36 CSS Search Bars
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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 Recent Searches Dropdown

Focus the field and your recent searches drop down — each with a clock glyph, a real <time> stamp and its own remove button, plus a "Clear all" action in the header. History persists in localStorage in ten lines.

Live Demo
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The code

<div class="sb-18">
  <button class="sb-18__theme" type="button" aria-pressed="false" aria-label="Switch to dark theme">
    <svg class="sb-18__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-18__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-18__stage">
    <div class="sb-18__wrap" role="search">
      <div class="sb-18__field">
        <svg class="sb-18__ico" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="11" cy="11" r="6.4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8"/><path d="m16 16 4.2 4.2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
        <label class="sb-18__vh" for="sb-18-input">Search</label>
        <input class="sb-18__input" id="sb-18-input" type="search" placeholder="Search anything&hellip;" autocomplete="off" aria-controls="sb-18-panel">
      </div>

      <div class="sb-18__panel" id="sb-18-panel">
        <div class="sb-18__head">
          <p class="sb-18__group-h">Recent searches</p>
          <button class="sb-18__clear" id="sb-18-clear" type="button">Clear all</button>
        </div>
        <ul class="sb-18__list" id="sb-18-list" role="listbox" aria-label="Recent searches">
          <li class="sb-18__row" role="option" aria-selected="false">
            <span class="sb-18__glyph" aria-hidden="true"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="7.6" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6"/><path d="M12 8.2V12l2.7 1.7" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></span>
            <span class="sb-18__q">wireless headphones</span>
            <time class="sb-18__time" datetime="2027-02-11T09:14">9:14 AM</time>
            <button class="sb-18__x" type="button" aria-label="Remove wireless headphones from recent searches"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="m7 7 10 10M17 7 7 17" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.2" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></button>
          </li>
          <li class="sb-18__row" role="option" aria-selected="false">
            <span class="sb-18__glyph" aria-hidden="true"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="7.6" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6"/><path d="M12 8.2V12l2.7 1.7" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></span>
            <span class="sb-18__q">invoice template</span>
            <time class="sb-18__time" datetime="2027-02-10T18:02">Yesterday</time>
            <button class="sb-18__x" type="button" aria-label="Remove invoice template from recent searches"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="m7 7 10 10M17 7 7 17" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.2" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></button>
          </li>
          <li class="sb-18__row" role="option" aria-selected="false">
            <span class="sb-18__glyph" aria-hidden="true"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="7.6" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6"/><path d="M12 8.2V12l2.7 1.7" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></span>
            <span class="sb-18__q">Q3 revenue</span>
            <time class="sb-18__time" datetime="2027-02-09T11:41">Mon</time>
            <button class="sb-18__x" type="button" aria-label="Remove Q3 revenue from recent searches"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="m7 7 10 10M17 7 7 17" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.2" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></button>
          </li>
          <li class="sb-18__row" role="option" aria-selected="false">
            <span class="sb-18__glyph" aria-hidden="true"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="7.6" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6"/><path d="M12 8.2V12l2.7 1.7" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></span>
            <span class="sb-18__q">onboarding checklist</span>
            <time class="sb-18__time" datetime="2027-02-06T15:20">Fri</time>
            <button class="sb-18__x" type="button" aria-label="Remove onboarding checklist from recent searches"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="m7 7 10 10M17 7 7 17" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.2" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></button>
          </li>
        </ul>
        <p class="sb-18__empty">No recent searches</p>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>
.sb-18 {
  --bg: #f4f5f7;
  --card: #ffffff;
  --ink: #15181f;
  --muted: #6b7280;
  --line: #e4e6eb;
  --acc: #0f766e;
  --wash: #e9f6f3;
  --ring: #0f766e;
  --shadow: rgba(21,24,31,.14);
  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: var(--bg);
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}

.sb-18 *,
.sb-18 *::before,
.sb-18 *::after {
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

.sb-18__stage {
  min-height: 100vh;
  min-height: 100svh;
  display: grid;
  place-items: start center;
  padding: clamp(2rem,12vh,7rem) clamp(1rem,4vw,3rem);
}

.sb-18__vh {
  position: absolute;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  overflow: hidden;
  clip-path: inset(50%);
  white-space: nowrap;
}

