; z-index: 1;
    }
    .left-panel::before {
      content: ''; position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none;
      background:
        radial-gradient(ellipse 65% 55% at 15% -5%, rgba(224,123,53,.12) 0%, transparent 70%),
        radial-gradient(ellipse 45% 50% at 95% 105%, rgba(224,123,53,.07) 0%, transparent 70%);
    }
    .left-panel::after {
      content: ''; position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none;
      background-image:
        linear-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,.013) 1px, transparent 1px),
        linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(255,255,255,.013) 1px, transparent 1px);
      background-size: 52px 52px;
    }
    #particles { position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none; overflow: hidden; z-index: 0; }
    .particle { position: absolute; font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace; font-size: 11px; color: var(--ember); opacity: 0; animation: float-up linear infinite; }
    @keyframes float-up { 0%{ opacity:0; transform:translateY(8px); } 10%{ opacity:.18; } 90%{ opacity:.07; } 100%{ opacity:0; transform:translateY(-90px); } }

    .left-top { position: relative; z-index: 2; }
    .brand { font-family: 'Syne', sans-serif; font-weight: 800; font-size: 1.75rem; letter-spacing: -.7px; color: var(--sand); text-decoration: none; display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 9px; }
    .brand em { color: var(--ember); font-style: normal; }

    .left-main { position: relative; z-index: 2; }
    .pitch-eyebrow { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 7px; padding: 4px 12px; border-radius: 100px; background: rgba(224,123,53,.1); border: 1px solid rgba(224,123,53,.22); font-size: 10px; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: 1px; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--ember3); margin-bottom: 20px; }
    .badge-dot { width: 5px; height: 5px; border-radius: 50%; background: var(--ember); animation: blink 2s ease infinite; }
    @keyframes blink { 0%,100%{ opacity:1; } 50%{ opacity:.3; } }
    .pitch-title { font-family: 'Syne', sans-serif; font-weight: 800; font-size: clamp(1.75rem, 2.8vw, 2.6rem); line-height: 1.07; letter-spacing: -1.5px; margin-bottom: 16px; }
    .pitch-title em { display: block; font-family: 'Instrument Serif', serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--ember); letter-spacing: -.5px; }
    .pitch-sub { font-size: .9rem; color: var(--fog); line-height: 1.65; max-width: 340px; margin-bottom: 32px; }
    .features { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 13px; }
    .feature { display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 11px; }
    .feature-icon { width: 32px; height: 32px; border-radius: 8px; flex-shrink: 0; background: rgba(224,123,53,.1); border: 1px solid rgba(224,123,53,.18); display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; font-size: .95rem; }
    .feature-text strong { display: block; font-size: .85rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--sand); margin-bottom: 1px; }
    .feature-text span { font-size: .78rem; color: var(--fog); line-height: 1.4; }

    .stats-bar { position: relative; z-index: 2; display: flex; padding: 16px 18px; border-radius: 13px; background: rgba(20,18,16,.65); border: 1px solid var(--border); backdrop-filter: blur(8px); }
    .stat { flex: 1; text-align: center; }
    .stat + .stat { border-left: 1px solid var(--border); }
    .stat-n { font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 500; color: var(--ember3); letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1; }
    .stat-l { font-size: .68rem; color: var(--muted); margin-top: 4px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: .7px; }

    /* RIGHT PANEL */
    .right-panel { flex: 1; display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; padding: 36px 28px 60px; position: relative; z-index: 1; min-height: 100vh; overflow-y: auto; }
    .right-inner { width: 100%; max-width: 480px; animation: fadeIn .4s ease both; }
    @keyframes fadeIn { from{ opacity:0; transform:translateY(10px); } to{ opacity:1; transform:translateY(0); } }
    .form-topbar { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; margin-bottom: 28px; }
    .form-topbar-title { font-family: 'Syne', sans-serif; font-size: .82rem; color: var(--fog); }
    .login-link { font-size: .82rem; color: var(--fog); text-decoration: none; }
    .login-link span { color: var(--ember); font-weight: 600; }
    .login-link:hover span { text-decoration: underline; }

