36 CSS Search Bars
16 / 36

All 36 in 36 CSS Search Bars

  1. 01Command Palette Cmd+K Search Bar
  2. 02Algolia-Style Instant Search with Highlighted Results Dropdown
  3. 03E-Commerce Product Search Bar with Category Scope Dropdown
  4. 04Header Navbar Integrated Sticky Search Bar
  5. 05SaaS Dashboard Command Search with Recent and Suggested
  6. 06Minimal CSS Search Bar with Animated Underline
  7. 07CSS Rounded Pill Search Bar with Submit Button
  8. 08Glassmorphism CSS Search Bar (Backdrop Blur)
  9. 09Neon Glow CSS Search Bar (Cyberpunk)
  10. 10CSS Search Bar with Animated Caret Highlight
  11. 11CSS Search Bar with Voice Input Microphone Button
  12. 12CSS Search Bar with Loading Spinner Indicator
  13. 13CSS Search Bar with Clear Button (X on Type)
  14. 14Animated Expanding CSS Search Bar on Focus
  15. 15CSS Search Bar with Autocomplete Suggestions Dropdown
  16. 16CSS Search Bar with Keyboard Shortcut Hint (Cmd K / Ctrl K)
  17. 17CSS Search Bar with Filter Chip Tags
  18. 18CSS Search Bar with Recent Searches Dropdown
  19. 19CSS Search Bar with Rotating Placeholder Text
  20. 20CSS People Search Bar with Avatar Chips
  21. 21Neo-Brutalist CSS Search Bar with Offset Stamp
  22. 22Compact Toolbar CSS Search Bar (Docs / Wiki)
  23. 23Hero Section CSS Search Bar with CTA
  24. 24CSS Search Bar with Side Category Indicator
  25. 25Floating CSS Search Bar with Drop Shadow (Elevated)
  26. 26CSS Search + Filter Sidebar Combo Bar
  27. 27CSS Search Bar with Inline Loading Progress Bar
  28. 28CSS Search Bar with Dual-Tone Border Outline
  29. 29CSS Glitch Search Bar with RGB Split Effect
  30. 30Mobile-First Compact CSS Search Bar
  31. 31CSS Search Bar with Focus Ring Bloom Animation
  32. 32CSS Search Bar Combo with Scope Selector
  33. 33CSS Search Bar with Inset Pressed 3D Effect
  34. 34CSS Search Bar with Animated Border Trace
  35. 35Floating Card CSS Search Bar (Modal Style)
  36. 36Aurora Gradient CSS Search Bar
Light JSMIT licensed

CSS Search Bar with Keyboard Shortcut Hint (Cmd K / Ctrl K)

The documentation-site classic: a quiet search field with a <kbd> chip pinned inside the right edge, showing ⌘K on Mac and Ctrl K on Windows/Linux. Focus the field with the shortcut and the chip flips to an esc hint.

Live Demo
Try it

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The code

<div class="sb-16">
  <button class="sb-16__theme" type="button" aria-pressed="false" aria-label="Switch to dark theme">
    <svg class="sb-16__moon" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M20 14.2A8.2 8.2 0 0 1 9.8 4 8.4 8.4 0 1 0 20 14.2"/></svg>
    <svg class="sb-16__sun" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="4"/><path d="M12 3.4v2M12 18.6v2M3.4 12h2M18.6 12h2M6 6l1.4 1.4M16.6 16.6 18 18M18 6l-1.4 1.4M7.4 16.6 6 18"/></svg>
  </button>
  <div class="sb-16__stage">
    <div class="sb-16__bar" role="search">
      <svg class="sb-16__ico" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="11" cy="11" r="6.2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.7"/><path d="m15.8 15.8 4.4 4.4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.7" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
      <label class="sb-16__vh" for="sb-16-input">Search documentation</label>
      <input class="sb-16__input" id="sb-16-input" type="search" placeholder="Search documentation" autocomplete="off" aria-describedby="sb-16-hint">
      <span class="sb-16__chips" id="sb-16-hint">
        <kbd class="sb-16__kbd sb-16__kbd--shortcut" id="sb-16-chip">&#8984;K</kbd>
        <kbd class="sb-16__kbd sb-16__kbd--esc">esc</kbd>
      </span>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>
.sb-16 {
  --bg: #fbfbfc;
  --card: #ffffff;
  --ink: #1b1f27;
  --muted: #767d8a;
  --line: #e2e5ea;
  --acc: #2f6feb;
  --wash: #eef3ff;
  --ring: #2f6feb;
  --shadow: rgba(20,24,32,.1);
  width: 100%;
  min-height: 100vh;
  min-height: 100svh;
  display: block;
  box-sizing: border-box;
  font-family: system-ui,-apple-system,"Segoe UI",sans-serif;
  color: var(--ink);
  background: linear-gradient(180deg,#ffffff, var(--bg)), repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(20,24,32,.028) 0 1px, transparent 1px 88px);
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}