.sb-18__wrap {
  position: relative;
  inline-size: min(30rem,100%);
}

.sb-18__field {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: .7rem;
  min-block-size: 52px;
  padding-inline: 1rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 14px;
  background: var(--card);
  box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(21,24,31,.05);
  transition: border-color .2s, box-shadow .2s;
}

.sb-18__wrap:focus-within .sb-18__field {
  border-color: var(--acc);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(15,118,110,.14);
}

.sb-18__ico {
  inline-size: 19px;
  block-size: 19px;
  flex: none;
  color: var(--muted);
}

.sb-18__input {
  flex: 1;
  min-inline-size: 0;
  border: 0;
  background: none;
  color: var(--ink);
  font: 400 .96rem/1 inherit;
}

.sb-18__input::placeholder {
  color: var(--muted);
}

.sb-18__input:focus {
  outline: none;
}

.sb-18__input::-webkit-search-cancel-button {
  -webkit-appearance: none;
  appearance: none;
}

.sb-18__panel {
  position: absolute;
  inset-inline: 0;
  inset-block-start: calc(100% + .5rem);
  z-index: 5;
  padding: .4rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 14px;
  background: var(--card);
  box-shadow: 0 24px 46px -22px var(--shadow);
  opacity: 0;
  translate: 0 -6px;
  visibility: hidden;
  transition: opacity .2s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), translate .2s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), visibility .2s;
}

.sb-18__wrap:focus-within .sb-18__panel {
  opacity: 1;
  translate: 0 0;
  visibility: visible;
}

.sb-18__head {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  padding: .45rem .6rem .3rem;
}

.sb-18__group-h {
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--muted);
  font: 600 .68rem/1 inherit;
  letter-spacing: .09em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.sb-18__clear {
  border: 0;
  border-radius: 6px;
  padding: .25rem .4rem;
  background: none;
  color: var(--acc);
  cursor: pointer;
  font: 600 .74rem/1 inherit;
}

.sb-18__clear:hover {
  background: var(--wash);
}

.sb-18__clear:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
  outline-offset: 1px;
}

.sb-18__list {
  list-style: none;
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
  max-block-size: min(20rem,48vh);
  overflow: auto;
}

.sb-18__row {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: .65rem;
  min-block-size: 44px;
  padding: 0 .35rem 0 .6rem;
  border-radius: 9px;
  cursor: pointer;
  font: 500 .9rem/1 inherit;
  transition: background .14s;
}

.sb-18__row:hover,
.sb-18__row[aria-selected="true"] {
  background: var(--wash);
}

.sb-18__glyph {
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  inline-size: 26px;
  block-size: 26px;
  flex: none;
  color: var(--muted);
}

.sb-18__glyph svg {
  inline-size: 16px;
  block-size: 16px;
}

.sb-18__q {
  flex: 1;
  min-inline-size: 0;
  overflow: hidden;
  text-overflow: ellipsis;
  white-space: nowrap;
}

.sb-18__time {
  flex: none;
  color: var(--muted);
  font: 400 .74rem/1 inherit;
  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
}

.sb-18__x {
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  inline-size: 26px;
  block-size: 26px;
  flex: none;
  border: 0;
  border-radius: 7px;
  background: none;
  color: var(--muted);
  cursor: pointer;
  opacity: 0;
  transition: opacity .16s, background .16s;
}

.sb-18__row:hover .sb-18__x,
.sb-18__x:focus-visible {
  opacity: 1;
}

.sb-18__x:hover {
  background: rgba(0,0,0,.07);
  color: var(--ink);
}

.sb-18__x:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
  outline-offset: 1px;
}

.sb-18__x svg {
  inline-size: 12px;
  block-size: 12px;
}

.sb-18__empty {
  display: none;
  margin: 0;
  padding: 1.6rem 0;
  text-align: center;
  color: var(--muted);
  font: 400 .86rem/1 inherit;
}

@supports selector(:has(*)) {
  .sb-18__panel:not(:has(.sb-18__row)) .sb-18__empty {
    display: block;
  }

  .sb-18__panel:not(:has(.sb-18__row)) .sb-18__head {
    display: none;
  }
}

.sb-18 :focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

.sb-18__input:focus-visible {
  outline: none;
}

.sb-18[data-theme="dark"] {
  --bg: #0b0e12;
  --card: #141920;
  --ink: #e9eef3;
  --muted: #87909c;
  --line: #222a33;
  --acc: #2dd4bf;
  --wash: rgba(45,212,191,.12);
  --ring: #2dd4bf;
  --shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
}

