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No.274 · Sections

Step Path

A 'how it works' section where a single line runs through the steps and draws itself as you scroll; each step lights up at the moment the line reaches it.

The prompt

Written for the variant you picked above: Frost

Build a vertical 'how it works' section connected by one line. Each step is a 46px round node with a mono number, then a mono meta label in the accent, an Instrument Serif title and a muted paragraph. A 1px rail runs behind all the nodes; on top of it an accent 'ink' line (with a soft fade at the very top) is scaled on Y by scroll progress — the point 60% down the viewport (or scroll container) mapped across the section — so reading down literally draws the path. A small glowing dot rides the tip of the line (counter-scaled so it stays round). Each node's position along the rail is measured (ResizeObserver). When the ink reaches a node, that step 'arrives': the node fills with a tinted accent, gains an accent ring and a soft halo, and its copy rises from 38% opacity and slides in 6px. Scrolling back up reverses it. Reduced motion shows the whole path drawn. Selected variant — Frost: accent="#b9cce4" (frost blue) ink line, tip dot and arrived nodes.

Notes

Interaction
Scroll through the section; the line draws with you and each step lights when reached.
Motion
Scroll-linked scaleY of the line (rAF-throttled); node and copy transitions 400–700ms expo-out when reached.
Accessibility
An ordered list of real headings and paragraphs; the rail and numbers are decorative. Reduced motion shows everything fully drawn.
Responsive
Fluid to 38rem; gaps and type scale down on small screens.
On touch
Works identically with touch scrolling.

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