.sb-16 *,
.sb-16 *::before,
.sb-16 *::after {
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

.sb-16__stage {
  min-height: 100vh;
  min-height: 100svh;
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  padding: clamp(1rem,4vw,3rem);
}

.sb-16__vh {
  position: absolute;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  overflow: hidden;
  clip-path: inset(50%);
  white-space: nowrap;
}

.sb-16__bar {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: .65rem;
  inline-size: min(27rem,100%);
  min-block-size: 46px;
  padding-inline: .85rem .375rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 12px;
  background: var(--card);
  box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(20,24,32,.04);
  transition: border-color .18s, box-shadow .18s, background .18s;
}

.sb-16__bar:hover {
  border-color: #d3d8e0;
}

.sb-16__bar:focus-within {
  border-color: var(--acc);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(47,111,235,.14);
}

.sb-16__ico {
  inline-size: 17px;
  block-size: 17px;
  flex: none;
  color: var(--muted);
}

.sb-16__input {
  flex: 1;
  min-inline-size: 0;
  border: 0;
  background: none;
  color: var(--ink);
  font: 400 .91rem/1 inherit;
}

.sb-16__input::placeholder {
  color: var(--muted);
}

.sb-16__input:focus {
  outline: none;
}

.sb-16__input::-webkit-search-cancel-button {
  -webkit-appearance: none;
  appearance: none;
}

.sb-16__chips {
  display: grid;
  flex: none;
}

.sb-16__kbd {
  grid-area: 1/1;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 1px;
  min-inline-size: 2.35rem;
  block-size: 1.6rem;
  padding-inline: .4rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 6px;
  background: #f8f9fb;
  color: var(--muted);
  font: 500 .72rem/1 ui-monospace,"SF Mono",Menlo,monospace;
  letter-spacing: .01em;
  box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.9), 0 1px 0 var(--line);
  transition: opacity .18s, scale .18s;
}

.sb-16__kbd--esc {
  opacity: 0;
  scale: .9;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  font-size: .66rem;
}

.sb-16__bar:focus-within .sb-16__kbd--shortcut {
  opacity: 0;
  scale: .9;
}

.sb-16__bar:focus-within .sb-16__kbd--esc {
  opacity: 1;
  scale: 1;
}

.sb-16 :focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

.sb-16__input:focus-visible {
  outline: none;
}

.sb-16[data-theme="dark"] {
  --bg: #0c0e13;
  --card: #13161d;
  --ink: #e9ecf2;
  --muted: #858c99;
  --line: #232833;
  --acc: #5b8cff;
  --wash: rgba(91,140,255,.14);
  --ring: #5b8cff;
  --shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
  background: linear-gradient(180deg,#101319, var(--bg)), repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(255,255,255,.02) 0 1px, transparent 1px 88px);
}

