=== Character Counter for Gravity Forms ===
Contributors: scriptvoyager
Donate link: https://github.com/scriptvoyager/character-counter-for-gravity-forms/
Tags: gravityforms, character counter, form fields, text limit, user experience
Requires at least: 6.0
Tested up to: 6.8
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 1.5.12
License: GPLv3
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html

Add intelligent character counting to Gravity Forms with real-time feedback and optional enforcement. Perfect for content creators and professionals.

== Description ==

**Stop guessing about form field lengths!** Character Counter for Gravity Forms adds intelligent, real-time character counting to your Gravity Forms, providing users with instant feedback without restricting their creativity.

= 🚀 Why Choose Character Counter for Gravity Forms? =

This powerful WordPress plugin enhances user experience by showing exactly how many characters users have typed, with optional visual recommendations that guide without limiting.

= ✨ Key Benefits =

* **📊 Real-Time Feedback**: Users see character count updates as they type
* **🎯 Visual Recommendations**: Set helpful guidelines, not restrictions
* **🔧 Developer Friendly**: Fully customizable CSS and configuration
* **🌍 Translation Ready**: Complete internationalization support
* **⚡ Performance Optimized**: Lightweight code that won't slow your site
* **🛡️ Enterprise Security**: WordPress coding standards compliant

= 🎯 Perfect For =

* **Content Creators** - Blog comments, article submissions, reviews
* **E-commerce Sites** - Product descriptions, customer testimonials
* **Educational Platforms** - Essay submissions, course evaluations
* **Corporate Websites** - Contact forms, job applications, surveys
* **Any WordPress Site** using Gravity Forms needing character guidance

= 🔥 Features That Make The Difference =

**Smart Visual Feedback**
* Dynamic counter with real-time updates
* Color-coded warnings when approaching limits
* Customizable display to match your design

**Flexible Configuration**
* Per-field control - enable/disable on individual fields
* Custom limits - different recommendations per field
* Optional enforcement - choose between visual guidelines or strict limits that block form submission
* Server-side validation - secure enforcement with proper error handling
* Rich text support - works with text and textarea fields

**Complete Customization**
* Built-in CSS editor for perfect styling
* Custom text format control
* Easy reset to default settings
* Seamless theme integration

= 📋 Quick Setup Guide =

1. **Install & Activate** - Upload and activate through WordPress dashboard
2. **Configure Forms** - Edit Gravity Forms, enable character count on desired fields
3. **Set Limits** - Add recommended character limits (optional)
4. **Choose Enforcement** - Decide between visual guidance or strict validation (optional)
5. **Customize** - Use built-in settings to match your design (optional)

= 💡 Pro Tips =

* Set realistic recommendations based on content needs
* Use encouraging language in custom text formats
* Consider mobile users when setting character limits
* Leverage custom CSS for perfect theme integration

== Installation ==

= Automatic Installation =

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New
3. Search for "Character Counter for Gravity Forms"
4. Click "Install Now" and then "Activate"
5. The plugin automatically integrates with Gravity Forms

= Manual Installation =

1. Download the plugin zip file
2. Upload to `/wp-content/plugins/` directory
3. Extract the files
4. Activate through the WordPress admin Plugins page
5. Configure through Forms > Character Counter

= Requirements =

* WordPress 6.0 or higher
* Gravity Forms plugin (required dependency)
* PHP 7.4 or higher

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Does this plugin require Gravity Forms? =

Yes, this plugin is specifically designed to work with Gravity Forms and requires it to be installed and active.

= Can I set different character limits for different fields? =

Absolutely! You can set individual character recommendations for each form field, or leave some without limits.

= Does this restrict user input? =

By default, no. The plugin provides visual recommendations to guide users. However, you can optionally enable **strict character limit enforcement** that prevents form submission when limits are exceeded, with clear error messages showing current vs. allowed characters.

= Can I customize the appearance? =

Yes! The plugin includes a built-in CSS editor where you can customize colors, fonts, positioning, and more to match your theme perfectly.

= Is this plugin translation ready? =

Yes, the plugin is fully internationalized with proper translators' comments and supports all WordPress translation methods.

= Does this affect site performance? =

No, the plugin is highly optimized with minimal resource usage. It only loads necessary JavaScript and CSS when forms with character counting are displayed.

= Can I use this with multisite installations? =

Yes, the plugin works perfectly with WordPress multisite installations.

= What happens if I deactivate Gravity Forms? =

The plugin includes dependency checking and will safely deactivate itself if Gravity Forms is not available, preventing any errors.

== Support ==

For support, feature requests, or bug reports:

* **GitHub**: [Issues and Support](https://github.com/scriptvoyager/character-counter-for-gravity-forms/issues)
* **Documentation**: Complete setup guides and examples
* **Community**: WordPress.org support forums

== Privacy ==

This plugin does not collect, store, or transmit any user data. All character counting is performed client-side in the user's browser for maximum privacy and performance.

== Technical Details ==

* **WordPress Standards**: Follows all WordPress coding and security standards
* **Plugin Check Ready**: Passes all WordPress.org repository requirements  
* **Security First**: Proper input sanitization and CSRF protection
* **Translation Ready**: Full i18n support with translators' comments
* **Performance**: Optimized for minimal resource usage
* **Compatibility**: Works with all modern WordPress themes and plugins

== Changelog ==