Gradient Spiral Trail

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
from matplotlib.collections import LineCollection

# === STYLE CONFIG ===
COLORS = {
    'primary': '#6366F1',
    'start': '#10B981',
    'end': '#EF4444',
    'background': '#FFFFFF',
    'text': '#1E293B',
    'text_muted': '#64748B',
    'grid': '#F1F5F9',
}

# === DATA ===
np.random.seed(42)
n_points = 100
t = np.linspace(0, 5*np.pi, n_points)
x = t * np.cos(t) / 4 + 5
y = t * np.sin(t) / 4 + 5

# === FIGURE ===
fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(10, 10), dpi=100)
ax.set_facecolor(COLORS['background'])
fig.patch.set_facecolor(COLORS['background'])

# === PLOT ===
# Create gradient line using LineCollection
points = np.array([x, y]).T.reshape(-1, 1, 2)
segments = np.concatenate([points[:-1], points[1:]], axis=1)

# Color gradient along the path
colors = plt.cm.cool(np.linspace(0, 1, len(segments)))

# Multiple glow layers for the line
for width, alpha in [(12, 0.05), (8, 0.1), (5, 0.2)]:
    lc = LineCollection(segments, colors=colors, linewidth=width, alpha=alpha)
    ax.add_collection(lc)

# Main gradient line
lc_main = LineCollection(segments, colors=colors, linewidth=2.5)
ax.add_collection(lc_main)

# Scatter points with progressive sizing and glow
sizes = np.linspace(20, 120, n_points)
alphas = np.linspace(0.2, 0.9, n_points)

# Glow layer
for i in range(n_points):
    ax.scatter(x[i], y[i], s=sizes[i]*2, c=[colors[min(i, len(colors)-1)]], 
               alpha=0.1, zorder=2)

# Main points
for i in range(0, n_points, 3):  # Every 3rd point
    ax.scatter(x[i], y[i], s=sizes[i], c=[colors[min(i, len(colors)-1)]], 
               alpha=alphas[i], edgecolors='white', linewidths=1, zorder=3)

# Start marker with glow
ax.scatter(x[0], y[0], s=300, c=COLORS['start'], alpha=0.2, zorder=4)
ax.scatter(x[0], y[0], s=150, c=COLORS['start'], edgecolors='white', 
           linewidths=3, zorder=5, marker='o')
ax.annotate('START', (x[0], y[0]), xytext=(15, 15), textcoords='offset points',
            fontsize=10, fontweight='bold', color=COLORS['start'],
            bbox=dict(boxstyle='round,pad=0.3', facecolor='white', 
                     edgecolor=COLORS['start'], alpha=0.9))

# End marker with glow
ax.scatter(x[-1], y[-1], s=300, c=COLORS['end'], alpha=0.2, zorder=4)
ax.scatter(x[-1], y[-1], s=150, c=COLORS['end'], edgecolors='white', 
           linewidths=3, zorder=5, marker='o')
ax.annotate('END', (x[-1], y[-1]), xytext=(15, -20), textcoords='offset points',
            fontsize=10, fontweight='bold', color=COLORS['end'],
            bbox=dict(boxstyle='round,pad=0.3', facecolor='white', 
                     edgecolor=COLORS['end'], alpha=0.9))

# Time indicators along path
for idx in [25, 50, 75]:
    ax.annotate(f't={idx}', (x[idx], y[idx]), xytext=(10, 10), 
                textcoords='offset points', fontsize=8, color=COLORS['text_muted'],
                alpha=0.7)

# === STYLING ===
ax.spines['top'].set_visible(False)
ax.spines['right'].set_visible(False)
ax.spines['left'].set_color(COLORS['grid'])
ax.spines['bottom'].set_color(COLORS['grid'])

ax.set_xlim(-1, 11)
ax.set_ylim(-1, 11)
ax.set_aspect('equal')
ax.tick_params(axis='both', colors=COLORS['text_muted'], labelsize=9, length=0, pad=8)

ax.set_xlabel('X Position', fontsize=10, color=COLORS['text'], labelpad=10)
ax.set_ylabel('Y Position', fontsize=10, color=COLORS['text'], labelpad=10)

plt.tight_layout()
plt.show()