Aurora + Grain Radical Redesign — Implementation Plan

For Claude: REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers:executing-plans to implement this plan task-by-task.

Goal: Transform the site from flat dark rectangles into a dimensional, textured, alive design using animated aurora orbs, SVG grain noise, and glassmorphic surfaces.

Architecture: Three CSS-only visual layers — (1) animated aurora gradient orbs behind hero/CTA via ::before/::after pseudo-elements, (2) site-wide SVG feTurbulence grain overlay on body::after, (3) glassmorphic cards/modals with backdrop-filter: blur(). No JS changes. No HTML changes.

Tech Stack: Pure CSS — @keyframes, backdrop-filter, SVG feTurbulence data URI, will-change, conic-gradient mask trick for gradient borders.

Design doc: docs/plans/2026-03-11-aurora-grain-redesign-design.md

Task 1: Aurora Background — Keyframes and Hero

Files:

Step 1: Add aurora keyframe animations

Insert BEFORE the hero section comment (line ~594). These define the orbital paths and hue rotation for the three aurora orbs:

/* ── Aurora Background ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────── */

@keyframes aurora-drift-1 {
  0%   { top: 10%; left: 25%; }
  25%  { top: 55%; left: 75%; }
  50%  { top: 80%; left: 40%; }
  75%  { top: 25%; left: 65%; }
  100% { top: 10%; left: 25%; }
}
@keyframes aurora-drift-2 {
  0%   { top: 60%; left: 70%; }
  25%  { top: 20%; left: 30%; }
  50%  { top: 40%; left: 80%; }
  75%  { top: 70%; left: 15%; }
  100% { top: 60%; left: 70%; }
}
@keyframes aurora-drift-3 {
  0%   { top: 40%; left: 50%; }
  25%  { top: 75%; left: 20%; }
  50%  { top: 15%; left: 60%; }
  75%  { top: 55%; left: 85%; }
  100% { top: 40%; left: 50%; }
}
@keyframes aurora-hue {
  to { filter: hue-rotate(360deg); }
}

Step 2: Replace the hero ::before with aurora orbs

The current .hero::before is a static radial gradient. Replace the .hero block and its ::before (lines 596-618) with the aurora implementation. We use ::before for the aurora container and the orbs are created with layered box-shadows:

.hero {
  text-align: center;
  padding: 6rem 0 4rem;
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}

/* Aurora orb 1 — indigo */
.hero::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  box-shadow: 0 0 45vmax 45vmax rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.15);
  opacity: 0.7;
  animation: aurora-drift-1 20s linear infinite, aurora-hue 15s linear infinite;
  pointer-events: none;
  will-change: transform, filter;
  z-index: 0;
}

/* Aurora orb 2 — violet (using ::after) */
.hero::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  box-shadow: 0 0 40vmax 40vmax rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.12);
  opacity: 0.6;
  animation: aurora-drift-2 25s linear infinite, aurora-hue 20s linear infinite;
  pointer-events: none;
  will-change: transform, filter;
  z-index: 0;
}

.hero > * {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
}

Step 3: Add a third aurora orb via the hero-badge ancestor

Since we only have ::before and ::after on .hero, we add a third orb on the hero’s existing .hero::before container by using a layered approach. Actually, we’ll use multiple box-shadows on .hero::before for two orbs and the third on ::after:

Update .hero::before to carry TWO orbs via stacked box-shadows:

.hero::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  box-shadow:
    0 0 45vmax 45vmax rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.15),
    120px 80px 35vmax 35vmax rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.07);
  opacity: 0.7;
  animation: aurora-drift-1 20s linear infinite, aurora-hue 15s linear infinite;
  pointer-events: none;
  will-change: transform, filter;
  z-index: 0;
}

Step 4: Verify hero section renders aurora

Run: cd docs && bundle exec jekyll build Expected: Build succeeds. Open _site/index.html locally — hero should show slowly moving color blobs behind text.