.sb-18[data-theme="dark"] .sb-18__x:hover {
  background: rgba(255,255,255,.1);
}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  .sb-18:not([data-theme="light"]) {
    --bg: #0b0e12;
    --card: #141920;
    --ink: #e9eef3;
    --muted: #87909c;
    --line: #222a33;
    --acc: #2dd4bf;
    --wash: rgba(45,212,191,.12);
    --ring: #2dd4bf;
    --shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
  }

  .sb-18:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-18__x:hover {
    background: rgba(255,255,255,.1);
  }
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .sb-18 *,
    .sb-18 *::before,
    .sb-18 *::after {
    transition: none !important;
    animation: none !important;
  }
}

@media (forced-colors: active) {
  .sb-18__field,
    .sb-18__panel {
    border: 1px solid CanvasText;
  }
}

.sb-18__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-18[data-theme="dark"] .sb-18__theme {
  background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
  border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
  color: #fff;
}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  .sb-18:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-18__theme {
    background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
    border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
    color: #fff;
  }
}

.sb-18__theme:hover {
  transform: translateY(-1px);
  border-color: rgba(0,0,0,.24);
}

.sb-18[data-theme="dark"] .sb-18__theme:hover,
.sb-18:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-18__theme:hover {
  border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.3);
}

.sb-18__theme:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid currentColor;
  outline-offset: 3px;
}

.sb-18__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-18__sun {
  display: none;
}

.sb-18__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-18__sun {
  display: block;
}

.sb-18__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-18__moon {
  display: none;
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .sb-18__theme {
    transition: none;
  }

  .sb-18__theme:hover {
    transform: none;
  }
}
(() => {
  const root = document.querySelector('.sb-18');
  if (!root) return;
  const input = root.querySelector('#sb-18-input');
  const list = root.querySelector('#sb-18-list');
  const KEY = 'sb-18-recent';

  const save = () => {
    try {
      const qs = [...list.querySelectorAll('.sb-18__q')].map((n) => n.textContent);
      localStorage.setItem(KEY, JSON.stringify(qs));
    } catch (_) { /* private mode / sandboxed iframe */ }
  };
  const drop = (row) => {
    const next = row.nextElementSibling || row.previousElementSibling;
    (next ? next.querySelector('.sb-18__x') : input).focus();
    row.remove(); save();
  };

  list.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
    const x = e.target.closest('.sb-18__x');
    const row = e.target.closest('.sb-18__row');
    if (x) { e.stopPropagation(); drop(row); return; }
    if (row) { input.value = row.querySelector('.sb-18__q').textContent; input.focus(); }
  });
  root.querySelector('#sb-18-clear').addEventListener('click', () => { list.replaceChildren(); save(); input.focus(); });
  input.addEventListener('mousedown', (e) => { if (document.activeElement === input) e.stopPropagation(); });
})();
(()=>{const r=document.querySelector('.sb-18');if(!r)return;const t=r.querySelector('.sb-18__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 Recent Searches Dropdown
Source: https://codefronts.com/components/css-search-boxes/recent-searches/