.sb-16[data-theme="dark"] .sb-16__kbd {
  background: #1a1f29;
  box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.06), 0 1px 0 #0b0d12;
}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  .sb-16:not([data-theme="light"]) {
    --bg: #0c0e13;
    --card: #13161d;
    --ink: #e9ecf2;
    --muted: #858c99;
    --line: #232833;
    --acc: #5b8cff;
    --wash: rgba(91,140,255,.14);
    --ring: #5b8cff;
    --shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
    background: linear-gradient(180deg,#101319, var(--bg)), repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(255,255,255,.02) 0 1px, transparent 1px 88px);
  }

  .sb-16:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-16__kbd {
    background: #1a1f29;
    box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.06), 0 1px 0 #0b0d12;
  }
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .sb-16 *,
    .sb-16 *::before,
    .sb-16 *::after {
    transition: none !important;
    animation: none !important;
  }
}

@media (forced-colors: active) {
  .sb-16__bar,
    .sb-16__kbd {
    border: 1px solid CanvasText;
  }
}

.sb-16__theme {
  position: absolute;
  inset-block-start: clamp(.75rem,2vw,1.25rem);
  inset-inline-end: clamp(.75rem,2vw,1.25rem);
  z-index: 50;
  inline-size: 2.5rem;
  block-size: 2.5rem;
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  cursor: pointer;
  padding: 0;
  border-radius: 999px;
  border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.12);
  color: currentColor;
  background: rgba(255,255,255,.72);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
  backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
  transition: background .25s ease, transform .25s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1), border-color .25s ease;
}

.sb-16[data-theme="dark"] .sb-16__theme {
  background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
  border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
  color: #fff;
}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  .sb-16:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-16__theme {
    background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
    border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
    color: #fff;
  }
}

.sb-16__theme:hover {
  transform: translateY(-1px);
  border-color: rgba(0,0,0,.24);
}

.sb-16[data-theme="dark"] .sb-16__theme:hover,
.sb-16:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-16__theme:hover {
  border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.3);
}

.sb-16__theme:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid currentColor;
  outline-offset: 3px;
}

.sb-16__theme svg {
  grid-area: 1/1;
  inline-size: 1.1rem;
  block-size: 1.1rem;
  fill: none;
  stroke: currentColor;
  stroke-width: 1.7;
  stroke-linecap: round;
  stroke-linejoin: round;
}

.sb-16__sun {
  display: none;
}

.sb-16__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-16__sun {
  display: block;
}

.sb-16__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-16__moon {
  display: none;
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .sb-16__theme {
    transition: none;
  }

  .sb-16__theme:hover {
    transform: none;
  }
}
(() => {
  const root = document.querySelector('.sb-16');
  if (!root) return;
  const input = root.querySelector('#sb-16-input');
  const chip = root.querySelector('#sb-16-chip');
  const mac = ((navigator.userAgentData && navigator.userAgentData.platform) || navigator.platform || '')
    .toLowerCase().includes('mac');
  chip.textContent = mac ? '\u2318K' : 'Ctrl K';

  document.addEventListener('keydown', (e) => {
    if ((mac ? e.metaKey : e.ctrlKey) && e.key.toLowerCase() === 'k') { e.preventDefault(); input.focus(); input.select(); }
  });
  input.addEventListener('keydown', (e) => { if (e.key === 'Escape') input.blur(); });
})();
(()=>{const r=document.querySelector('.sb-16');if(!r)return;const t=r.querySelector('.sb-16__theme');if(!t)return;const dark=()=>(r.dataset.theme||(matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').matches?'dark':'light'))==='dark';const sync=()=>{t.setAttribute('aria-pressed',String(dark()));t.setAttribute('aria-label',dark()?'Switch to light theme':'Switch to dark theme');};t.addEventListener('click',()=>{r.dataset.theme=dark()?'light':'dark';sync();});matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').addEventListener('change',()=>{if(!r.dataset.theme)sync();});sync();})();
Paste this into ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, or any coding assistant. The block below is pre-framed with everything the AI needs to integrate this demo into your project — markup, styles, scoping notes, and the source URL. Hit Copy and paste straight into your chat.
Here's a working CSS Search Bar from CodeFronts. Use it as-is or adapt to your framework. All classes are scoped under a unique prefix so the code won't collide with your existing styles. MIT licensed.
Demo: CSS Search Bar with Keyboard Shortcut Hint (Cmd K / Ctrl K)
Source: https://codefronts.com/components/css-search-boxes/keyboard-hint/

