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Axis Flow Nav

A nav whose links are one flush line: the active link is loud, the rest condensed, and choosing another makes the width flow to it letter by letter while the nav never changes size.

FreeKinetic Typeeditorialminimal
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Programme

Props

No runtime dependencies
"use client";

import { useEffect, useId, useRef, useState, useSyncExternalStore } from "react";
import type { CSSProperties, KeyboardEvent as ReactKeyboardEvent, ReactNode, RefObject } from "react";

/**
 * AxisFlowNav — a nav whose links are one flush line.
 *
 * Together the links always fill the same measure, so when one grows the
 * others give it the room: the active link is loud (heavy, wide, high
 * contrast, in the accent), the rest quiet and condensed. Choose another and
 * the width flows to it, its letters swelling in turn (24ms apart); hovering
 * or focusing a link swells it halfway. Controlled (a scroll spy) or not;
 * the links fold into a menu on narrow containers.
 *
 * Part of the Kinetic Type kit: paper #f0ede2 and ink #131315 (an inverted
 * ink stage for loud sections), one accent that letters take only under
 * load (cobalt #2b3bff by default), and Science Gothic through
 * var(--font-science), whose weight (100-900), width (50-200), slant (-10-0)
 * and contrast (CTRS 0-85) axes are the interface. Respects
 * prefers-reduced-motion. No dependencies beyond React. Paste it as its own
 * file: it repeats the kit's small helpers and type engine, which would
 * clash in one module. Load Science Gothic with next/font (axes: ["wdth",
 * "slnt", "CTRS"], variable: "--font-science") on a parent; elsewhere, load
 * it from Google Fonts or @fontsource and set --font-science yourself. In a
 * face without a width axis, flush lines fall back to fitting by size.
 * Needs Tailwind v4 (on v3.4, add the @tailwindcss/container-queries plugin).
 */

const MONO = 'var(--font-mono, "Geist Mono", ui-monospace, "SFMono-Regular", Menlo, Consolas, monospace)';

const DISPLAY = 'var(--font-science, "Science Gothic", var(--font-sans, "Geist"), ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif)';

const EASE = "cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1)";

const HEX = /^#[0-9a-fA-F]{6}$/;

/** The two grounds: paper, and the inverted ink stage for one loud section. */
export type KtTone = "paper" | "ink";

const TONES = {
  paper: {
    ground: "#f0ede2",
    panel: "#e8e4d6",
    ink: "#131315",
    ink2: "rgba(19,19,21,0.68)",
    ink3: "rgba(19,19,21,0.46)",
    line: "rgba(19,19,21,0.14)",
    line2: "rgba(19,19,21,0.3)",
  },
  ink: {
    ground: "#131315",
    panel: "#1c1c20",
    ink: "#f0ede2",
    ink2: "rgba(240,237,226,0.7)",
    ink3: "rgba(240,237,226,0.48)",
    line: "rgba(240,237,226,0.14)",
    line2: "rgba(240,237,226,0.3)",
  },
} as const;

/** The accent letters take under load, per ground (the ink stage needs a lighter one to read). */
export const KT_PALETTES = {
  cobalt: { paper: "#2b3bff", ink: "#8f98ff" },
  vermilion: { paper: "#d9360b", ink: "#ff6a3d" },
  mono: { paper: "#131315", ink: "#f0ede2" },
} as const;

export type KtPaletteName = keyof typeof KT_PALETTES;

function own<T extends object>(map: T, key: string): key is Extract<keyof T, string> {
  return Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(map, key);
}

function toneOf(tone: string) {
  return own(TONES, tone) ? TONES[tone] : TONES.paper;
}

/** The accent for a palette on a ground. */
function accentOf(palette: string, tone: string): string {
  const p = own(KT_PALETTES, palette) ? KT_PALETTES[palette] : KT_PALETTES.cobalt;
  return tone === "ink" ? p.ink : p.paper;
}

function rgbOf(hex: string): [number, number, number] {
  const n = parseInt((HEX.test(hex) ? hex : "#131315").slice(1), 16);
  return [(n >> 16) & 255, (n >> 8) & 255, n & 255];
}

function mixHex(a: string, b: string, k: number): string {
  const x = rgbOf(a);
  const y = rgbOf(b);
  const t = Math.max(0, Math.min(1, k));
  const c = x.map((v, i) => Math.round(v + (y[i] - v) * t));
  return `rgb(${c[0]},${c[1]},${c[2]})`;
}

function clamp(v: number, lo: number, hi: number): number {
  return v < lo ? lo : v > hi ? hi : v;
}

/** Links: strip tabs and newlines, refuse backslashes, allow http(s), mailto, tel and same-site paths. */
function safeHref(raw: string): string {
  const v = raw.replace(/[\t\n\r]/g, "").trim();
  if (!v || v.includes("\\")) return "#";
  if (/^(https?:|mailto:|tel:)/i.test(v)) return v;
  if (/^[/#?]/.test(v) && !/^\/\//.test(v)) return v;
  return "#";
}

function subscribeMotion(cb: () => void) {
  const m = window.matchMedia("(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)");
  m.addEventListener("change", cb);
  return () => m.removeEventListener("change", cb);
}

/** True when the visitor asked for reduced motion. False on the server. */
function useReducedMotion(): boolean {
  return useSyncExternalStore(
    subscribeMotion,
    () => window.matchMedia("(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)").matches,
    () => false,
  );
}