Focus the field and your recent searches drop down — each with a clock glyph, a real <time> stamp and its own remove button, plus a "Clear all" action in the header. History persists in localStorage in ten lines.
## HTML
```html
<div class="sb-18">
  <button class="sb-18__theme" type="button" aria-pressed="false" aria-label="Switch to dark theme">
    <svg class="sb-18__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-18__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-18__stage">
    <div class="sb-18__wrap" role="search">
      <div class="sb-18__field">
        <svg class="sb-18__ico" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><circle cx="11" cy="11" r="6.4" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8"/><path d="m16 16 4.2 4.2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg>
        <label class="sb-18__vh" for="sb-18-input">Search</label>
        <input class="sb-18__input" id="sb-18-input" type="search" placeholder="Search anything&hellip;" autocomplete="off" aria-controls="sb-18-panel">
      </div>

      <div class="sb-18__panel" id="sb-18-panel">
        <div class="sb-18__head">
          <p class="sb-18__group-h">Recent searches</p>
          <button class="sb-18__clear" id="sb-18-clear" type="button">Clear all</button>
        </div>
        <ul class="sb-18__list" id="sb-18-list" role="listbox" aria-label="Recent searches">
          <li class="sb-18__row" role="option" aria-selected="false">
            <span class="sb-18__glyph" aria-hidden="true"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="7.6" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6"/><path d="M12 8.2V12l2.7 1.7" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></span>
            <span class="sb-18__q">wireless headphones</span>
            <time class="sb-18__time" datetime="2027-02-11T09:14">9:14 AM</time>
            <button class="sb-18__x" type="button" aria-label="Remove wireless headphones from recent searches"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="m7 7 10 10M17 7 7 17" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.2" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></button>
          </li>
          <li class="sb-18__row" role="option" aria-selected="false">
            <span class="sb-18__glyph" aria-hidden="true"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="7.6" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6"/><path d="M12 8.2V12l2.7 1.7" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></span>
            <span class="sb-18__q">invoice template</span>
            <time class="sb-18__time" datetime="2027-02-10T18:02">Yesterday</time>
            <button class="sb-18__x" type="button" aria-label="Remove invoice template from recent searches"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="m7 7 10 10M17 7 7 17" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.2" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></button>
          </li>
          <li class="sb-18__row" role="option" aria-selected="false">
            <span class="sb-18__glyph" aria-hidden="true"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="7.6" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6"/><path d="M12 8.2V12l2.7 1.7" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></span>
            <span class="sb-18__q">Q3 revenue</span>
            <time class="sb-18__time" datetime="2027-02-09T11:41">Mon</time>
            <button class="sb-18__x" type="button" aria-label="Remove Q3 revenue from recent searches"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="m7 7 10 10M17 7 7 17" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.2" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></button>
          </li>
          <li class="sb-18__row" role="option" aria-selected="false">
            <span class="sb-18__glyph" aria-hidden="true"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" focusable="false"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="7.6" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6"/><path d="M12 8.2V12l2.7 1.7" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.6" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></span>
            <span class="sb-18__q">onboarding checklist</span>
            <time class="sb-18__time" datetime="2027-02-06T15:20">Fri</time>
            <button class="sb-18__x" type="button" aria-label="Remove onboarding checklist from recent searches"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="m7 7 10 10M17 7 7 17" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.2" stroke-linecap="round"/></svg></button>
          </li>
        </ul>
        <p class="sb-18__empty">No recent searches</p>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>
```
## CSS
```css
.sb-18 {
  --bg: #f4f5f7;
  --card: #ffffff;
  --ink: #15181f;
  --muted: #6b7280;
  --line: #e4e6eb;
  --acc: #0f766e;
  --wash: #e9f6f3;
  --ring: #0f766e;
  --shadow: rgba(21,24,31,.14);
  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: var(--bg);
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}

.sb-18 *,
.sb-18 *::before,
.sb-18 *::after {
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

.sb-18__stage {
  min-height: 100vh;
  min-height: 100svh;
  display: grid;
  place-items: start center;
  padding: clamp(2rem,12vh,7rem) clamp(1rem,4vw,3rem);
}

.sb-18__vh {
  position: absolute;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  overflow: hidden;
  clip-path: inset(50%);
  white-space: nowrap;
}

.sb-18__wrap {
  position: relative;
  inline-size: min(30rem,100%);
}

.sb-18__field {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: .7rem;
  min-block-size: 52px;
  padding-inline: 1rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 14px;
  background: var(--card);
  box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(21,24,31,.05);
  transition: border-color .2s, box-shadow .2s;
}

.sb-18__wrap:focus-within .sb-18__field {