The documentation-site classic: a quiet search field with a <kbd> chip pinned inside the right edge, showing ⌘K on Mac and Ctrl K on Windows/Linux. Focus the field with the shortcut and the chip flips to an esc hint.
## HTML
```html
<div class="sb-16">
  <button class="sb-16__theme" type="button" aria-pressed="false" aria-label="Switch to dark theme">
    <svg class="sb-16__moon" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M20 14.2A8.2 8.2 0 0 1 9.8 4 8.4 8.4 0 1 0 20 14.2"/></svg>
    <svg class="sb-16__sun" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="4"/><path d="M12 3.4v2M12 18.6v2M3.4 12h2M18.6 12h2M6 6l1.4 1.4M16.6 16.6 18 18M18 6l-1.4 1.4M7.4 16.6 6 18"/></svg>
  </button>
  <div class="sb-16__stage">
    <div class="sb-16__bar" role="search">
      <svg class="sb-16__ico" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="11" cy="11" r="6.2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.7"/><path d="m15.8 15.8 4.4 4.4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.7" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
      <label class="sb-16__vh" for="sb-16-input">Search documentation</label>
      <input class="sb-16__input" id="sb-16-input" type="search" placeholder="Search documentation" autocomplete="off" aria-describedby="sb-16-hint">
      <span class="sb-16__chips" id="sb-16-hint">
        <kbd class="sb-16__kbd sb-16__kbd--shortcut" id="sb-16-chip">&#8984;K</kbd>
        <kbd class="sb-16__kbd sb-16__kbd--esc">esc</kbd>
      </span>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>
```
## CSS
```css
.sb-16 {
  --bg: #fbfbfc;
  --card: #ffffff;
  --ink: #1b1f27;
  --muted: #767d8a;
  --line: #e2e5ea;
  --acc: #2f6feb;
  --wash: #eef3ff;
  --ring: #2f6feb;
  --shadow: rgba(20,24,32,.1);
  width: 100%;
  min-height: 100vh;
  min-height: 100svh;
  display: block;
  box-sizing: border-box;
  font-family: system-ui,-apple-system,"Segoe UI",sans-serif;
  color: var(--ink);
  background: linear-gradient(180deg,#ffffff, var(--bg)), repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(20,24,32,.028) 0 1px, transparent 1px 88px);
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}

.sb-16 *,
.sb-16 *::before,
.sb-16 *::after {
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

.sb-16__stage {
  min-height: 100vh;
  min-height: 100svh;
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  padding: clamp(1rem,4vw,3rem);
}

.sb-16__vh {
  position: absolute;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  overflow: hidden;
  clip-path: inset(50%);
  white-space: nowrap;
}

.sb-16__bar {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: .65rem;
  inline-size: min(27rem,100%);
  min-block-size: 46px;
  padding-inline: .85rem .375rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 12px;
  background: var(--card);
  box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(20,24,32,.04);
  transition: border-color .18s, box-shadow .18s, background .18s;
}

.sb-16__bar:hover {
  border-color: #d3d8e0;
}

.sb-16__bar:focus-within {
  border-color: var(--acc);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(47,111,235,.14);
}

.sb-16__ico {
  inline-size: 17px;
  block-size: 17px;
  flex: none;
  color: var(--muted);
}

.sb-16__input {
  flex: 1;
  min-inline-size: 0;
  border: 0;
  background: none;
  color: var(--ink);
  font: 400 .91rem/1 inherit;
}

.sb-16__input::placeholder {
  color: var(--muted);
}

.sb-16__input:focus {
  outline: none;
}

.sb-16__input::-webkit-search-cancel-button {
  -webkit-appearance: none;
  appearance: none;
}

.sb-16__chips {
  display: grid;
  flex: none;
}

.sb-16__kbd {
  grid-area: 1/1;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 1px;
  min-inline-size: 2.35rem;
  block-size: 1.6rem;
  padding-inline: .4rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 6px;
  background: #f8f9fb;
  color: var(--muted);
  font: 500 .72rem/1 ui-monospace,"SF Mono",Menlo,monospace;
  letter-spacing: .01em;
  box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.9), 0 1px 0 var(--line);
  transition: opacity .18s, scale .18s;
}

.sb-16__kbd--esc {
  opacity: 0;
  scale: .9;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  font-size: .66rem;
}

.sb-16__bar:focus-within .sb-16__kbd--shortcut {
  opacity: 0;
  scale: .9;
}

.sb-16__bar:focus-within .sb-16__kbd--esc {
  opacity: 1;
  scale: 1;
}

.sb-16 :focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

.sb-16__input:focus-visible {
  outline: none;
}

.sb-16[data-theme="dark"] {
  --bg: #0c0e13;
  --card: #13161d;
  --ink: #e9ecf2;
  --muted: #858c99;
  --line: #232833;
  --acc: #5b8cff;
  --wash: rgba(91,140,255,.14);
  --ring: #5b8cff;
  --shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
  background: linear-gradient(180deg,#101319, var(--bg)), repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(255,255,255,.02) 0 1px, transparent 1px 88px);
}

.sb-16[data-theme="dark"] .sb-16__kbd {
  background: #1a1f29;
  box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.06), 0 1px 0 #0b0d12;
}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  .sb-16:not([data-theme="light"]) {
    --bg: #0c0e13;
    --card: #13161d;
    --ink: #e9ecf2;
    --muted: #858c99;
    --line: #232833;
    --acc: #5b8cff;
    --wash: rgba(91,140,255,.14);
    --ring: #5b8cff;
    --shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
    background: linear-gradient(180deg,#101319, var(--bg)), repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(255,255,255,.02) 0 1px, transparent 1px 88px);
  }

  .sb-16:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-16__kbd {
    background: #1a1f29;
    box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.06), 0 1px 0 #0b0d12;
  }
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .sb-16 *,
    .sb-16 *::before,
    .sb-16 *::after {
    transition: none !important;
    animation: none !important;
  }
}

@media (forced-colors: active) {
  .sb-16__bar,
    .sb-16__kbd {
    border: 1px solid CanvasText;
  }
}

.sb-16__theme {
  position: absolute;
  inset-block-start: clamp(.75rem,2vw,1.25rem);
  inset-inline-end: clamp(.75rem,2vw,1.25rem);
  z-index: 50;
  inline-size: 2.5rem;
  block-size: 2.5rem;
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  cursor: pointer;
  padding: 0;
  border-radius: 999px;
  border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.12);
  color: currentColor;
  background: rgba(255,255,255,.72);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
  backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
  transition: background .25s ease, transform .25s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1), border-color .25s ease;
}

.sb-16[data-theme="dark"] .sb-16__theme {
  background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
  border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
  color: #fff;
}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  .sb-16:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-16__theme {
    background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
    border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
    color: #fff;
  }
}

.sb-16__theme:hover {
  transform: translateY(-1px);
  border-color: rgba(0,0,0,.24);
}

.sb-16[data-theme="dark"] .sb-16__theme:hover,
.sb-16:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-16__theme:hover {
  border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.3);
}

.sb-16__theme:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid currentColor;
  outline-offset: 3px;
}

.sb-16__theme svg {
  grid-area: 1/1;
  inline-size: 1.1rem;
  block-size: 1.1rem;
  fill: none;
  stroke: currentColor;
  stroke-width: 1.7;
  stroke-linecap: round;
  stroke-linejoin: round;
}

.sb-16__sun {
  display: none;
}

.sb-16__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-16__sun {
  display: block;
}

.sb-16__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-16__moon {
  display: none;
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .sb-16__theme {
    transition: none;
  }

  .sb-16__theme:hover {
    transform: none;
  }
}
```

