LLM Prompts

Mastering CSS Layout: A Step-by-Step Guide with ChatGPT

Learn and apply CSS Grid and Flexbox with practical, code-generating prompts.

The method

This prompt set is designed to guide you through learning CSS Grid and Flexbox. Use the 'Explain' prompts to understand core concepts. Then, use the 'Practical Application' prompts to generate code snippets for common layout scenarios. Test the generated code in a browser to see the results. Iterate by modifying the prompts for customized solutions. Use 'Code optimization' prompts to make your CSS code more efficient.

The prompts

Prompt 1
Explain the fundamental differences between CSS Grid and Flexbox. Provide clear examples illustrating when to use each layout method. Focus on scenarios like complex page layouts (Grid) versus single-direction content alignment (Flexbox). Include code snippets and visual representations to aid understanding. What are the key properties and values for Grid and Flexbox containers and items? Mention browser compatibility considerations and best practices for responsive design.
Prompt 2
I need to create a two-column website layout with a fixed-width sidebar and a flexible main content area using CSS Grid. Generate the necessary CSS code, including appropriate grid-template-columns, grid-template-rows, and gap properties. Ensure the layout is responsive and adapts to different screen sizes. The sidebar should occupy 300px, and the remaining space should be allocated to the main content. Provide comments explaining each part of the code. Also, suggest alternative approaches for achieving the same layout using Flexbox and compare the pros and cons of each method.
Prompt 3
Write CSS code to center a div both horizontally and vertically within its parent container using Flexbox. Explain the role of align-items and justify-content properties in achieving this effect. Also, provide an alternative solution using CSS Grid, highlighting the differences in syntax and approach. The solution should work for containers with both fixed and dynamic dimensions. Include a demonstration in HTML that shows the proper usage of the produced CSS code, and provide some extra tips on how to make it more efficient.
Prompt 4
Given the following CSS Grid code:

.container {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(250px, 1fr));
gap: 20px;
}

Optimize this code for better performance and readability. Explain the purpose of each property and value. Suggest alternative approaches for achieving the same layout with improved efficiency. Consider factors like browser rendering and the number of elements within the grid. Provide insights into how to handle different screen sizes and device orientations. Highlight the benefits of using 'auto-fit' versus 'auto-fill' and explain the importance of setting explicit row heights when appropriate.