// Each part carries only the CSS it needs, so any one of them works on its own.
// Nothing is interpolated into these sheets; colours arrive as CSS variables.
// revert-layer keeps an element's own rounded corners when a host page's focus rule flattens them.
const FOCUS_CSS = ".kt-scope :focus-visible,.kt-scope:focus-visible{outline:2px solid var(--kt-ring,#2b3bff);outline-offset:3px;border-radius:revert-layer}";

/** A point in the face's design space: weight, width, slant and contrast. */
export type KtAxes = { wght: number; wdth: number; slnt: number; CTRS: number };

/** A setting: weight, width, contrast and slant. */
function ax(wght: number, wdth: number, CTRS = 0, slnt = 0): KtAxes {
  return { wght, wdth, slnt, CTRS };
}

function mixAxes(a: KtAxes, b: KtAxes, k: number): KtAxes {
  return {
    wght: a.wght + (b.wght - a.wght) * k,
    wdth: a.wdth + (b.wdth - a.wdth) * k,
    slnt: a.slnt + (b.slnt - a.slnt) * k,
    CTRS: a.CTRS + (b.CTRS - a.CTRS) * k,
  };
}

/** The CSS for a setting, clamped to the face's ranges (wght 100-900, wdth 50-200, slnt -10-0, CTRS 0-85). */
function fvs(a: KtAxes): string {
  return `"wght" ${clamp(a.wght, 100, 900).toFixed(1)}, "wdth" ${clamp(a.wdth, 50, 200).toFixed(2)}, "slnt" ${clamp(a.slnt, -10, 0).toFixed(2)}, "CTRS" ${clamp(a.CTRS, 0, 85).toFixed(1)}`;
}

/** What a part knows about one letter when it sets its target. */
export type KtLetter = {
  /** Its line, its place in that line, and the line's letter count. */
  line: number;
  i: number;
  n: number;
  /** Its place across the whole part. */
  k: number;
  /** Its centre in the part's own pixels, as last laid out, and its line's font size. */
  x: number;
  y: number;
  size: number;
  /** The width offset its flush line adds to every letter, wdth units (0 for a free line). */
  o: number;
  /** Whatever the part stamped on it (data-kt-tag). */
  tag: string;
};

/** The frame a target is set in. */
export type KtFrame = {
  now: number;
  dt: number;
  /** The pointer in the part's pixels, or null when it is away. */
  px: number | null;
  py: number | null;
  /** Smoothed horizontal pointer speed, px/s. */
  vx: number;
  w: number;
  h: number;
};

/** A letter's goal: a setting, how far it is under load (0-1, ink to accent), and its opacity. */
export type KtTarget = { a: KtAxes; load?: number; op?: number };

export type KtSpec = {
  /** The resting setting: flush lines are sized at it. */
  rest: (l: KtLetter) => KtAxes;
  /** The goal this frame; null rests. */
  target?: (l: KtLetter, f: KtFrame) => KtTarget | null;
  /** Where a letter seen for the first time starts (an entrance). Defaults to rest. */
  enter?: (l: KtLetter) => KtTarget;
  ink: string;
  accent: string;
  /** Keep the loop awake though nothing is settling (a pointer inside, a scroll-linked part). */
  busy?: (f: KtFrame) => boolean;
  /** Called once a frame after the letters are written (a readout). */
  onFrame?: (f: KtFrame) => void;
};

type KtState = { cur: KtAxes; vel: KtAxes; load: number; lv: number; op: number; ov: number; out: string; col: string; opa: string };

type KtLineState = {
  box: HTMLElement;
  run: HTMLElement;
  flush: boolean;
  group: string;
  max: number;
  letters: HTMLElement[];
  metas: KtLetter[];
  /** Width offset added to every letter (wdth units); the size it should have and the size it shows (eased when text changes); a size factor for when width alone can't reach; px per wdth unit at 100px. */
  o: number;
  size: number;
  s: number;
  z: number;
  k: number;
  /** Letter-spacing in px, the last resort for a line that is short even at the widest setting. */
  sp: number;
  lo: number;
  hi: number;
  T: number;
  W: number;
};

// Springs with mass: stiffness 220, damping 24 (a slight overshoot, settled in ~400ms).
const K_SPRING = 220;

const C_SPRING = 24;

const AXIS_KEYS = ["wght", "wdth", "slnt", "CTRS"] as const;

function springTo(s: KtState, t: KtTarget, dt: number, still: boolean): boolean {
  const load = t.load ?? 0;
  const op = t.op ?? 1;
  if (still) {
    s.cur = { ...t.a };
    s.vel = ax(0, 0);
    s.load = load;
    s.op = op;
    return false;
  }
  let moving = false;
  const steps = dt > 1 / 60 ? 2 : 1;
  const h = dt / steps;
  for (let n = 0; n < steps; n++) {
    for (const key of AXIS_KEYS) {
      const x = s.cur[key];
      const v = s.vel[key] + (K_SPRING * (t.a[key] - x) - C_SPRING * s.vel[key]) * h;
      s.vel[key] = v;
      s.cur[key] = x + v * h;
    }
    s.lv += (K_SPRING * (load - s.load) - C_SPRING * s.lv) * h;
    s.load += s.lv * h;
    s.ov += (K_SPRING * (op - s.op) - C_SPRING * s.ov) * h;
    s.op += s.ov * h;
  }
  for (const key of AXIS_KEYS) if (Math.abs(t.a[key] - s.cur[key]) > 0.3 || Math.abs(s.vel[key]) > 0.6) moving = true;
  if (Math.abs(load - s.load) > 0.004 || Math.abs(op - s.op) > 0.004) moving = true;
  return moving;
}

