Combining :nth-child with style queries and sibling-index() to conditionally select child elements.

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Re-Implementing :nth-child() With Modern CSS originally handwritten and published with love on CSS-Tricks. You should really get the newsletter as well.

Replacing JavaScript with a modern CSS feature can simplify a piece of code while making the wider application harder to reason about. Gabriel Shoyombo explores what happens when logic is split between CSS and JavaScript, sharing practical guidance to help you keep complexity in check during migration.

This is the final issue of What’s !important on CSS-Tricks.com. The good news is that it’s coming back in an expanded form as the CSS-Tricks newsletter. I had ya there for a second, didn’t I? Sorry, I couldn’t decide whether to trick or treat, so I went for both. Happy Halloween

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What’s !important #20: GTA 6 Scroll Effects, Scrollspies, random() originally handwritten and published with love on CSS-Tricks. You should really get the newsletter as well.

Let’s kick of November with a new collection of desktop wallpapers! Designed by creatives from across the globe, the wallpapers come in a variety of screen resolutions and can be downloaded for free. Enjoy!

A super scary way to go about tables using other layout techniques, like CSS Grid.

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The Frankenstein Table originally handwritten and published with love on CSS-Tricks. You should really get the newsletter as well.

We’re back! Don't worry, this isn’t a trick (despite what our name suggests!). However, due to the hiatus, we're also a little behind. That’s why this issue of What’s !important is absolutely stacked. All killer, no filler. Here's what you missed.

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What’s !important #19: CSS Refraction Effects, Scroll State Queries, @custom-media, and More originally handwritten and published with love on CSS-Tricks. You should really get the newsletter as well.

Yes, I've got the keys to the castle, so to speak. And, even after 12 years of working on the site, I'll admit I'm a little overwhelmed and nervous about that.

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CSS-Tricks has a new owner! originally handwritten and published with love on CSS-Tricks. You should really get the newsletter as well.

A closer look at accordion icons, why split menus are harmful, and why it’s better not to have icons and text labels link to different actions. Plus, why the caret is the safest icon choice. You’ll find more [useful guides](https://www.smashingmagazine.com/category/guides/) and [online workshops](https://smashingconf.com/online-workshops) here on Smashing Magazine, so make sure to browse and explore.

Design systems thrive on consistency, so where does randomness fit in? Through playful demos of organic typography, bouncing letters, and splayed cards, Brecht De Ruyte shows how the new CSS `random()` function brings a little imperfection to the web without JavaScript libraries or preprocessor loops that generate hundreds of lines of static CSS.

What can digital transformation teach us about AI adoption? Paul Boag revisits his book Digital Adaptation to show how lessons from the past can help organizations navigate the challenges of AI today.

A practical guide to naming UI components, with useful resources, naming conventions, and structures. You’ll find more [useful guides](https://www.smashingmagazine.com/category/guides/) and [online workshops](https://smashingconf.com/online-workshops) here on Smashing Magazine, so make sure to browse and explore.

October is just around the corner, which means it’s time for some new desktop wallpapers! Designed by the community for the community, they’re here to brighten your screens, and maybe spark some creativity along the way.

Despite broad browser support, container queries remain surprisingly underused and frequently misunderstood. Let’s look at how they differ from media queries, when to reach for each, and how container queries help reusable components respond naturally to the contexts in which they appear. - CSS - Tools - Techniques

Strong UX ideas do not secure investment on their own. Through a worked example, Alex Williams breaks down how to define business value, calculate costs, test causality, and build a credible case for the return on a design initiative. - UX - Design - Business

The web is evolving beyond menus, forms, and endless clicks toward experiences shaped around human intent. For UX designers, understanding this shift means re-evaluating their role, moving from designing visible interfaces to guiding transparent, intent-driven AI experiences.