  border-color: var(--acc);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(15,118,110,.14);
}

.sb-18__ico {
  inline-size: 19px;
  block-size: 19px;
  flex: none;
  color: var(--muted);
}

.sb-18__input {
  flex: 1;
  min-inline-size: 0;
  border: 0;
  background: none;
  color: var(--ink);
  font: 400 .96rem/1 inherit;
}

.sb-18__input::placeholder {
  color: var(--muted);
}

.sb-18__input:focus {
  outline: none;
}

.sb-18__input::-webkit-search-cancel-button {
  -webkit-appearance: none;
  appearance: none;
}

.sb-18__panel {
  position: absolute;
  inset-inline: 0;
  inset-block-start: calc(100% + .5rem);
  z-index: 5;
  padding: .4rem;
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: 14px;
  background: var(--card);
  box-shadow: 0 24px 46px -22px var(--shadow);
  opacity: 0;
  translate: 0 -6px;
  visibility: hidden;
  transition: opacity .2s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), translate .2s cubic-bezier(.2,.9,.25,1), visibility .2s;
}

.sb-18__wrap:focus-within .sb-18__panel {
  opacity: 1;
  translate: 0 0;
  visibility: visible;
}

.sb-18__head {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  padding: .45rem .6rem .3rem;
}

.sb-18__group-h {
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--muted);
  font: 600 .68rem/1 inherit;
  letter-spacing: .09em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.sb-18__clear {
  border: 0;
  border-radius: 6px;
  padding: .25rem .4rem;
  background: none;
  color: var(--acc);
  cursor: pointer;
  font: 600 .74rem/1 inherit;
}

.sb-18__clear:hover {
  background: var(--wash);
}

.sb-18__clear:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
  outline-offset: 1px;
}

.sb-18__list {
  list-style: none;
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
  max-block-size: min(20rem,48vh);
  overflow: auto;
}

.sb-18__row {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: .65rem;
  min-block-size: 44px;
  padding: 0 .35rem 0 .6rem;
  border-radius: 9px;
  cursor: pointer;
  font: 500 .9rem/1 inherit;
  transition: background .14s;
}

.sb-18__row:hover,
.sb-18__row[aria-selected="true"] {
  background: var(--wash);
}

.sb-18__glyph {
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  inline-size: 26px;
  block-size: 26px;
  flex: none;
  color: var(--muted);
}

.sb-18__glyph svg {
  inline-size: 16px;
  block-size: 16px;
}

.sb-18__q {
  flex: 1;
  min-inline-size: 0;
  overflow: hidden;
  text-overflow: ellipsis;
  white-space: nowrap;
}

.sb-18__time {
  flex: none;
  color: var(--muted);
  font: 400 .74rem/1 inherit;
  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
}

.sb-18__x {
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  inline-size: 26px;
  block-size: 26px;
  flex: none;
  border: 0;
  border-radius: 7px;
  background: none;
  color: var(--muted);
  cursor: pointer;
  opacity: 0;
  transition: opacity .16s, background .16s;
}

.sb-18__row:hover .sb-18__x,
.sb-18__x:focus-visible {
  opacity: 1;
}

.sb-18__x:hover {
  background: rgba(0,0,0,.07);
  color: var(--ink);
}

.sb-18__x:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
  outline-offset: 1px;
}

.sb-18__x svg {
  inline-size: 12px;
  block-size: 12px;
}

.sb-18__empty {
  display: none;
  margin: 0;
  padding: 1.6rem 0;
  text-align: center;
  color: var(--muted);
  font: 400 .86rem/1 inherit;
}

@supports selector(:has(*)) {
  .sb-18__panel:not(:has(.sb-18__row)) .sb-18__empty {
    display: block;
  }

  .sb-18__panel:not(:has(.sb-18__row)) .sb-18__head {
    display: none;
  }
}

.sb-18 :focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--ring);
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

.sb-18__input:focus-visible {
  outline: none;
}

.sb-18[data-theme="dark"] {
  --bg: #0b0e12;
  --card: #141920;
  --ink: #e9eef3;
  --muted: #87909c;
  --line: #222a33;
  --acc: #2dd4bf;
  --wash: rgba(45,212,191,.12);
  --ring: #2dd4bf;
  --shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
}

.sb-18[data-theme="dark"] .sb-18__x:hover {
  background: rgba(255,255,255,.1);
}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  .sb-18:not([data-theme="light"]) {
    --bg: #0b0e12;
    --card: #141920;
    --ink: #e9eef3;
    --muted: #87909c;
    --line: #222a33;
    --acc: #2dd4bf;
    --wash: rgba(45,212,191,.12);
    --ring: #2dd4bf;
    --shadow: rgba(0,0,0,.7);
  }

  .sb-18:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-18__x:hover {
    background: rgba(255,255,255,.1);
  }
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .sb-18 *,
    .sb-18 *::before,
    .sb-18 *::after {
    transition: none !important;
    animation: none !important;
  }
}

@media (forced-colors: active) {
  .sb-18__field,
    .sb-18__panel {
    border: 1px solid CanvasText;
  }
}

.sb-18__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-18[data-theme="dark"] .sb-18__theme {
  background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
  border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
  color: #fff;
}

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
  .sb-18:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-18__theme {
    background: rgba(20,20,28,.72);
    border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.15);
    color: #fff;
  }
}

.sb-18__theme:hover {
  transform: translateY(-1px);
  border-color: rgba(0,0,0,.24);
}

.sb-18[data-theme="dark"] .sb-18__theme:hover,
.sb-18:not([data-theme="light"]) .sb-18__theme:hover {
  border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.3);
}

.sb-18__theme:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid currentColor;
  outline-offset: 3px;
}

.sb-18__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-18__sun {
  display: none;
}

.sb-18__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-18__sun {
  display: block;
}

.sb-18__theme[aria-pressed="true"] .sb-18__moon {
  display: none;
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .sb-18__theme {
    transition: none;
  }

  .sb-18__theme:hover {
    transform: none;
  }
}
```