/**
 * The kit's engine. Every letter under the host (a span with data-kt-g inside
 * a line with data-kt-line) springs toward the setting its part asks for,
 * frame by frame; a line marked "flush" is kept exactly as wide as its box by
 * solving one width offset for all its letters (and, only when width alone
 * can't reach, its size). Each frame writes every letter first and then reads
 * every width and position once, so one layout serves the whole part. It
 * sleeps when everything has settled and wakes on input, resize or new fonts,
 * and only runs while the host is near the screen.
 */
function useKinetic(hostRef: RefObject<HTMLElement | null>, spec: KtSpec, key: string) {
  const specRef = useRef(spec);
  useEffect(() => {
    specRef.current = spec;
  });
  const reduced = useReducedMotion();
  const wakeRef = useRef<() => void>(() => {});
  const rescanRef = useRef<() => void>(() => {});
  const syncRef = useRef<() => void>(() => {});
  const [wake] = useState(() => () => wakeRef.current());

  useEffect(() => {
    const host = hostRef.current;
    if (!host) return;
    let alive = true;
    const states = new WeakMap<HTMLElement, KtState>();
    let lines: KtLineState[] = [];
    let raf = 0;
    let last = 0;
    let visible = false;
    let px: number | null = null;
    let py: number | null = null;
    let vx = 0;
    let lastX = 0;
    let lastT = 0;
    let rect = host.getBoundingClientRect();
    let scale = 1;

    const mine = (el: Element) => el.closest("[data-kt-host]") === host;

    // Under reduced motion the pointer is ignored; discrete states still apply, without travel.
    const frameOf = (now: number, dt: number): KtFrame => ({
      now,
      dt,
      px: reduced ? null : px,
      py: reduced ? null : py,
      vx: reduced ? 0 : vx,
      w: rect.width / scale,
      h: rect.height / scale,
    });

    const targetOf = (m: KtLetter, f: KtFrame): KtTarget => {
      const sp = specRef.current;
      return sp.target?.(m, f) ?? { a: sp.rest(m) };
    };

    const readPositions = () => {
      rect = host.getBoundingClientRect();
      scale = rect.width / (host.offsetWidth || 1) || 1;
      for (const L of lines) {
        const fsz = L.flush ? L.s * L.z : parseFloat(getComputedStyle(L.box).fontSize) || 16;
        for (let i = 0; i < L.letters.length; i++) {
          const r = L.letters[i].getBoundingClientRect();
          const m = L.metas[i];
          m.x = (r.left + r.width / 2 - rect.left) / scale;
          m.y = (r.top + r.height / 2 - rect.top) / scale;
          m.size = fsz;
          m.o = L.flush ? L.o : 0;
        }
        if (L.flush) {
          L.W = L.run.getBoundingClientRect().width - L.sp * scale;
          L.T = L.box.getBoundingClientRect().width;
        }
      }
    };

    const scan = () => {
      const prev = lines;
      let k = 0;
      lines = Array.from(host.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>("[data-kt-line]"))
        .filter(mine)
        .map((box, li) => {
          const run = box.querySelector<HTMLElement>("[data-kt-run]") ?? box;
          const letters = Array.from(run.querySelectorAll<HTMLElement>("[data-kt-g]")).filter(mine);
          const old = prev.find((p) => p.box === box);
          const metas = letters.map((el, i) => ({ line: li, i, n: letters.length, k: k++, x: 0, y: 0, size: 16, o: 0, tag: el.dataset.ktTag ?? "" }));
          if (old) {
            old.letters.forEach((el, i) => {
              const j = letters.indexOf(el);
              if (j >= 0) {
                metas[j].x = old.metas[i].x;
                metas[j].y = old.metas[i].y;
                metas[j].size = old.metas[i].size;
              }
            });
          }
          return {
            box,
            run,
            flush: box.dataset.ktLine === "flush",
            group: box.dataset.ktGroup ?? "",
            max: Number(box.dataset.ktMax) || 1e6,
            letters,
            metas,
            o: old?.o ?? 0,
            size: old?.size ?? 0,
            s: old?.s ?? 0,
            z: old?.z ?? 1,
            sp: old?.sp ?? 0,
            k: old?.k ?? 0,
            lo: old?.lo ?? -50,
            hi: old?.hi ?? 100,
            T: 0,
            W: 0,
          };
        });
      const sp = specRef.current;
      const f = frameOf(performance.now(), 0);
      for (const L of lines) {
        L.letters.forEach((el, i) => {
          if (states.has(el)) return;
          const m = L.metas[i];
          const t = reduced ? targetOf(m, f) : (sp.enter?.(m) ?? targetOf(m, f));
          states.set(el, { cur: { ...t.a }, vel: ax(0, 0), load: t.load ?? 0, lv: 0, op: t.op ?? 1, ov: 0, out: "", col: "", opa: "" });
        });
      }
    };

    const writeAll = () => {
      const sp = specRef.current;
      for (const L of lines) {
        for (const el of L.letters) {
          const s = states.get(el);
          if (!s) continue;
          const out = fvs(L.flush ? { ...s.cur, wdth: s.cur.wdth + L.o } : s.cur);
          if (out !== s.out) {
            el.style.fontVariationSettings = out;
            s.out = out;
          }
          const col = s.load > 0.004 ? mixHex(sp.ink, sp.accent, s.load) : "";
          if (col !== s.col) {
            el.style.color = col;
            s.col = col;
          }
          const opa = s.op < 0.996 ? clamp(s.op, 0, 1).toFixed(3) : "";
          if (opa !== s.opa) {
            el.style.opacity = opa;
            s.opa = opa;
          }
        }
        if (L.flush) {
          const fs = `${(L.s * L.z).toFixed(2)}px`;
          if (L.box.style.fontSize !== fs) L.box.style.fontSize = fs;
          const ls = L.sp > 0.05 ? `${L.sp.toFixed(2)}px` : "";
          if (L.run.style.letterSpacing !== ls) {
            L.run.style.letterSpacing = ls;
            L.run.style.marginRight = ls ? `-${ls}` : "";
          }
        }
      }
    };

