=== Headless Bridge by Crux ===
Contributors: andyryan
Tags: headless, rest-api, jamstack, next.js, performance
Requires at least: 5.8
Tested up to: 6.9
Stable tag: 1.0.4
Requires PHP: 7.4
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Zero-runtime headless API with pre-compiled JSON responses for fast content delivery.

== Description ==

**Headless Bridge by Crux** is a high-performance headless solution that pre-compiles your content into optimized JSON responses. Unlike traditional approaches that calculate data on-the-fly, Headless Bridge compiles everything when you save a post, resulting in fast API responses.

= Why Headless Bridge? =

Traditional headless setups can suffer from runtime overhead:
* They calculate data **on-the-fly**, leading to slow TTFB (Time To First Byte)
* Complex, nested JSON structures that frontend developers struggle with
* Every request hits the database and runs PHP logic
* Performance degrades as your site grows

**Headless Bridge uses a "Zero-Runtime" architecture:**
* Pre-calculates the entire API response when a post is **SAVED**
* Stores flat, optimized JSON in a custom database table
* Serves responses via a single, fast REST endpoint
* Includes SEO metadata and responsive images automatically

= How It Works =

Traditional headless setups calculate data on every request, running multiple database queries and PHP logic each time. Headless Bridge takes a different approach:

* **Pre-compiles content** when you save a post, not when a visitor requests it
* **Serves flat JSON** from a single optimized database query
* **Reduces response size** with a streamlined, flat data structure
* **Eliminates runtime overhead** by removing on-the-fly calculations

= Free Features =

* ✅ **Pre-compiled JSON** - Zero runtime overhead
* ✅ **Flat JSON structure** - Intuitive for React/Next.js developers
* ✅ **SEO ready** - Auto-includes Yoast/RankMath metadata
* ✅ **Image optimization** - Srcset data for next/image
* ✅ **Background processing** - Uses Action Scheduler or WP-Cron
* ✅ **API key authentication** - Secure preview access
* ✅ **Rate limiting** - Built-in DDoS protection
* ✅ **UUID-based IDs** - Prevents ID enumeration attacks
* ✅ **Multi-language** - WPML & Polylang support

= Pro Features (Separate Plugin) =

Upgrade to the Pro addon plugin for advanced functionality:

* 🚀 **ACF Integration** - Automatically include Advanced Custom Fields in your API responses
* 🚀 **Webhooks** - Trigger external services (Vercel, Netlify, etc.) on content updates
* 🚀 **Priority Support** - Email support with 24-hour response time
* 🚀 **Automatic Updates** - Seamless plugin updates through WordPress

**Pro is a separate addon plugin** that extends the free version.

[Learn more & Download Pro →](https://www.headless-bridge.com/pro)

= Built For =

* Next.js websites
* React applications
* Jamstack sites
* Mobile apps
* High-traffic headless WordPress sites

= API Endpoints =

**Base URL:** `https://your-wordpress-site.com/wp-json/bridge/v1`

* `GET /page?slug={slug}` - Get page by slug
* `GET /page/{uuid}` - Get page by UUID
* `GET /pages?type={type}&limit=20` - List pages
* `GET /stats` - Get cache statistics (admin only)

= Developer Friendly =

* Clean, flat JSON structure
* TypeScript-ready responses
* Comprehensive hooks and filters
* Well-documented codebase
* Built with security in mind

== Installation ==

1. Upload the plugin files to `/wp-content/plugins/headless-bridge`, or install through the WordPress plugins screen
2. Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' screen
3. Go to **Headless Bridge → Dashboard** to verify installation
4. Click **"Recompile All Content"** to process existing posts
5. Use the API endpoints in your frontend application

= Next.js Integration Example =

```javascript
// lib/wordpress.ts
const WP_API_URL = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_WP_API_URL;

export async function getPage(slug) {
  const res = await fetch(
    `${WP_API_URL}/bridge/v1/page?slug=${slug}`,
    { next: { revalidate: 3600 } }
  );
  return res.ok ? res.json() : null;
}
```

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Can this replace other headless solutions? =

For most standard content delivery use cases, yes. If you need complex nested queries, a GraphQL-based solution might be more suitable, but Headless Bridge excels at fast, pre-compiled content delivery.

= How does it handle content updates? =

Content is automatically recompiled in the background when you save a post. There's no manual cache invalidation needed.

= Does it work with ACF (Advanced Custom Fields)? =

Yes! ACF support is available in the **Pro addon plugin** (sold separately). The Pro addon extends this free plugin with ACF integration, webhooks, and more.

[Get Pro addon →](https://www.headless-bridge.com/pro)

= What about custom post types? =

Yes! Enable them in **Settings → Enabled Post Types**.

= How do I invalidate the cache? =

The cache auto-updates when you save a post. For manual clearing: **Dashboard → Clear All Cache**

= Can I use this with WPML/Polylang? =

Yes! Multi-language support is **FREE** and works automatically with WPML and Polylang. See MULTILINGUAL.md for setup instructions.

= How do I preview draft content? =

Generate an API key in **Headless Bridge → API Keys**, then use it in your requests with the `preview=true` parameter.

= Is it secure? =

Yes! Built with security in mind:
* API keys stored as SHA-256 hashes
* Rate limiting to prevent DDoS
* UUID-based IDs to prevent enumeration
* Preview access requires authentication

== Screenshots ==

1. Dashboard with cache statistics and queue status
2. Settings page for configuration
3. API Keys management
4. License activation (Pro)
5. Example JSON response

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.4 =
* Version bump and rebuild for distribution

= 1.0.3 =
* Fix: Resolved fatal error from undefined constants (HEADBRIDGE_PLUGIN_URL, HEADBRIDGE_VERSION) in admin, license, and updater classes
* Fix: Aligned all constant references to use HB_VERSION, HB_PLUGIN_URL, HB_PLUGIN_FILE

= 1.0.2 =
* Fix: WordPress.org compliance - Removed all license validation code from free version
* Fix: WordPress.org compliance - Changed all prefixes from "hb" to "headbridge" (4+ character requirement)
* Enhancement: All features now fully functional in free version with zero restrictions
* Info: Pro features (ACF, Webhooks, Auto-updates) available as separate addon plugin

= 1.0.1 =
* Fix: Added locale fallback for post queries to ensure posts appear in API
* Fix: Improved database query handling for multi-locale environments
* Enhancement: Better error handling when posts have strict locale matching

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial release
* Core API endpoints (/page, /pages, /stats)
* SEO metadata support (Yoast, RankMath)
* Image optimization with srcset
* Background compilation with Action Scheduler
* API key authentication
* Rate limiting
* UUID-based public IDs
* Multi-language support (WPML/Polylang)
* License validation system
* Pro features: ACF integration, Webhooks
* Auto-update mechanism for Pro users

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.0.0 =
Initial release of Headless Bridge - zero-runtime headless API with pre-compiled responses.

== Support ==

For support, please visit:
* [Documentation](https://www.headless-bridge.com/docs)
* [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/cruxadvisors/headless-bridge-by-crux/issues)

**Pro users:** Priority email support included with your license.