## JavaScript
```js
(() => {
  const root = document.querySelector('.sb-18');
  if (!root) return;
  const input = root.querySelector('#sb-18-input');
  const list = root.querySelector('#sb-18-list');
  const KEY = 'sb-18-recent';

  const save = () => {
    try {
      const qs = [...list.querySelectorAll('.sb-18__q')].map((n) => n.textContent);
      localStorage.setItem(KEY, JSON.stringify(qs));
    } catch (_) { /* private mode / sandboxed iframe */ }
  };
  const drop = (row) => {
    const next = row.nextElementSibling || row.previousElementSibling;
    (next ? next.querySelector('.sb-18__x') : input).focus();
    row.remove(); save();
  };

  list.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
    const x = e.target.closest('.sb-18__x');
    const row = e.target.closest('.sb-18__row');
    if (x) { e.stopPropagation(); drop(row); return; }
    if (row) { input.value = row.querySelector('.sb-18__q').textContent; input.focus(); }
  });
  root.querySelector('#sb-18-clear').addEventListener('click', () => { list.replaceChildren(); save(); input.focus(); });
  input.addEventListener('mousedown', (e) => { if (document.activeElement === input) e.stopPropagation(); });
})();
(()=>{const r=document.querySelector('.sb-18');if(!r)return;const t=r.querySelector('.sb-18__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

History is data, not markup. Keep an array, cap it, dedupe it, then render:

const push = (q) => {
  const list = [q, ...load().filter((x) => x !== q)].slice(0, 6);   /* dedupe + cap */
  localStorage.setItem('sb-18-recent', JSON.stringify(list));
};

Dropping duplicates before capping is what keeps a recent list useful — otherwise one repeated query fills the whole panel.

Removing a row without losing focus. Deleting the focused element sends focus to <body> and a keyboard user is stranded at the top of the page. Move focus first, then remove:

const next = row.nextElementSibling || row.previousElementSibling;
(next ? next.querySelector('button') : input).focus();
row.remove();

Empty state for free. .sb-18__panel:not(:has(.sb-18__row)) .sb-18__empty{display:grid} — when the last row goes, the empty message appears with no JavaScript bookkeeping at all.

Make it yours

  • Change the cap from 6 to whatever fits your panel height; the list scrolls beyond that.
  • Group by day by inserting a heading row whenever the date changes — the panel already styles .sb-18__group-h.
  • Swap localStorage for your account-synced history endpoint; the render function takes an array either way.
  • Add a "pinned" state by rendering a bookmark glyph instead of the clock and sorting pinned rows first.

Gotchas — read before shipping

  • localStorage throws in private-mode Safari quotas and in sandboxed iframes — always wrap reads and writes in try/catch, as this demo does.
  • Never render user-typed history with innerHTML; use textContent or you have a stored-XSS hole in your search box.
  • A <time> element needs a valid datetime attribute (ISO 8601) — "2 hours ago" alone is not machine-readable.
  • Clearing all history should be undoable or confirmed; a single mis-tap otherwise destroys the user's context.

Browser support

ChromeSafariFirefoxEdge
105+15.4+121+105+

:has() (Chrome 105 / Safari 15.4 / Firefox 121) powers the empty state only; without it the panel shows an empty list. localStorage, <time> and :focus-within are universal. The demo degrades to seeded example history when storage is unavailable.

Techniques used in this demo

:focus-withinMDN ↗backdrop-filterMDN ↗clip-pathMDN ↗:has()MDN ↗role="" (ARIA)MDN ↗clamp()MDN ↗

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