    // Sizes every flush line from two measurements at its rest setting and 100px, with no offset
    // and with +20 wdth: that gives its width, its px per wdth unit, and so its size and offset.
    const size = () => {
      const sp = specRef.current;
      rect = host.getBoundingClientRect();
      scale = rect.width / (host.offsetWidth || 1) || 1;
      const flush = lines.filter((L) => L.flush && L.letters.length);
      if (flush.length) {
        const rests = flush.map((L) => L.metas.map((m) => sp.rest(m)));
        flush.forEach((L) => {
          L.sp = 0;
          L.run.style.letterSpacing = "";
          L.run.style.marginRight = "";
        });
        const write = (d: number) =>
          flush.forEach((L, li) => {
            L.box.style.fontSize = "100px";
            L.letters.forEach((el, i) => {
              el.style.fontVariationSettings = fvs({ ...rests[li][i], wdth: rests[li][i].wdth + d });
            });
          });
        write(0);
        const T = flush.map((L) => L.box.getBoundingClientRect().width);
        const w0 = flush.map((L) => L.run.getBoundingClientRect().width);
        write(20);
        const w1 = flush.map((L) => L.run.getBoundingClientRect().width);
        flush.forEach((L) => {
          L.max = Number(L.box.dataset.ktMax) || 1e6;
        });
        const want = flush.map((L, i) => Math.min(L.max, (100 * T[i]) / Math.max(1, w0[i])));
        const groups = new Map<string, number>();
        flush.forEach((L, i) => {
          if (L.group) groups.set(L.group, Math.min(groups.get(L.group) ?? 1e6, want[i]));
        });
        flush.forEach((L, i) => {
          const s = Math.max(6, L.group ? (groups.get(L.group) ?? want[i]) : want[i]);
          const k100 = (w1[i] - w0[i]) / 20;
          const widths = rests[i].map((a) => a.wdth);
          L.lo = 50 - Math.max(...widths);
          L.hi = 200 - Math.min(...widths);
          L.size = s;
          // New text eases to its new size (the width solve keeps it flush meanwhile); a first sizing is immediate.
          if (!L.s || reduced) L.s = s;
          // A face without a width axis measures the same twice: then only the size can fit the line.
          L.k = k100 > 0.0005 * w0[i] ? k100 : 0;
          if (L.k > 0) {
            L.o = clamp(((100 * T[i]) / s - w0[i]) / k100, L.lo, L.hi);
            const w = (s / 100) * (w0[i] + k100 * L.o);
            L.z = clamp(T[i] / Math.max(1, w), 0.5, 1);
            // Still short at the widest setting: spread what is left between the letters.
            if (T[i] > w) L.sp = (T[i] - w) / scale / Math.max(1, L.letters.length - 1);
          } else {
            L.o = 0;
            L.z = clamp(T[i] / Math.max(1, (s / 100) * w0[i]), 0.3, 3);
          }
          L.letters.forEach((el) => {
            const st = states.get(el);
            if (st) st.out = "";
          });
        });
      }
      writeAll();
      readPositions();
    };

    // One step of the width solve per frame, a little under-relaxed; the size moves only when width is pinned.
    const solve = (): boolean => {
      let fitting = false;
      for (const L of lines) {
        if (!L.flush || L.T <= 0 || L.W <= 0) continue;
        const err = L.T - L.W;
        if (Math.abs(err) <= Math.max(0.6, L.T * 0.0006)) {
          if (L.z !== 1 && L.k > 0 && L.o > L.lo + 1 && L.o < L.hi - 1) {
            L.z += (1 - L.z) * 0.2;
            if (Math.abs(L.z - 1) < 0.002) L.z = 1;
            fitting = true;
          }
          continue;
        }
        fitting = true;
        if (L.k > 0) {
          const pinnedWide = L.o >= L.hi - 0.01;
          if (pinnedWide && err > 0) {
            L.sp += (0.85 * err) / scale / Math.max(1, L.letters.length - 1);
            continue;
          }
          if (L.sp > 0 && err < 0) {
            L.sp = Math.max(0, L.sp + (0.85 * err) / scale / Math.max(1, L.letters.length - 1));
            continue;
          }
          const next = clamp(L.o + (0.85 * err) / ((L.k * L.s * L.z) / 100), L.lo, L.hi);
          // Pinned at the axis limit: the size may shrink a line that would overflow, never grow one (a short line just stays short).
          if (next === L.lo || next === L.hi) L.z = clamp(L.z * (1 + (0.6 * err) / L.W), 0.5, 1);
          L.o = next;
        } else {
          L.z = clamp(L.z * (1 + (0.6 * err) / L.W), 0.3, 3);
        }
      }
      return fitting;
    };