    /* Steps track */
    .steps-track { display: flex; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 16px; }
    .step-node { width: 26px; height: 26px; border-radius: 50%; flex-shrink: 0; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace; font-size: .68rem; font-weight: 700; border: 2px solid var(--muted); color: var(--muted); background: var(--surface); transition: all .3s; }
    .step-node.active { border-color: var(--ember); color: var(--ember); background: rgba(224,123,53,.1); box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(224,123,53,.1); }
    .step-node.done { border-color: var(--ember); background: var(--ember); color: #0c0a08; font-size: .75rem; }
    .step-node.done::after { content: '✓'; font-family: sans-serif; }
    .step-node.done span { display: none; }
    .step-line { flex: 1; height: 2px; background: var(--muted); margin: 0 4px; border-radius: 1px; transition: background .4s; }
    .step-line.done { background: var(--ember); }
    .step-label { font-size: .76rem; color: var(--fog); margin-bottom: 18px; }
    .step-label strong { color: var(--sand); font-weight: 600; }
    .progress-bar { height: 2px; background: var(--muted); border-radius: 1px; margin-bottom: 26px; }
    .progress-fill { height: 100%; background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--ember), var(--ember3)); border-radius: 1px; transition: width .4s cubic-bezier(.4,0,.2,1); }

    /* Type toggle */
    .type-toggle { display: flex; margin-bottom: 18px; border: 1.5px solid var(--border); border-radius: 10px; overflow: hidden; }
    .type-btn { flex: 1; padding: 9px 10px; background: transparent; border: none; color: var(--fog); font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif; font-size: .8rem; font-weight: 600; cursor: pointer; transition: all .2s; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 5px; }
    .type-btn + .type-btn { border-left: 1.5px solid var(--border); }
    .type-btn.active { background: rgba(224,123,53,.12); color: var(--ember); }

    /* Step panes */
    .step-pane { display: none; }
    .step-pane.active { display: block; animation: slideIn .28s ease; }
    @keyframes slideIn { from{ opacity:0; transform:translateX(10px); } to{ opacity:1; transform:translateX(0); } }
    .pane-title { font-family: 'Syne', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 1.2rem; color: var(--sand); margin-bottom: 3px; }
    .pane-sub { font-size: .82rem; color: var(--fog); margin-bottom: 20px; line-height: 1.55; }

    /* Form elements */
    .form-row { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 11px; }
    .form-group { margin-bottom: 13px; }
    .form-label { display: block; font-size: .7rem; font-weight: 700; color: var(--fog); margin-bottom: 6px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: .8px; }
    .req { color: var(--ember); }
    .input-wrap { position: relative; }
    .input-icon { position: absolute; left: 12px; top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%); pointer-events: none; color: var(--muted); transition: color .2s; }
    .input-icon svg { width: 14px; height: 14px; }
    .f-input, .f-select, .f-textarea { width: 100%; background: var(--card); border: 1.5px solid var(--border); border-radius: 10px; padding: 10px 12px 10px 36px; font-size: .87rem; color: var(--sand); outline: none; transition: border-color .2s, box-shadow .2s; font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif; }
    .f-input::placeholder, .f-textarea::placeholder { color: var(--muted); }
    .f-input:focus, .f-select:focus, .f-textarea:focus { border-color: rgba(224,123,53,.5); box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(224,123,53,.07); }
    .input-wrap:focus-within .input-icon { color: var(--ember); }
    .f-select { padding-left: 12px; appearance: none; cursor: pointer; }
    .f-select option { background: var(--card); }
    .f-textarea { padding: 10px 12px; min-height: 82px; resize: vertical; line-height: 1.55; }
    .no-icon { padding-left: 12px; }
    .select-wrap { position: relative; }
    .select-arrow { position: absolute; right: 11px; top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%); pointer-events: none; color: var(--fog); }
    .select-arrow svg { width: 14px; height: 14px; }
    .hint { font-size: .72rem; color: var(--muted); margin-top: 4px; }
    .field-error { font-size: .72rem; color: #f87171; margin-top: 4px; display: none; }

    /* Specialty */
    .specialty-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 7px; }
    .spec-opt { display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; gap: 5px; padding: 11px 6px; border-radius: 10px; background: var(--card); border: 1.5px solid var(--border); cursor: pointer; transition: all .2s; text-align: center; font-size: .76rem; color: var(--fog); font-weight: 500; }
    .spec-opt:hover { border-color: rgba(224,123,53,.3); color: var(--sand); }
    .spec-opt.selected { border-color: rgba(224,123,53,.55); background: rgba(224,123,53,.1); color: var(--ember); }
    .spec-opt input { display: none; }
    .spec-emoji { font-size: 1.25rem; line-height: 1; }

