Re: [csswg-drafts] [css-grid-3] if using `display` we should provide examples for `inline grid-lanes`, and include the `inline-grid-lanes` legacy fallback (#10961)

> both users and guides overwhelmingly still favor the single-keyword version

Up until very recently the multi-keyword syntax wasn't Baseline Widely Available and the docs actively warned against using the multi-keyword syntax as a result of that.

I don't think we can make the assumption that users favor the `inline-*` syntax. I think they didn't consider it ready for production use. It takes a really long time before authors voluntarily switch to a syntax that has worse browser support, especially if it doesn't offer new capabilities. This however doesn't necessarily mean that they don't want to use the more modern syntax.

I think we need to recognize that we can't get a clear signal from authors about what they favor at this point in time, purely by looking at past behavior.

I am not saying that authors don't want `inline-grid-lanes`. I am sure that some authors will try the `-` and be surprised if it doesn't work.

Personally I don't feel very strongly about adding or not adding `inline-grid-lanes`.
Anecdotal evidence (from authors!) seems to indicate that it is fine to not add this but other than that I am fine with adding it.

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Can we do a compromise?
- add `inline-grid-lanes`
- keep all the `inline-*` (including `inline-grid-lanes`) marked as legacy syntax
- decide not to add `inline-*` variants in the future, with the option to revisit later

When there is a new display mode in ±5 years we will have a much clearer view on what authors favor and how aware they are of the multi-keyword syntax.

Marking these as legacy helps to promote the multi-keyword syntax in documentation, lint rules, ... If these are not marked as legacy it is much harder to drive adoption.

Authors can learn about `inline grid-lanes` and thereby also discover the multi-keyword syntax. But those that just try `inline-grid-lanes` won't get surprises.

(Keeping in mind that we are not considering a deprecation or removal of `inline-*`, only an indicator that this syntax is legacy.)

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Received on Tuesday, 10 February 2026 18:24:53 UTC