    const tick = (now: number) => {
      raf = 0;
      const dt = last ? Math.min(1 / 30, (now - last) / 1000) : 1 / 60;
      last = now;
      vx *= Math.exp(-dt * 6);
      const sp = specRef.current;
      const f = frameOf(now, dt);
      let moving = false;
      for (const L of lines) {
        // The offset may take the widest letter down to 50 or the narrowest up to 200: the range follows the letters' current settings.
        if (L.flush && L.letters.length) {
          let lo = 200;
          let hi = 50;
          for (const el of L.letters) {
            const st = states.get(el);
            if (!st) continue;
            if (st.cur.wdth < lo) lo = st.cur.wdth;
            if (st.cur.wdth > hi) hi = st.cur.wdth;
          }
          L.lo = 50 - hi;
          L.hi = 200 - lo;
        }
        if (L.flush && L.s !== L.size) {
          L.s += (L.size - L.s) * (1 - Math.exp(-dt * 14));
          if (Math.abs(L.s - L.size) < 0.05) L.s = L.size;
          moving = true;
        }
        L.letters.forEach((el, i) => {
          const s = states.get(el);
          if (s && springTo(s, targetOf(L.metas[i], f), dt, reduced)) moving = true;
        });
      }
      writeAll();
      readPositions();
      const fitting = solve();
      sp.onFrame?.(f);
      const busy = !reduced && (sp.busy?.(f) ?? false);
      if ((moving || fitting || busy) && visible && !document.hidden) raf = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
      else last = 0;
    };

    const kick = () => {
      if (alive && !raf && visible && !document.hidden) raf = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
    };
    wakeRef.current = kick;
    rescanRef.current = () => {
      scan();
      size();
      kick();
    };
    // A render may have written a letter's resting style over the engine's: write everything again.
    syncRef.current = () => {
      for (const L of lines) {
        for (const el of L.letters) {
          const st = states.get(el);
          if (st) {
            st.out = "";
            st.col = "";
            st.opa = "";
          }
        }
      }
      writeAll();
    };

    const toLocal = (e: PointerEvent) => {
      rect = host.getBoundingClientRect();
      scale = rect.width / (host.offsetWidth || 1) || 1;
      const x = (e.clientX - rect.left) / scale;
      const t = performance.now();
      if (px !== null && t > lastT) vx = vx * 0.7 + ((x - lastX) / (t - lastT)) * 1000 * 0.3;
      lastX = x;
      lastT = t;
      px = x;
      py = (e.clientY - rect.top) / scale;
      kick();
    };
    const onLeave = () => {
      px = null;
      py = null;
      kick();
    };
    // A finger lifted is a pointer gone; a mouse stays until it leaves.
    const onUp = (e: PointerEvent) => {
      if (e.pointerType !== "mouse") onLeave();
    };
    host.addEventListener("pointermove", toLocal);
    host.addEventListener("pointerdown", toLocal);
    host.addEventListener("pointerup", onUp);
    host.addEventListener("pointerleave", onLeave);
    host.addEventListener("pointercancel", onLeave);

    const refit = () => {
      if (!alive) return;
      size();
      kick();
    };
    const ro = new ResizeObserver(refit);
    ro.observe(host);
    const io = new IntersectionObserver(
      (entries) => {
        visible = entries[entries.length - 1].isIntersecting;
        kick();
      },
      { rootMargin: "120px" },
    );
    io.observe(host);
    const fonts = document.fonts;
    fonts?.addEventListener?.("loadingdone", refit);
    fonts?.ready.then(refit);
    const onVis = () => kick();
    document.addEventListener("visibilitychange", onVis);

    scan();
    size();

    return () => {
      alive = false;
      cancelAnimationFrame(raf);
      wakeRef.current = () => {};
      rescanRef.current = () => {};
      syncRef.current = () => {};
      host.removeEventListener("pointermove", toLocal);
      host.removeEventListener("pointerdown", toLocal);
      host.removeEventListener("pointerup", onUp);
      host.removeEventListener("pointerleave", onLeave);
      host.removeEventListener("pointercancel", onLeave);
      ro.disconnect();
      io.disconnect();
      fonts?.removeEventListener?.("loadingdone", refit);
      document.removeEventListener("visibilitychange", onVis);
    };
  }, [hostRef, reduced]);

  // New letters or new text: find them, size the flush lines again, and let the springs run.
  useEffect(() => {
    rescanRef.current();
  }, [key]);

  // After every render: React owns each letter's first style, the engine owns every one after.
  useEffect(() => {
    syncRef.current();
  });

  return wake;
}

/** Splits text into letters (spaces kept as non-breaking, so a flush line never wraps). */
function lettersOf(text: string): string[] {
  return Array.from(text).map((ch) => (ch === " " ? "\u00a0" : ch));
}