    /* Skills */
    .skill-tags { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 6px; margin-bottom: 9px; min-height: 34px; }
    .skill-tag { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 4px; padding: 4px 10px; border-radius: 20px; background: var(--card); border: 1px solid var(--border); color: var(--fog); font-size: .75rem; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace; transition: all .15s; }
    .skill-tag:hover { border-color: rgba(224,123,53,.3); color: var(--sand); }
    .skill-tag.selected { background: rgba(224,123,53,.12); border-color: rgba(224,123,53,.45); color: var(--ember); font-weight: 600; }
    .skill-input-row { display: flex; gap: 7px; }
    .skill-input { flex: 1; background: var(--card); border: 1.5px solid var(--border); border-radius: 9px; padding: 9px 12px; color: var(--sand); font-size: .82rem; outline: none; font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace; transition: border-color .2s; }
    .skill-input:focus { border-color: rgba(224,123,53,.45); }
    .skill-input::placeholder { color: var(--muted); }
    .add-skill-btn { padding: 9px 14px; background: var(--ember); color: #0c0a08; border: none; border-radius: 9px; font-weight: 700; font-size: 1rem; cursor: pointer; transition: background .2s; flex-shrink: 0; }
    .add-skill-btn:hover { background: var(--ember2); }

    /* Level */
    .level-wrap { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 11px; padding: 11px 14px; background: var(--card); border: 1.5px solid var(--border); border-radius: 10px; }
    .level-label { font-size: .72rem; color: var(--fog); white-space: nowrap; }
    .level-dots { display: flex; gap: 5px; flex: 1; }
    .level-dot { flex: 1; height: 5px; border-radius: 3px; background: var(--muted); cursor: pointer; transition: all .2s; }
    .level-dot.active { background: var(--ember); }

    /* Gender */
    .gender-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 7px; }
    .gender-opt { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; padding: 10px 6px; border-radius: 10px; background: var(--card); border: 1.5px solid var(--border); cursor: pointer; transition: all .2s; font-size: .84rem; color: var(--fog); }
    .gender-opt:hover { border-color: rgba(224,123,53,.3); color: var(--sand); }
    .gender-opt.selected { border-color: rgba(224,123,53,.55); background: rgba(224,123,53,.1); color: var(--ember); }
    .gender-opt input { display: none; }

    /* Age pill */
    .age-pill { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 5px; padding: 3px 10px; border-radius: 20px; background: rgba(224,123,53,.1); border: 1px solid rgba(224,123,53,.2); font-size: .75rem; color: var(--ember); margin-top: 7px; font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace; }

    /* Bio counter */
    .bio-counter { font-size: .7rem; color: var(--muted); text-align: right; margin-top: 4px; font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace; transition: color .2s; }
    .bio-counter.warn   { color: #f59e0b; }
    .bio-counter.danger { color: #ef4444; }

    /* Avatar upload */
    .optional-badge { display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 2px 9px; border-radius: 20px; background: rgba(155,136,120,.1); border: 1px solid rgba(155,136,120,.2); font-size: .7rem; color: var(--fog); letter-spacing: .5px; }
    .upload-zone { border: 2px dashed var(--muted); border-radius: 13px; padding: 28px 16px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; transition: all .25s; position: relative; display: block; }
    .upload-zone:hover { border-color: rgba(224,123,53,.5); background: rgba(224,123,53,.03); }
    .upload-zone.has-file { border-color: rgba(224,123,53,.4); background: rgba(224,123,53,.04); }
    .avatar-preview { width: 80px; height: 80px; border-radius: 50%; object-fit: cover; display: none; border: 2.5px solid var(--ember); margin: 0 auto 10px; box-shadow: 0 6px 20px rgba(0,0,0,.4); }
    .upload-icon { color: var(--muted); margin-bottom: 8px; }
    .upload-icon svg { width: 28px; height: 28px; }
    .upload-label { font-size: .86rem; color: var(--fog); margin-bottom: 3px; }
    .upload-hint { font-size: .72rem; color: var(--muted); }

