How to put categories instead of page menu, WITHOUT using the Configure Layout option
 

I know you can make your categories show up in the header navigation bar (instead of page names) simply by typing "%logo %image %cats" in place of "%logo %image %pages" in the Style & Edit Header Area page...but how do you do it as a code in CSS or .php pages.

I'm using a plugin that doesn't work with putting %cats in that spot...so I need a reminder of where else to code this, thanks

1) you can't do it with CSS - CSS is for styling, not generating code
2) if you don't want to use %cats, then you can roll your own menubar (add the html you want in place of the %cat)