/**
 * One line of letters for the engine. `flush` sets it exactly as wide as its
 * box; lines in the same `group` share one size, so they stand at one cap
 * height and differ only in width. The letters are aria-hidden: name the
 * line on its parent (an h1's aria-label, a button's text).
 */
function KtLine({
  text,
  rest,
  flush = false,
  group,
  max,
  tag,
  className,
  style,
}: {
  text: string;
  rest: KtAxes | ((i: number) => KtAxes);
  flush?: boolean;
  group?: string;
  /** Largest size a flush line may take, px. */
  max?: number;
  tag?: (i: number) => string;
  /** Classes on the line; give a flush line its first size here (for example "text-[18cqw]"), the engine then sets it in px. */
  className?: string;
  style?: CSSProperties;
}) {
  const letters = lettersOf(text);
  const glyph = (ch: string, i: number) => (
    <span key={i} data-kt-g="" data-kt-tag={tag?.(i)} className="inline-block whitespace-pre" style={{ fontVariationSettings: fvs(typeof rest === "function" ? rest(i) : rest) }}>
      {ch}
    </span>
  );
  // A free line may wrap, but only between words: each word is one unbreakable run of letters.
  const words: ReactNode[] = [];
  if (!flush) {
    let i = 0;
    text.split(" ").forEach((word, w) => {
      if (w > 0) {
        words.push(" ");
        i++;
      }
      const start = i;
      words.push(
        <span key={"w" + w} className="inline-block whitespace-nowrap">
          {Array.from(word).map((ch, j) => glyph(ch, start + j))}
        </span>,
      );
      i += Array.from(word).length;
    });
  }
  return (
    <span
      data-kt-line={flush ? "flush" : "free"}
      data-kt-group={group}
      data-kt-max={max}
      className={(flush ? "block whitespace-nowrap " : "") + (className ?? "")}
      style={{ fontFamily: DISPLAY, ...style }}
    >
      <span data-kt-run="" aria-hidden className={flush ? "inline-block" : undefined}>
        {flush ? letters.map(glyph) : words}
      </span>
    </span>
  );
}

/** Pressure: 1 under the pointer, falling off as a gaussian over `reach` sizes of the line's type (wider than tall). */
function pressureAt(l: KtLetter, f: KtFrame, reach = 1.1): number {
  if (f.px === null || f.py === null) return 0;
  const r = Math.max(24, l.size * reach);
  const dx = (l.x - f.px) / r;
  const dy = (l.y - f.py) / (r * 1.4);
  return Math.exp(-(dx * dx + dy * dy));
}

/** A lean from the pointer's sideways speed: letters slant into a fast sweep and spring back. */
function leanOf(f: KtFrame, p: number): number {
  return -clamp(Math.abs(f.vx) / 900, 0, 1) * 10 * Math.min(1, p * 1.6);
}

export type KtLink = { label: string; href: string };

const BUTTON_REST = ax(560, 104);

export type AxisPressButtonProps = {
  children: string;
  href?: string;
  onClick?: () => void;
  type?: "button" | "submit";
  /** "solid" (ink) for the main action, "quiet" (a hairline) for the second. */
  variant?: "solid" | "quiet";
  size?: "lg" | "md";
  palette?: KtPaletteName;
  /** The ground the button sits on. */
  tone?: KtTone;
  disabled?: boolean;
  className?: string;
};

/**
 * A button whose label is the control. The letters under the pointer swell
 * heavier and wider while the rest condense to make room, so the label moves
 * but the button never changes size; a press (or Enter or Space) clenches
 * every letter to full weight and contrast, and release springs them back
 * past rest. The label is set flush inside a box sized by its resting width.
 * Renders a link when given an href, else a button.
 */
export function AxisPressButton({ children, href, onClick, type = "button", variant = "solid", size = "lg", palette = "cobalt", tone = "paper", disabled, className }: AxisPressButtonProps) {
  const solid = variant === "solid";
  // A solid button is ink on its ground, so its letters sit on the other tone.
  const face: KtTone = solid ? (tone === "ink" ? "paper" : "ink") : tone;
  const t = toneOf(tone);
  const f = toneOf(face);
  const aRef = useRef<HTMLAnchorElement>(null);
  const bRef = useRef<HTMLButtonElement>(null);
  const down = useRef(false);
  const wake = useKinetic(
    href ? aRef : bRef,
    {
      rest: () => BUTTON_REST,
      target: (l, fr) => {
        if (disabled) return null;
        if (down.current) return { a: ax(900, 72, 85), load: 1 };
        const p = pressureAt(l, fr, 1.7);
        return { a: mixAxes(BUTTON_REST, ax(860, 140, 46, leanOf(fr, p)), p), load: p * 0.9 };
      },
      ink: f.ink,
      accent: accentOf(palette, face),
    },
    children,
  );
  const press = (on: boolean) => {
    if (disabled && on) return;
    down.current = on;
    wake();
  };
  const onKeyDown = (e: ReactKeyboardEvent) => {
    if (!e.repeat && (e.key === "Enter" || e.key === " ")) press(true);
  };
  const cls =
    "kt-scope relative inline-flex select-none items-center justify-center rounded-[12px] uppercase outline-none transition-[background-color,border-color] duration-200 " +
    (size === "lg" ? "h-14 px-7 text-[17px] " : "h-11 px-5 text-[14px] ") +
    (disabled ? "pointer-events-none opacity-45 " : "cursor-pointer ") +
    (className ?? "");
  const style = {
    background: solid ? t.ink : "transparent",
    color: f.ink,
    border: `1px solid ${solid ? t.ink : t.line2}`,
    touchAction: "manipulation",
    "--kt-ring": accentOf(palette, tone),
  } as CSSProperties;
  const label = (
    <span className="relative block leading-none">
      <span aria-hidden className="invisible block whitespace-pre" style={{ fontFamily: DISPLAY, fontVariationSettings: fvs(BUTTON_REST) }}>
        {children}
      </span>
      <span className="absolute inset-0 flex items-center">
        <KtLine text={children} rest={BUTTON_REST} flush className="w-full" style={{ lineHeight: 1 }} />
      </span>
    </span>
  );
  const handlers = {
    onPointerDown: () => press(true),
    onPointerUp: () => press(false),
    onPointerLeave: () => press(false),
    onPointerCancel: () => press(false),
    onKeyDown,
    onKeyUp: () => press(false),
    onBlur: () => press(false),
  };
  if (href) {
    return (
      <>
        <style>{FOCUS_CSS}</style>
        <a ref={aRef} data-kt-host="" href={safeHref(href)} onClick={onClick} aria-label={children} className={cls} style={style} {...handlers}>
          {label}
        </a>
      </>
    );
  }
  return (
    <>
      <style>{FOCUS_CSS}</style>
      <button ref={bRef} data-kt-host="" type={type} onClick={onClick} disabled={disabled} aria-label={children} className={cls} style={style} {...handlers}>
        {label}
      </button>
    </>
  );
}

