CSS positioning and z-index layering strategies

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CSS positioning controls element placement with static, relative, absolute, fixed, and sticky values. The position: relative creates a positioning context without removing from document flow. Using position: absolute removes elements from flow and positions relative to nearest positioned ancestor. The position: fixed positions relative to viewport and stays during scroll. Modern position: sticky combines relative and fixed behavior. The z-index property controls stacking order but only works on positioned elements. I create stacking contexts with positioning, opacity, transform, or isolation. Understanding the stacking context hierarchy prevents z-index battles. The isolation: isolate creates new stacking contexts without side effects.