We are happy to roll out a major version 2.1 update for three of our popular module layouts: RAXO Newsbreak, RAXO Rational, and RAXO Slider. Over the past few months, we’ve been hard at work modernizing our layout lineup to make sure they feel right at home on modern websites. This release brings them in line with our latest design standards, cutting-edge CSS features, and seamless compatibility with both Joomla 5 and Joomla 6. If you’ve been looking for cleaner code, smoother responsive behavior, and easier styling, this update is for you.
What’s New Across All Three Layout
Rather than making small cosmetic tweaks, we gave these layouts a complete technical refresh under the hood. Here is what they now have in common:
- One Layout for All Your RAXO Modules
You no longer need separate packages for different modules. A single layout package now works seamlessly with both RAXO Content Spotlight and RAXO Related Articles on Joomla 5 and Joomla 6. - Smart & Clean Installation
The new installer script takes care of everything automatically: it detects older layout versions, cleans up outdated files, and logs the process using the new RAXO debug logger for smooth and trouble-free upgrades - Built with Container Queries & CSS Nesting
Say goodbye to rigid media queries that only care about the screen width. Thanks to modern CSS Container Queries, these layouts adapt intelligently to the actual width of the module position itself — whether placed in a full-width section, an article body, or a narrow sidebar. - Rich OKLCH Color Palettes & Built-in Dark Mode
Each layout now features 12 finely tuned color themes built with the modern OKLCH color space. Even better, they come with native Dark Mode support that automatically adjusts contrast and subtly dims images for comfortable reading in low light. - Lightweight SVG Sprites & Cleaner HTML
We replaced scattered individual icons and heavy inline SVG code with consolidated SVG sprites. This noticeably trims down the generated HTML markup, speeds up page rendering, and keeps your pages fast and SEO-friendly - Better Accessibility (A11Y)
With proper ARIA attributes, semantic markup, and clear focus states for keyboard navigation, your content is now much friendlier to screen readers and accessible to all visitors.
Layout-Specific Highlights
While the foundation is shared, each layout received special care tailored to its unique style and purpose:
RAXO Newsbreak v2.1 — Fresh Flexibility for News Portals
- Images for Normal Items:
Previously, thumbnails were reserved for top items only. Now, regular list items can also feature thumbnail images, giving your news feeds a richer, magazine-style look. - Fallback News Icon:
If an article doesn't have an image, Newsbreak displays a clean vector icon to preserve visual balance and rhythm across the list. - Adaptive Date Badges:
Article dates intelligently adjust between side badges and inline text depending on the available container width.
[ RAXO Newsbreak Layout Page ]
RAXO Rational v2.1 — Smooth Masonry with Modern Power
- ResizeObserver-Powered Masonry:
We overhauled the dynamic masonry layout logic. By leveraging native `ResizeObserver`, columns now rearrange instantly and smoothly as images load or container sizes change — zero jumpiness and no heavy resize scripts. - Massive Output Reduction:
By eliminating repetitive inline SVG markup across every single card, the HTML output is now substantially lighter, resulting in faster DOM load times. - Granular Column & Span Controls:
Enjoy flexible control over how many columns your cards occupy and how wide featured articles span across different breakpoints.
RAXO Slider v2.1 — Polished Touch & Carousel Navigation
- Accessible Navigation Buttons:
Slider navigation controls now feature clear vector arrows and proper ARIA labels, making carousel navigation intuitive and accessible. - Smart Navigation Dots:
On narrow screens or compact module positions, pagination dots automatically hide to keep the header clean and uncluttered. - Unified Column Classes:
Column configuration classes now match the standard naming used across other RAXO layouts, making custom styling more intuitive than ever.
Because these updates introduce a modernized CSS architecture, we recommend clearing your browser and Joomla cache after updating, and checking your module settings to ensure your styling matches your vision.