const NAV_SET = ax(420, 100);

const NAV_IDLE = ax(330, 82);

const NAV_HOVER = ax(620, 122, 24);

const NAV_ACTIVE = ax(840, 152, 58);

const NAV_BRAND = ax(880, 64);

const NAV_CSS = "@keyframes kt-drop{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(-6px)}to{opacity:1;transform:none}}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.kt-drop{animation:none!important}}";

export type AxisFlowNavProps = {
  brand: string;
  links: KtLink[];
  cta?: KtLink;
  /** The active link's href, when the page controls it (a scroll spy). */
  active?: string;
  /** The link active at first, when the nav controls it. */
  defaultActive?: string;
  onNavigate?: (href: string) => void;
  palette?: KtPaletteName;
  tone?: KtTone;
  className?: string;
};

/**
 * A nav whose links are one flush line: together they always fill the same
 * measure, so when one link grows the others give it the room. The active link
 * is loud (heavy, wide, high contrast, in the accent) and the rest are quiet
 * and condensed; choose another and the width flows to it, its letters
 * swelling one after another (24ms apart) while the old one gives the width
 * back. Hovering or focusing a link swells it halfway. Controlled (a scroll
 * spy) or not; the links fold into a menu on narrow containers. The call to
 * action is the kit's AxisPressButton.
 */
export function AxisFlowNav({ brand, links, cta, active, defaultActive, onNavigate, palette = "cobalt", tone = "paper", className }: AxisFlowNavProps) {
  const t = toneOf(tone);
  const accent = accentOf(palette, tone);
  const [chosen, setChosen] = useState(defaultActive ?? links[0]?.href ?? "");
  const [open, setOpen] = useState(false);
  const [hover, setHover] = useState(-1);
  const current = active ?? chosen;
  const on = links.findIndex((l) => l.href === current);
  const hostRef = useRef<HTMLElement>(null);
  const menuRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
  const toggleRef = useRef<HTMLButtonElement>(null);
  const panelId = useId();
  // When the active link changes, its letters swell in turn from the left.
  const change = useRef({ on, at: 0 });
  const wake = useKinetic(
    hostRef,
    {
      rest: (l) => (l.tag === "brand" ? NAV_BRAND : NAV_SET),
      target: (l, f) => {
        if (l.tag === "brand") {
          const p = pressureAt(l, f, 1.6);
          return { a: mixAxes(NAV_BRAND, ax(900, 120, 70, leanOf(f, p)), p), load: p };
        }
        const li = Number(l.tag);
        const c = change.current;
        const late = li === on && c.on === on && f.now < c.at + l.i * 24;
        const base = li === on && !late ? NAV_ACTIVE : li === hover ? NAV_HOVER : NAV_IDLE;
        const p = pressureAt(l, f, 1.5) * 0.5;
        return { a: mixAxes(base, NAV_ACTIVE, p), load: li === on && !late ? 1 : p };
      },
      busy: (f) => f.now < change.current.at + 600,
      ink: t.ink,
      accent,
    },
    links.map((l) => l.label).join("|") + brand,
  );

  useEffect(() => {
    change.current = { on, at: performance.now() };
    wake();
  }, [on, wake]);
  useEffect(() => {
    wake();
  }, [hover, wake]);

  // The menu closes on Escape (focus returns to its button) or a click outside.
  useEffect(() => {
    if (!open) return;
    const onKey = (e: KeyboardEvent) => {
      if (e.key === "Escape") {
        setOpen(false);
        toggleRef.current?.focus();
      }
    };
    const onDown = (e: PointerEvent) => {
      const n = e.target as Node;
      if (!menuRef.current?.contains(n) && !toggleRef.current?.contains(n)) setOpen(false);
    };
    document.addEventListener("keydown", onKey);
    document.addEventListener("pointerdown", onDown);
    return () => {
      document.removeEventListener("keydown", onKey);
      document.removeEventListener("pointerdown", onDown);
    };
  }, [open]);

  const go = (href: string) => {
    setChosen(href);
    setOpen(false);
    onNavigate?.(href);
  };

