When should a CSS reset be applied during development?

Applying a CSS reset before any custom style rules are written is crucial in web development for several reasons. A CSS reset standardizes the styling of HTML elements across different browsers. Since browsers have varying default styles for elements like headings, paragraphs, and lists, applying a reset helps eliminate inconsistencies, such as default margin and padding.

By starting with a clean slate, developers can ensure that their custom styles are applied uniformly, which simplifies the styling process and reduces the time spent on fixing cross-browser discrepancies later on. It lays the groundwork for more predictable and manageable styles, making it easier to implement design changes and maintain consistency throughout the website.

Other options suggest applying resets at inappropriate times; for instance, applying a reset after custom styles could mean that existing styles would still show inconsistent behavior, complicating the development process. Similarly, only using resets when frameworks are employed limits their usefulness and overlooks their importance in standalone projects. Lastly, applying resets during browser testing would not correct the styles before they are viewed, leading to potential issues that could have been avoided from the start.