=== Ajax Smart Filter ===
Contributors: ramcraft
Tags: ajax filter, post filter, search suggestion, custom template development, grid layout, masonry, template builder
Requires at least: 6.0
Tested up to: 6.8
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 1.5
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

== Description ==

Ajax Smart Filter is a powerful, professional, real-time AJAX filtering plugin for WordPress.  
It helps users instantly filter posts, portfolios, listings, and any custom post type — without reloading the page.

Designed for speed, flexibility, and customizability, the plugin includes modern templates, search suggestions, taxonomy filters, sort options, and a complete template builder for custom layouts.


Perfect for:
- Blogs & news websites
- Portfolios
- Real estate listings
- Directories
- Job boards
- Any content-heavy website

### Key Features

**⚡ Fast AJAX Filtering**
- Lightweight endpoint (bypasses plugin loading)
- No page reloads
- Smart optimized queries

**🔍 Advanced Search**
- Live search with autocomplete
- Search title, content, or custom fields
- Smart suggestions with images

**📂 Taxonomy Filters**
- Categories, tags, any custom taxonomy
- Dropdowns or tab-style filters
- AND/OR match logic

**🎛️ Sorting Options**
- Newest, Oldest
- A–Z, Z–A
- Popular posts

**🎨 Modern Templates**
- Modern Card
- Horizontal Card
- Masonry Grid
- Featured + Grid

**🛠️ Custom Template Builder**
- Custom HTML for filter bar
- Custom HTML for result items
- ACE code editor

**Available Placeholders:**
- `[filter attribute="search"]` - Search input with autocomplete
- `[filter attribute="category"]` - Category dropdown
- `[filter attribute="category-tabs"]` - Category tabs
- `[filter attribute="tag"]` - Tag dropdown
- `[filter attribute="tag-tabs"]` - Tag tabs
- `[filter attribute="sort"]` - Sort dropdown
- `[filter attribute="apply-button"]` - Apply button

#### **Custom Result Item HTML**
Design your own post cards:

**Available Placeholders:**
- `{{post_id}}` - Post ID number
- `{{post_title}}` - Post title
- `{{post_link}}` - Post permalink URL
- `{{post_slug}}` - Post slug
- `{{post_excerpt}}` - Post excerpt
- `{{post_content}}` - Full post content
- `{{post_date}}` - Formatted date
- `{{post_author}}` - Author name
- `{{post_author_avatar}}` - Author avatar image
- `{{post_category}}` - First category name
- `{{post_categories}}` - All categories (comma-separated)
- `{{post_tag}}` - First tag name
- `{{post_tags}}` - All tags (comma-separated)
- `{{post_image}}` - Featured image HTML
- `{{post_image_url}}` - Featured image URL

**🌈 Styling Options**
- 4 filter styles: default, minimalist, sidebar, compact
- Custom color themes
- Show/hide title, excerpt, date, author, image
- Excerpt length control

**🔗 URL & State Management**
- URL query string support
- Shareable filter URLs
- Custom parameter names


**📄 Pagination**
- Numeric, next/prev, or both
- Custom posts per page

**Compatible with everything**
- Any theme
- Gutenberg & Classic Editor
- Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder
- Any post type or taxonomy

---

== Installation ==

1. Upload the plugin ZIP via **Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin**
2. Activate the plugin
3. Go to **Filter Sets → Add New**
4. Configure filters, template, and settings
5. Copy the shortcode:  
   `[asfp_post_filter id="123"]`
6. Paste it into any page or post

---

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Does this work with custom post types? =
Yes. Ajax Smart Filter works with any public post type, including custom post types.

= Can I use multiple filter sets on the same page? =
Yes. You can add multiple shortcodes on the same page, each with different configurations.

= Will this work with my theme? =
Yes. The plugin outputs clean HTML and minimal CSS, making it compatible with any WordPress theme.

= Can I customize the styling? =
Yes. You can customize colors, use custom HTML templates, or add your own CSS.

= Does it work with page builders? =
Yes. It works with Elementor, Beaver Builder, Divi, and other page builders via shortcode.

= How do I change the number of posts per page? =
Go to your Filter Set settings → Pagination → Posts Per Page.

= Can I search in custom fields? =
Yes. Enable "Custom Fields (meta)" in the Search Scope settings.

= How do I enable URL parameters? =
Go to Filter Set → URL & State Management → Enable URL Query String.

= Can I use custom taxonomy terms? =
Yes. The plugin automatically detects and uses any taxonomy registered for your post type.

= How do I hide empty categories or tags? =
Enable "Hide Empty Terms" in the Filter Set settings.

= Can I create my own template? =
Yes. Use the Custom Result Item HTML editor with placeholders like {{post_title}}, {{post_image}}, etc.

= How do I change filter colors? =
Go to Filter Set → Color Theme and use the color pickers.

= Can I add custom CSS? =
Yes. Add custom CSS to your theme stylesheet or use any custom CSS plugin.

= How do I customize labels? =
Go to Filter Set → Filter Labels & Text to customize all labels.

---

== Changelog ==

= 1.2 =
- Added 4 professional templates
- Added custom color themes
- Added custom HTML template builder
- Added URL query string support
- Added excerpt length control
- Added analytics module
- Improved AJAX performance
- Fixed bugs and improved stability

= 1.1 =
- Initial release with basic filters, search, taxonomy, and pagination


== Upgrade Notice ==
Major performance improvements and new templates in version 1.2. Update recommended.