## JavaScript
```js
(() => {
  const root = document.querySelector('.sb-16');
  if (!root) return;
  const input = root.querySelector('#sb-16-input');
  const chip = root.querySelector('#sb-16-chip');
  const mac = ((navigator.userAgentData && navigator.userAgentData.platform) || navigator.platform || '')
    .toLowerCase().includes('mac');
  chip.textContent = mac ? '\u2318K' : 'Ctrl K';

  document.addEventListener('keydown', (e) => {
    if ((mac ? e.metaKey : e.ctrlKey) && e.key.toLowerCase() === 'k') { e.preventDefault(); input.focus(); input.select(); }
  });
  input.addEventListener('keydown', (e) => { if (e.key === 'Escape') input.blur(); });
})();
(()=>{const r=document.querySelector('.sb-16');if(!r)return;const t=r.querySelector('.sb-16__theme');if(!t)return;const dark=()=>(r.dataset.theme||(matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').matches?'dark':'light'))==='dark';const sync=()=>{t.setAttribute('aria-pressed',String(dark()));t.setAttribute('aria-label',dark()?'Switch to light theme':'Switch to dark theme');};t.addEventListener('click',()=>{r.dataset.theme=dark()?'light':'dark';sync();});matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').addEventListener('change',()=>{if(!r.dataset.theme)sync();});sync();})();
```

