Adapt designs across breakpoints, device contexts, and platform constraints with responsive interaction quality.
Real-world examples
Live HTML demos for this skill — rendered directly in the page. 4 examples.
- 02
Table → stacked cards
Wide data table collapses to labeled cards via display:block and data-label attributes — content kept, layout rethought for narrow viewports.
- 03
Pointer & hover queries
Adapt by input method, not screen width: coarse pointers get 44px targets and active feedback; hover:hover unlocks lift states that touch never relies on.
- 04
Desktop → mobile rethink
Multi-column dashboard becomes single-column + bottom nav + progressive disclosure — thumbs-first reach, safe-area insets, clamp() fluid type. Adaptation, not scale.
Skill markdown
> **Additional context needed**: target platforms/devices and usage contexts. Adapt an existing design to a different context: another screen size, device, platform, or use case. The trap is treating adaptation as scaling. The job is rethinking the experience for the new context. **Web only** (mobile web included). Native platforms (`ios` / `android` / `adaptive`) route to [adapt.native.md](adapt.native.md) instead; if the project is native, switch to it now. --- ## Assess Adaptation Challenge Understand what needs adaptation and why: 1. **Identify the source context**: - What was it designed for originally? (Desktop web? Mobile app?) - What assumptions were made? (Large screen? Mouse input? Fast connection?) - What works well in current context? 2. **Understand target context**: - **Device**: Mobile, tablet, desktop, TV, watch, print? - **Input method**: Touch, mouse, keyboard, voice, gamepad? - **Screen constraints**: Size, resolution, orientation? - **Connection**: Fast wifi, slow 3G, offline? - **Usage context**: On-the-go vs desk, quick glance vs focused reading? - **User expectations**: What do users expect on this platform? 3. **Identify adaptation challenges**: - What won't fit? (Content, navigation, features) - What won't work? (Hover states on touch, tiny touch targets) - What's inappropriate? (Desktop patterns on mobile, mobile patterns on desktop) **CRITICAL**: Adaptation is rethinking the experience for the new context, not scaling pixels. ## Plan Adaptation Strategy Create context-appropriate strategy: ### Mobile Adaptation (Desktop → Mobile) **Layout Strategy**: - Single column instead of multi-column - Vertical stacking instead of side-by-side - Full-width components instead of fixed widths - Bottom navigation instead of top/side navigation **Interaction Strategy**: - Touch targets 44x44px minimum (not hover-dependent) - Swipe gestures where appropriate (lists, carousels) - Bottom sheets instead of dropdowns - Thumbs-first design (controls within thumb reach) - Larger tap areas with more spacing **Content Strategy**: - Progressive disclosure (don't show everything at once) - Prioritize primary content (secondary content in tabs/accordions) - Shorter text (more concise) - Larger text (16px minimum) **Navigation Strategy**: - Hamburger menu or bottom navigation - Reduce navigation complexity - Sticky headers for context - Back button in navigation flow ### Tablet Adaptation (Hybrid Approach) **Layout Strategy**: - Two-column layouts (not single or three-column) - Side panels for secondary content - Master-detail views (list + detail) - Adaptive based on orientation (portrait vs landscape) **Interaction Strategy**: - Support both touch and pointer - Touch targets 44x44px but allow denser layouts than phone - Side navigation drawers - Multi-column forms where appropriate ### Desktop Adaptation (Mobile → Desktop) **Layout Strategy**: - Multi-column layouts (use horizontal space) - Side navigation always visible - Multiple information panels simultaneously - Fixed widths with max-width constraints (don't stretch to 4K) **Interaction Strategy**: - Hover states for additional information - Keyboard shortcuts - Right-click context menus - Drag and drop where helpful - Multi-select with Shift/Cmd **Content Strategy**: - Show more information upfront (less progressive disclosure) - Data tables with many columns - Richer visualizations - More detailed descriptions ### Print Adaptation (Screen → Print) **Layout Strategy**: - Page breaks at logical points - Remove navigation, footer, interactive elements - Black and white (or limited color) - Proper margins for binding **Content Strategy**: - Expand shortened content (show full URLs, hidden sections) - Add page numbers, headers, footers - Include metadata (print date, page title) - Convert charts to print-friendly versions ### Email Adaptation (Web → Email) **Layout Strategy**: - Narrow width (600px max) - Single column only - Inline CSS (no external stylesheets) - Table-based layouts (for email client compatibility) **Interaction Strategy**: - Large, obvious CTAs (buttons not text links) - No hover states (not reliable) - Deep links to web app for complex interactions ## Implement Adaptations Apply changes systematically: ### Responsive Breakpoints Choose appropriate breakpoints: - Mobile: 320px-767px - Tablet: 768px-1023px - Desktop: 1024px+ - Or content-driven breakpoints (where design breaks) ### Layout Adaptation Techniques - **CSS Grid/Flexbox**: Reflow layouts automatically - **Container Queries**: Adapt based on container, not viewport - **`clamp()`**: Fluid sizing between min and max - **Media queries**: Different styles for different contexts - **Display properties**: Show/hide elements per context ### Touch Adaptation - Increase touch target sizes (44x44px minimum) - Add more spacing between interactive elements - Remove hover-dependent interactions - Add touch feedback (r …
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