  const vars = { background: t.ground, color: t.ink, "--kt-ring": accent } as CSSProperties;
  return (
    <header ref={hostRef} data-kt-host="" className={"kt-scope @container relative w-full " + (className ?? "")} style={vars}>
      <style>{FOCUS_CSS + NAV_CSS}</style>
      <nav aria-label="Main" className="flex h-16 items-center gap-6 border-b px-5 @3xl:h-[72px] @3xl:px-8" style={{ borderColor: t.line }}>
        <a href="#" aria-label={brand} className="shrink-0 text-[19px] uppercase leading-none @3xl:text-[21px]" onClick={(e) => {
            if (!onNavigate) return;
            e.preventDefault();
            onNavigate("#top");
          }}>
          <KtLine text={brand} rest={NAV_BRAND} tag={() => "brand"} />
        </a>
        <div className="relative mx-auto hidden text-[14px] uppercase leading-none @3xl:block">
          {/* The measure: every link at one even setting. The live line is set flush over it, so the nav never changes width. */}
          <span aria-hidden className="invisible flex gap-[1.3em] whitespace-nowrap" style={{ fontFamily: DISPLAY, fontVariationSettings: fvs(NAV_SET) }}>
            {links.map((l) => (
              <span key={l.href}>{l.label}</span>
            ))}
          </span>
          <div data-kt-line="flush" className="absolute inset-0 flex items-center" style={{ fontFamily: DISPLAY }}>
            <span data-kt-run="" className="inline-flex items-center gap-[1.3em] whitespace-nowrap">
              {links.map((l, li) => (
                <a
                  key={l.href}
                  href={safeHref(l.href)}
                  aria-current={li === on ? "page" : undefined}
                  className="-my-3 inline-block py-3"
                  onClick={(e) => {
                    // With a handler, the page moves itself (a smooth scroll); without one, the link behaves as a link.
                    if (l.href.startsWith("#") && onNavigate) e.preventDefault();
                    go(l.href);
                  }}
                  onPointerEnter={() => setHover(li)}
                  onPointerLeave={() => setHover(-1)}
                  onFocus={() => setHover(li)}
                  onBlur={() => setHover(-1)}
                >
                  <span className="sr-only">{l.label}</span>
                  <span aria-hidden>
                    {lettersOf(l.label).map((ch, i) => (
                      <span key={i} data-kt-g="" data-kt-tag={String(li)} className="inline-block whitespace-pre" style={{ fontVariationSettings: fvs(NAV_IDLE) }}>
                        {ch}
                      </span>
                    ))}
                  </span>
                </a>
              ))}
            </span>
          </div>
        </div>
        <div className="ml-auto flex items-center gap-3 @3xl:ml-0">
          {cta ? (
            <span className="hidden @xl:inline-flex">
              <AxisPressButton href={cta.href} size="md" palette={palette} tone={tone}>
                {cta.label}
              </AxisPressButton>
            </span>
          ) : null}
          <button
            ref={toggleRef}
            type="button"
            aria-expanded={open}
            aria-controls={panelId}
            onClick={() => setOpen((v) => !v)}
            className="inline-flex h-11 items-center rounded-[12px] border px-4 text-[12px] uppercase tracking-[0.14em] @3xl:hidden"
            style={{ fontFamily: MONO, borderColor: t.line2 }}
          >
            {open ? "Close" : "Menu"}
          </button>
        </div>
      </nav>
      <div ref={menuRef} id={panelId} hidden={!open} className="kt-drop absolute inset-x-0 top-full z-20 border-b px-5 pb-6 pt-3 @3xl:hidden" style={{ background: t.ground, borderColor: t.line, animation: `kt-drop 240ms ${EASE}` }}>
        <ul className="m-0 list-none p-0">
          {links.map((l, li) => (
            <li key={l.href} className="border-b last:border-b-0" style={{ borderColor: t.line }}>
              <a
                href={safeHref(l.href)}
                aria-current={li === on ? "page" : undefined}
                className="block py-3 text-[30px] uppercase leading-none"
                style={{ fontFamily: DISPLAY, fontVariationSettings: fvs(li === on ? NAV_ACTIVE : NAV_SET), color: li === on ? accent : t.ink }}
                onClick={(e) => {
                  if (l.href.startsWith("#") && onNavigate) e.preventDefault();
                  go(l.href);
                }}
              >
                {l.label}
              </a>
            </li>
          ))}
          {cta ? (
            <li className="pt-4 @xl:hidden">
              <AxisPressButton href={cta.href} size="md" palette={palette} tone={tone}>
                {cta.label}
              </AxisPressButton>
            </li>
          ) : null}
        </ul>
      </div>
    </header>
  );
}
Notes

About this component

A navigation bar where the active state is typography rather than a pill or an underline. The links are one flush line laid over an invisible copy of themselves at an even setting, so together they always fill the same measure: the active link is loud (heavy, wide, high contrast, in the accent) and the others quiet and condensed. Choose another link and the width flows to it, its letters swelling one after another while the old link gives its room back; hovering or focusing a link swells it halfway, and the wordmark answers the pointer. The nav never changes width, so nothing around it moves. The active link can be controlled (the kit's site drives it from a scroll spy) or left to the nav, and on a narrow container the links fold into a menu.

Curator’s note

The Kinetic Type kit's navigation (slot 5), cut from kinetic-type-site, where a scroll spy drives it. Free: the links are one flush line over an invisible even setting, so width moves between them instead of a pill moving under them.

Related

Pairs well with

Matched on shared tags and category — the entries most likely to be used alongside this one.

New

A nav whose active link is marked by a band of ASCII density: characters thicken through a ramp under the active link and flow to the next one on a spring, its peak in signal.

navigationnavbarascii
New

A nav whose single hairline stretches toward the next link and settles under it: its leading edge runs ahead on a quick spring while its trailing edge follows on a slower one, and the active label steps up a weight without shifting.

navigationnavbarunderline

Aurora Flow Nav

components

A floating night-glass nav whose active mark is a band of aurora light that takes the colour of the sky above its link and flows to the next one leading edge first.

navigationnavbarindicator