Task 2: CTA Section Aurora (Subtle)

Files:

Step 1: Replace .cta-glow with aurora orbs on .cta-final

Replace the static .cta-glow radial gradient with aurora orbs on the .cta-final section. Lower opacity for subtlety:

.cta-final {
  text-align: center;
  padding: 6rem 0 5rem;
  position: relative;
  border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
  overflow: hidden;
}

.cta-final::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  box-shadow:
    0 0 40vmax 40vmax rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.10),
    100px 60px 30vmax 30vmax rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.06);
  opacity: 0.5;
  animation: aurora-drift-2 22s linear infinite, aurora-hue 18s linear infinite;
  pointer-events: none;
  will-change: transform, filter;
  z-index: 0;
}

.cta-final::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  box-shadow: 0 0 35vmax 35vmax rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.06);
  opacity: 0.4;
  animation: aurora-drift-3 18s linear infinite, aurora-hue 25s linear infinite;
  pointer-events: none;
  will-change: transform, filter;
  z-index: 0;
}

Step 2: Delete the old .cta-glow rule (lines ~5738-5744)

It’s replaced by the ::before/::after aurora orbs above.

Step 3: Ensure CTA content sits above aurora

Add position: relative; z-index: 1; to .cta-final h2, .cta-final p, and .cta-final .btn if not already present. Check current code — some already have position: relative.

Task 3: SVG Grain Texture Overlay

Files:

Step 1: Add grain overlay on body::after

Insert directly AFTER the body { ... } closing brace (line ~190):

body::after {
  content: "";
  position: fixed;
  inset: 0;
  z-index: 9998;
  pointer-events: none;
  opacity: 0.10;
  background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 600 600'%3E%3Cfilter id='a'%3E%3CfeTurbulence type='fractalNoise' baseFrequency='.65' numOctaves='3' stitchTiles='stitch'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Crect width='100%25' height='100%25' filter='url(%23a)'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");
  background-repeat: repeat;
  background-size: 200px;
}

The SVG is inlined as a data URI — no external file needed. Parameters:

Step 2: Verify grain is visible

Rebuild and check — subtle film-like noise should be visible across the entire page, especially noticeable on solid dark backgrounds.

Task 4: Glassmorphic Cards

Files:

Step 1: Update glass-card (line ~888)

Replace current .glass-card and .glass-card:hover:

.glass-card {
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03);
  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
  transition: border-color 0.15s ease;
}
.glass-card:hover {
  border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14);
}

Step 2: Update bento-card (line ~723)

.bento-card {
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03);
  backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
  padding: 1.75rem;
  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
  transition: border-color 0.15s ease;
}
.bento-card:hover {
  border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14);
}

Step 3: Update waitlist-card (line ~1745)

.waitlist-card {
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03);
  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
  overflow: hidden;
  transition: border-color 0.15s ease;
  animation: card-entrance 0.5s var(--ease-out-expo) both;
}
.waitlist-card:hover {
  border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14);
}

Step 4: Update stat-card-v2 (line ~8653)

.stat-card-v2 {
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03);
  backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
  padding: 1.25rem;
  transition: border-color 0.15s ease;
}
.stat-card-v2:hover {
  border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14);
}

Step 5: Update dash-quick-tile (line ~8054)

Add glassmorphic properties:

.dash-quick-tile {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  padding: 1rem;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: var(--text);
  gap: 0.25rem;
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03);
  backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
  transition: border-color 0.15s ease;
}
.dash-quick-tile:hover {
  border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14);
}

Task 5: Glassmorphic Pricing Card + Gradient Border

Files:

Step 1: Update pricing-card base

.pricing-card {
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03);
  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
  padding: 2rem;
  position: relative;
  transition: border-color 0.15s ease;
}
.pricing-card:hover {
  border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14);
}

Step 2: Featured card with gradient border

Replace the current .pricing-card-featured and its ::before:

.pricing-card-featured {
  border: none;
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04);
  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  box-shadow: 0 0 30px rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.08);
}
.pricing-card-featured::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  border-radius: inherit;
  padding: 1px;
  background: conic-gradient(from 180deg, #6366f1, #8b5cf6, #a855f7, #22c55e, #6366f1);
  -webkit-mask: linear-gradient(#fff 0 0) content-box, linear-gradient(#fff 0 0);
  -webkit-mask-composite: xor;
  mask-composite: exclude;
  pointer-events: none;
}
.pricing-card-featured:hover {
  box-shadow: 0 0 40px rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.12);
}

This creates a rotating rainbow gradient border using the CSS mask trick — a conic-gradient is masked to only show as a 1px border.

