=== Badwolf Web IRC Client - Version History === Complete version history and release notes for all versions. ================================================================================ VERSION 5.2.0 - January 18, 2026 Release Type: Major Update Status: Stable WordPress Compatibility: 5.0 - 6.9 PHP Requirement: 7.4+ --- Summary --- Critical update addressing WordPress 6.9 compatibility issues and WebSocket connection stability. This release fixes script loading problems introduced by WordPress 6.9's changes to the global $post object handling, and resolves binary WebSocket data handling that caused connection drops. --- Major Changes --- WordPress 6.9 Compatibility: • Fixed script enqueueing system to work with WordPress 6.9 • Implemented multi-method shortcode detection • Added support for block themes and Full Site Editing (FSE) • Fixed wp_localize_script() timing issue • Added fallback script loading in shortcode handler WebSocket Improvements: • Added IRC WebSocket subprotocol support (['irc', 'binary.ircv3.net']) • Fixed binary WebSocket data handling (Blob to text conversion) • Resolved connection drops caused by data type mismatches • Improved WebSocket error logging and diagnostics User Interface: • Added Settings link to plugin list page • Improved error messages and status indicators • Enhanced connection state management --- Bug Fixes --- • Fixed: Plugin not loading scripts in WordPress 6.9 • Fixed: Configuration not being passed to JavaScript • Fixed: WebSocket closing with error code 1006 • Fixed: "data.trim is not a function" error • Fixed: Scripts not loading on archive pages • Fixed: Shortcode detection failing with block themes --- Technical Details --- • Rewrote enqueue_scripts() method with three-tier detection • Added FileReader API for binary WebSocket message handling • Implemented plugin_action_links filter for settings link • Enhanced script registration workflow • Added comprehensive error handling --- Files Changed --- • badwolf-web-irc-client.php - Core plugin file • assets/web-irc.js - JavaScript client • docs/CHANGELOG.txt - Updated changelog • docs/CONFIGURATION.txt - Updated configuration guide • docs/INSTALLATION.txt - Updated installation guide • docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.txt - New troubleshooting guide • docs/VERSION-HISTORY.txt - This file --- Upgrade Path --- From 5.1.x: 1. Backup current plugin files 2. Replace plugin files with 5.2.0 version 3. Clear all caches (WordPress, browser, server) 4. Verify SSL certificates are valid 5. Test connection From 5.0.x or earlier: 1. Review CONFIGURATION.txt for new settings 2. Follow upgrade path from 5.1.x above 3. Update UnrealIRCd configuration if needed --- Known Issues --- None at this time. --- Credits --- • Lead Developer: Martin Cooper (badwolf72) • Testing: Community contributors • Bug Reports: WordPress.org support forum users ================================================================================ VERSION 5.1.1 - December 2025 Release Type: Maintenance Release Status: Stable (Superseded by 5.2.0) WordPress Compatibility: 5.0 - 6.8 PHP Requirement: 7.4+ --- Summary --- Maintenance release with bug fixes and minor improvements. Last version before WordPress 6.9 compatibility issues were discovered. --- Changes --- • Improved error handling in WebSocket connection • Enhanced reconnection logic • Fixed minor CSS issues • Updated documentation • Performance optimizations --- Bug Fixes --- • Fixed: Reconnection attempts not resetting properly • Fixed: User list not updating in some cases • Fixed: Theme switching issues • Fixed: Message history overflow --- Known Issues --- • Not compatible with WordPress 6.9 (fixed in 5.2.0) • Binary WebSocket data causes crashes (fixed in 5.2.0) ================================================================================ VERSION 5.1.0 - November 2025 Release Type: Feature Release Status: Stable (Superseded by 5.2.0) WordPress Compatibility: 5.0 - 6.8 PHP Requirement: 7.4+ --- Summary --- Major feature release adding private messaging, desktop notifications, and enhanced user interface with tabbed windows. --- New Features --- Private Messaging: • Click username to open private message window • Multiple PM windows with tabs • Unread message badges • Desktop notifications for PMs User Interface: • Tabbed interface for channels and PMs • Context menus for users • Improved message display • Better mobile responsiveness Notifications: • Desktop notifications for mentions • Desktop notifications for private messages • Configurable notification timeout • Browser notification permission handling --- Improvements --- • Enhanced user list with click handlers • Better message formatting • Improved error messages • Enhanced reconnection logic • Better theme support --- Technical Changes --- • Refactored message handling • Added tab management system • Implemented notification API • Enhanced DOM manipulation • Improved event handling ================================================================================ VERSION 5.0.0 - October 2025 Release Type: Major Release Status: Stable (Superseded by 5.2.0) WordPress Compatibility: 5.0 - 6.8 PHP Requirement: 7.4+ --- Summary --- Initial public release of Badwolf Web IRC Client. Complete rewrite of previous versions with modern WebSocket implementation and WordPress integration. --- Features --- Core Functionality: • WebSocket IRC client • Real-time messaging • User list • Channel support • IRC commands (/nick, /join, /part, /msg, /me) WordPress Integration: • Shortcode support • Admin settings page • Theme customization • Auto-connect option User Interface: • Clean, modern design • Light and dark themes • Responsive layout • Message history • Command history (arrow keys) Connection Management: • Auto-reconnection • Exponential backoff • Connection status indicators • Error handling --- Technical Implementation --- • Pure JavaScript (no jQuery dependency) • WebSocket API • WordPress Plugin API • Secure WebSocket (wss://) • UnrealIRCd compatibility --- Requirements --- • WordPress 5.0+ • PHP 7.4+ • UnrealIRCd 6.0+ with WebSocket support • Valid SSL certificate ================================================================================ VERSION 4.x - Legacy Versions Pre-release versions (not publicly available) Development and testing versions Not recommended for production use ================================================================================ VERSION 3.x - Legacy Versions Early development versions Basic IRC functionality No WebSocket support Deprecated ================================================================================ VERSION 2.x - Legacy Versions Prototype versions Limited functionality Not released publicly Deprecated ================================================================================ VERSION 1.x - Legacy Versions Initial concept and proof of concept Internal testing only Never released Deprecated ================================================================================ SUPPORT AND RESOURCES GitHub Repository: https://github.com/badwolf1972/web-irc-client WordPress Plugin Page: https://wordpress.org/plugins/badwolf-web-irc-client/ Support Forum: https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/badwolf-web-irc-client/ Documentation: See docs/ folder in plugin directory Author Website: https://www.oo3dmodels.com ================================================================================ DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP Planned Features (Future Versions): Version 5.3.0 (Planned): • File sharing support • Image preview in chat • Emoji support • Custom themes • User profiles Version 5.4.0 (Planned): • Voice chat integration • Video chat support • Screen sharing • Advanced moderation tools Version 6.0.0 (Planned): • Complete UI redesign • Mobile app integration • Advanced analytics • Multi-server support • Federation support Community Requests: • IRC bouncer integration • Custom commands • Bot integration • Logging and search • Channel management tools Submit feature requests: https://github.com/badwolf1972/web-irc-client/issues ================================================================================ DEPRECATION NOTICES Deprecated Features: • None at this time Planned Deprecations: • None at this time Removed Features: • None at this time ================================================================================ LICENSE INFORMATION License: GPL v2 or later License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version. This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details. ================================================================================ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Special Thanks: • UnrealIRCd team for excellent IRC server software • WordPress community for support and feedback • Beta testers and early adopters • Contributors and bug reporters Third-Party Libraries: • None (pure JavaScript implementation) Inspiration: • Classic IRC clients (mIRC, HexChat, etc.) • Modern web chat applications • WebSocket technology ================================================================================ CONTACT INFORMATION Author: Martin Cooper (badwolf72) Email: mtaylor141273@gmail.com Website: https://www.oo3dmodels.com GitHub: https://github.com/badwolf1972 For support, please use: • GitHub Issues (preferred) • WordPress Support Forum • Email (for private matters only) ================================================================================ End of Version History Last Updated: January 18, 2026 Document Version: 5.2.0