    /* Password */
    .pw-toggle { position: absolute; right: 10px; top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%); background: none; border: none; cursor: pointer; color: var(--muted); padding: 4px; transition: color .2s; }
    .pw-toggle:hover { color: var(--ember); }
    .pw-toggle svg { width: 14px; height: 14px; }
    .strength-bar { height: 3px; background: var(--muted); border-radius: 2px; margin-top: 7px; overflow: hidden; }
    .strength-fill { height: 100%; width: 0; border-radius: 2px; transition: width .3s, background .3s; }
    .strength-text { font-size: .69rem; color: var(--fog); margin-top: 4px; font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace; }

    /* Checkbox */
    .check-row { display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 9px; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 9px; }
    .check-row input { display: none; }
    .custom-check { width: 16px; height: 16px; border-radius: 5px; border: 1.5px solid var(--muted); background: var(--card); display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 1px; transition: all .2s; }
    .check-row input:checked + .custom-check { background: var(--ember); border-color: var(--ember); }
    .custom-check svg { width: 9px; height: 9px; color: #0c0a08; opacity: 0; transform: scale(.5); transition: all .15s; }
    .check-row input:checked + .custom-check svg { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1); }
    .check-text { font-size: .8rem; color: var(--fog); line-height: 1.5; }
    .check-text a { color: var(--ember); text-decoration: none; }
    .check-text a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }

    /* Info box */
    .info-box { display: flex; gap: 9px; align-items: flex-start; padding: 10px 13px; border-radius: 9px; background: rgba(74,158,255,.07); border: 1px solid rgba(74,158,255,.18); font-size: .78rem; color: #89bfff; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 16px; }
    .info-box svg { width: 14px; height: 14px; flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 1px; }
    .info-box strong { color: #aad4ff; }

    /* Verify preview */
    .verify-preview { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; padding: 9px 12px; border-radius: 9px; background: rgba(62,207,110,.05); border: 1px solid rgba(62,207,110,.15); font-size: .76rem; color: #4ade80; margin-top: 10px; }
    .verify-preview svg { width: 13px; height: 13px; flex-shrink: 0; }

    /* Buttons */
    .btn-group { display: flex; gap: 9px; margin-top: 18px; }
    .btn-prev { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px; padding: 11px 16px; border-radius: 10px; font-weight: 600; font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif; font-size: .87rem; cursor: pointer; border: 1.5px solid var(--border); background: transparent; color: var(--fog); transition: all .2s; flex-shrink: 0; }
    .btn-prev:hover:not(:disabled) { border-color: rgba(224,123,53,.3); color: var(--sand); }
    .btn-prev:disabled { opacity: .3; cursor: not-allowed; }
    .btn-next, .btn-submit { flex: 1; display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 7px; padding: 11px 18px; border-radius: 10px; font-weight: 700; font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif; font-size: .87rem; cursor: pointer; border: none; background: var(--ember); color: #fff; box-shadow: 0 4px 18px rgba(224,123,53,.22); transition: all .2s; }
    .btn-next:hover, .btn-submit:hover:not(:disabled) { background: var(--ember3); box-shadow: 0 4px 26px rgba(240,154,85,.38); transform: translateY(-1px); }
    .btn-next:active, .btn-submit:active { transform: none; }
    .btn-submit:disabled { opacity: .5; cursor: not-allowed; transform: none; }
    .btn-spinner { width: 15px; height: 15px; border: 2px solid rgba(255,255,255,.25); border-top-color: #fff; border-radius: 50%; animation: spin .7s linear infinite; display: none; }
    @keyframes spin { to{ transform:rotate(360deg); } }

    #general-error { display: none; padding: 10px 13px; border-radius: 9px; background: rgba(248,113,113,.08); border: 1px solid rgba(248,113,113,.2); font-size: .8rem; color: #f87171; margin-bottom: 14px; }
    #general-error.show { display: block; }

    /* Date selects */
    .date-selects { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 2fr 1fr; gap: 8px; }
    .date-selects .select-wrap select { padding-left: 10px; font-size: .85rem; }

    /* Mobile */
    @media (max-width: 820px) {
      body { flex-direction: column; }
      .left-panel { position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; padding: 20px; border-right: none; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); }
      .left-main, .stats-bar { display: none; }
      #particles { display: none; }
      .right-panel { padding: 24px 16px 52px; min-height: auto; }
    }
    @media (max-width: 480px) {
      .form-row { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
      .specialty-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
    }