Task 6: Glassmorphic Auth, Modals, Empty States

Files:

Step 1: Auth form container

.auth-form-container {
  padding: 2.25rem;
  width: 100%;
  max-width: 400px;
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04);
  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
  border-radius: var(--radius-xl);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-md);
}

Step 2: Modal content

.modal-content {
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
  backdrop-filter: blur(20px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(20px);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.10);
  border-radius: var(--radius-xl);
  padding: 1.75rem;
  width: 90%;
  max-width: 480px;
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-lg);
  opacity: 0;
  transform: scale(0.98) translateY(4px);
  transition: opacity var(--duration-moderate) var(--ease-smooth),
              transform var(--duration-moderate) var(--ease-smooth);
}

Step 3: Empty state

.empty-state-illustrated {
  text-align: center;
  padding: 4rem 2rem;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.02);
  backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}

Task 7: Button Upgrades — Gradients and Shimmer

Files:

Step 1: Primary button — gradient fill + glow

.btn-primary {
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #6366f1, #818cf8);
  color: #fff;
  box-shadow: 0 2px 12px rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.25);
}
.btn-primary:hover:not(:disabled) {
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #818cf8, #6366f1);
  color: #fff;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 20px rgba(99, 102, 241, 0.35);
}

Step 2: CTA button — animated gradient shimmer

.btn-cta {
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f97316, #fb923c, #f97316);
  background-size: 200% 100%;
  color: var(--cta-text);
  box-shadow: 0 2px 12px rgba(249, 115, 22, 0.2);
  animation: cta-shimmer 3s ease-in-out infinite;
}
.btn-cta:hover:not(:disabled) {
  box-shadow: 0 4px 24px rgba(249, 115, 22, 0.35);
}

@keyframes cta-shimmer {
  0%   { background-position: 0% 50%; }
  50%  { background-position: 100% 50%; }
  100% { background-position: 0% 50%; }
}

Task 8: Toast.js Glassmorphic Update

Files:

Step 1: Update toast inline styles

Change the .mew-toast background/border:

background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
backdrop-filter: blur(16px); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);

Step 2: Update confirm box inline styles

Change the .mew-confirm-box background/border:

background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
backdrop-filter: blur(20px); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(20px);
border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.10);

Task 9: Reduced Motion + Light Mode Safety

Files:

Step 1: Disable aurora in reduced-motion

The existing global prefers-reduced-motion block at line 917 already kills all animations. Aurora orbs will stop. Verify this is sufficient — no extra work needed.

Step 2: Light mode glassmorphism adjustment

Add after the light mode :root:not(.dark) block — glassmorphic cards need darker tint on light backgrounds:

:root:not(.dark) .glass-card,
:root:not(.dark) .bento-card,
:root:not(.dark) .pricing-card,
:root:not(.dark) .waitlist-card,
:root:not(.dark) .stat-card-v2,
:root:not(.dark) .dash-quick-tile,
:root:not(.dark) .auth-form-container,
:root:not(.dark) .modal-content,
:root:not(.dark) .empty-state-illustrated {
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.6);
  border-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
}

Step 3: Light mode grain opacity adjustment

:root:not(.dark) body::after {
  opacity: 0.04;
}

Task 10: Build Verification + Commit

Step 1: Run Jekyll build

Run: cd docs && bundle exec jekyll build Expected: Build succeeds with no new errors.

Step 2: Visual verification checklist

Open locally and verify:

Step 3: Commit and push

git add docs/assets/css/style.css docs/assets/js/toast.js
git commit -m "Aurora + grain radical redesign: animated orbs, SVG noise texture, glassmorphic surfaces"
git push