How this works

Show the right key. Hard-coding ⌘ is wrong for the ~70% of Tier-1 docs traffic on Windows. userAgentData is the modern check, with the classic UA sniff behind it:

const mac = (navigator.userAgentData?.platform || navigator.platform || '')
  .toLowerCase().includes('mac');
chip.textContent = mac ? '\u2318K' : 'Ctrl K';

Make the chip look like a key. Two shadows: a 1px inset light line on top for the moulded edge, and a 1px hard drop for the key's side wall. No gradient needed:

.sb-16__kbd{
  box-shadow:inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255,255,255,.9), 0 1px 0 var(--line);
  border:1px solid var(--line); border-radius:6px;
}

Align to the radius. A chip inside a rounded field should sit radius minus a hair from the edge — here the field has a 12px radius and the chip is inset 6px, which keeps the visual gap even along the curve. Eyeballing this is the most common polish miss on docs search bars.

Make it yours

  • Change the chord: update the listener's key check and the chip label together — a hint that lies is worse than no hint.
  • Slash-key convention (GitHub, Reddit)? Swap the chip to / and guard the listener against firing while another input has focus.
  • For a dual hint (⌘K and /) render two chips in a flex row with a 4px gap.
  • Hide the chip under 30rem with a container query if your header gets tight — the shortcut still works, it is just not advertised.

Gotchas — read before shipping

  • navigator.platform is deprecated but still the only synchronous option in Safari and Firefox; use it as a fallback, never as the primary check.
  • Do not put aria-hidden on the chip if it is the only affordance for the shortcut — expose it as part of the label with aria-describedby instead, as here.
  • The chip must not overlap the text caret: reserve space with padding-inline-end on the input equal to the chip width plus its inset.
  • Never bind a bare letter key without checking that the event target is not an input, or users cannot type that letter anywhere on the page.

Browser support

ChromeSafariFirefoxEdge
90+15+88+90+

userAgentData is Chromium-only; the demo falls back to navigator.platform elsewhere, so the hint is correct everywhere. Everything else is baseline CSS. KeyboardEvent.metaKey/ctrlKey are universal.

Techniques used in this demo

:focus-withinMDN ↗backdrop-filterMDN ↗clip-pathMDN ↗role="" (ARIA)MDN ↗clamp()MDN ↗place-items / place-contentMDN ↗

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