Layout Block Intelligence

Layout Block Intelligence — 500+ Production Section Patterns

Mental model

A page is a sequence of blocks, and each block has exactly one job. When a page feels wrong it is usually not the styling — it is two blocks doing the same job, or a block doing none.

• One block, one argument. A hero makes a claim. Social proof supports it. A feature grid explains it. Pricing converts it. If you cannot name a block's argument, delete it.
• Alternate density. Dense, then open, then dense. Uniform density reads as a wall regardless of how good the individual blocks are.
• Every block needs a mobile form, and it is rarely "the same but narrower". A four-column feature grid becomes a two-by-two, not a four-high stack.
• Spacing carries the grouping. Space between blocks must exceed space within them, or the eye cannot find the seams.

For ordering blocks into a whole page, that is page-composition-engine. This skill is the blocks themselves.

Index

Reference architecture

What every reference file contains

1. The block's job in one sentence
2. Universal anatomy — the parts every variant shares
3. Breakpoint specifications, not just a mobile note
4. Each variant with the condition that selects it
5. Production HTML/CSS or TSX
6. The anti-pattern that variant invites

Routing

For heroes — anatomy, breakpoint specs, and variants from centered and split to full-bleed: read references/hero-section-patterns.md.

For content sections — universal block specs plus the 3-column, 4-column and alternating feature-grid variants: read references/content-section-patterns.md.

For conversion blocks — CTA banners, email-capture CTAs, and pricing tables with the psychology behind each: read references/cta-pricing-patterns.md.

For social proof — testimonial grids and carousels, logo walls, and review displays: read references/social-proof-patterns.md.

For navigation and footers as page blocks — standard top nav, mega menu, transparent-over-hero, and footer variants: read references/navigation-footer-patterns.md.

For dashboard blocks — layout patterns, the dashboard spacing system, KPI card rows and data-widget variants: read references/dashboard-data-patterns.md.

Cross-References

• component-patterns-code — Individual component implementation (buttons, inputs, modals, cards)
• screen-flow-patterns — Full page types and navigation flows between pages
• ui-pattern-intelligence — 200+ UI interaction patterns with benchmarks
• visual-design-mastery — Color, typography, and composition scoring
• platform-visual-standards — Platform-specific adaptations (iOS 26, Material 3, CSS)
• performance-states-patterns — Loading, error, skeleton states for every block
• accessibility-inclusive-design — WCAG requirements per block type
• sector-style-intelligence — Industry-specific block styling and sequencing
• interaction-motion-design — Animation and transition patterns for blocks
• page-composition-engine — How to stack blocks into complete pages
• responsive-block-patterns — Detailed breakpoint transformations for every block
• conversion-optimization-patterns — Which blocks convert best and where to place them

Production Code Patterns

Section Wrapper (React/TSX + Tailwind)

interface SectionProps {
  children: React.ReactNode;
  background?: 'white' | 'gray' | 'dark' | 'brand' | 'gradient';
  padding?: 'sm' | 'md' | 'lg' | 'xl';
  maxWidth?: 'narrow' | 'standard' | 'wide' | 'full';
  id?: string;
}

const paddingMap = { sm: 'py-8 md:py-12 lg:py-16', md: 'py-12 md:py-16 lg:py-20', lg: 'py-16 md:py-20 lg:py-24', xl: 'py-20 md:py-28 lg:py-32' };
const maxWidthMap = { narrow: 'max-w-3xl', standard: 'max-w-6xl', wide: 'max-w-7xl', full: 'max-w-full' };
const bgMap = { white: 'bg-white text-gray-900', gray: 'bg-gray-50 text-gray-900', dark: 'bg-gray-900 text-white', brand: 'bg-blue-600 text-white', gradient: 'bg-gradient-to-br from-blue-600 to-purple-700 text-white' };

export function Section({ children, background = 'white', padding = 'lg', maxWidth = 'standard', id }: SectionProps) {
  return (
    <section id={id} className={bgMap[background]}>
      <div className={`mx-auto px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8 ${maxWidthMap[maxWidth]} ${paddingMap[padding]}`}>{children}</div>
    </section>
  );
}

Section Header

export function SectionHeader({ label, title, description, align = 'center' }: { label?: string; title: string; description?: string; align?: 'left' | 'center' }) {
  const cls = align === 'center' ? 'text-center mx-auto' : 'text-left';
  return (
    <div className={`max-w-2xl mb-12 lg:mb-16 ${cls}`}>
      {label && <p className="text-sm font-semibold uppercase tracking-wider text-blue-600 mb-3">{label}</p>}
      <h2 className="text-3xl sm:text-4xl lg:text-5xl font-bold tracking-tight">{title}</h2>
      {description && <p className="mt-4 text-lg text-gray-600 leading-relaxed">{description}</p>}
    </div>
  );
}

CSS Custom Properties

:root {
  --section-py: clamp(3rem, 8vw, 7.5rem);
  --section-px: clamp(1rem, 5vw, 5rem);
  --section-max-width: 72rem;
  --section-title-size: clamp(1.875rem, 4vw, 3rem);
  --section-header-gap: clamp(2rem, 4vw, 4rem);
}
.section { padding: var(--section-py) var(--section-px); }
.section__inner { max-width: var(--section-max-width); margin-inline: auto; }

Block Quality Checklist

• Content flexibility: handles short AND long content without breaking?
• Responsive at 5 breakpoints (1440, 1024, 768, 480, 320)?
• Empty state: what renders with 0 items?
• Overflow state: what happens with 50+ items?
• Heading hierarchy: H2 section, H3 items, no skipping?
• ARIA landmarks: section + aria-labelledby?
• Keyboard navigation: all elements reachable?
• Images lazy-loaded below fold?
• prefers-reduced-motion respected?
• Consistent spacing, no magic numbers?
• Type scale followed, no orphaned heading words?
• Color contrast WCAG AA (4.5:1 text, 3:1 UI)?
• Visible focus indicators on interactive elements?
• Skeleton loading state for async content?
• Print styles render reasonably?
• RTL language support considered?