ECSS – Simple rules for efficient CSS
A list of CSS authoring rules with examples and a Stylelint config accessible from the top of the page. I've come to these through 20 years of experience and a willingness to make vanilla CSS a better alternative to frameworks. I encourage you all to comment on the rules themselves and the Stylelint Config for ECSS. Here's the link for faster access (I still suggest at least zipping through the rules beforehand). https://www.npmjs.com/package/@efficientcss/stylelint-config...
ECSS – Simple rules for efficient CSS launched on March 13, 2024 with 43 votes, #1,033 of 4,270 launches that month and more than 90% of that year's launches. The site was still online in September 2026, 2 years on.
In plain words
ECSS is a collection of CSS authoring rules with accompanying examples and a Stylelint configuration file. Designed for web developers who prefer vanilla CSS over frameworks, it offers practical guidelines developed through 20 years of professional experience. The resource includes both the rule documentation and a ready-to-use Stylelint config to help developers write more efficient and maintainable stylesheets.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
ECSS sets simple rules for simple styling. No more naming everything, no more technological dependencies. Only intentional, consistent, simple, expressive, predictable, sustainable CSS.
Efficient CSS is all you need to avoid common styling problems. Nothing more, really. ECSS sets simple rules for efficient styling. No more naming everything, no more technological dependencies. Only intentional, consistent, expressive, predictable, sustainable CSS. Because CSS as a language is misunderstood and undeservedly maligned. Because simple rules and low impact tools can go a long way in making sure the CSS codebase is light, simple and scalable. ECSS is a global approach to producing efficient design systems with CSS. Every parcel of CSS has an objective. This objective should be clear to anyone reading the code. Be it HTML or CSS. Selectors are the perfect vehicle for…from ecss.info
Does a similar job
all alternatives →
Water.css – A just-add-css collection of styles to make websites nicer2019 · github.com · ▲501A drop-in collection of CSS styles to make simple websites just a little nicer - kognise/water.css
Pattern.css – CSS-only library to fill empty background with patterns2020 · github.com · ▲332CSS only library to fill empty background with beautiful patterns. - bansal/pattern.css
- M2My 24-hour project, instacss.com2011 · instacss.com · ▲90
http://instacss.com (in case DNS update hasn't propagated: http://morning-warrior-3377.herokuapp.com/) Last night I was annoyed at how slow (and web 1.0-ish) most CSS reference sites seem to be, so I created this. It's basically a scrape of the CSS reference on w3schools, but with client side searching. Feedback is most welcome! some of the tech involved: node, requirejs, backbone, mongodb the code: http://github.com/rgarcia/instacss
More life & fun this month
the category →
A free city-building game in your browser. You are the mayor. You know what the city needs. Now get it past the zoning board, the neighbors, the appeals court and the next election.
Life & fun · 2d ago · permit.petercai.com
- IV
Life & fun · 14d ago · tanzaniaeducationproject.org
Turn a phone, tablet or TV into a sign. Type a message and it fills the screen: welcome signs, timers, Wi-Fi passwords and more. No app, no account, free.
Life & fun · 15d ago · bigwords.page
Play a free virtual guitar online with your keyboard or by touch. Slow songs down and see every chord, string and strum. Acoustic, classic, electric and bass.
Life & fun · 9d ago · guitoro.com
Carrier settings from iPhone, Pixel and Galaxy firmware, decoded and compared: APNs, VoLTE, 5G and Wi-Fi Calling per carrier, and what each build changed.
Life & fun · 13d ago · carrierexplode.com
Life & fun · 23d ago · space.bl2.net
Source: Show HN post ↗
Launched alongside, March 2024
the whole month →
🌐 The Internet Computer! Free, Open-Source, and Self-Hostable. - HeyPuter/puter
Dev tools · 2024 · github.com
Microlaunch▲1,115Launch and get feedback on both the idea and product
Dev tools · 2024 · microlaunch.net
