=== Table of Contents Generator - SmartTOC Lite ===
Contributors: sinergodata  
Tags: table of contents, wordpress toc, block editor, accessibility, seo
Requires at least: 5.6  
Tested up to: 6.9.1  
Requires PHP: 7.2  
Stable tag: 1.1.3  
License: GPLv2 or later  
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Create a clean, accessible Table of Contents — fast, customizable, and compatible with any theme or editor.

== Description ==

Unlike heavy TOC plugins, **SmartTOC Lite** is lightweight, fast, and built with accessibility in mind. It automatically generates a clean, SEO-friendly table of contents based on your content’s headings (H2, H3, etc.), making it easier for visitors to navigate your posts and pages.

SmartTOC Lite works with posts, pages, and custom post types, and is fully compatible with both the block editor (Gutenberg) and the classic editor. By improving content structure and readability, it also helps boost on-page SEO.

**Why choose SmartTOC Lite?**  
- ⚡ **Lightweight & fast** — built for performance, won’t slow down your site.  
- 🔍 **SEO-friendly** — semantic HTML with clean anchor links.  
- ♿ **Accessibility-first** — designed to work for all users. 
- 🎨 **Flexible design options** — customize fonts, colors, borders, and spacing.  
- 🧪 **Instant live preview** — see your changes before publishing.  

**Key features:**  
- ✅ **Automatic TOC insertion** into posts, pages, or custom post types  
- 🔠 **Custom heading levels** — choose which headings (H1–H6) to include  
- ⚙️ **Shortcode support** — `[smart_toc]` for full manual control  
- 🧭 **Expand/Collapse toggle** with multiple display options  
- 🧩 **Theme-independent output** — clean, responsive HTML that fits any design
- 🖌️ **Visual customization** — adjust fonts, colors, spacing, and more from settings

**Shortcode example:**

[smart_toc heading_levels="h2,h3" title="On this page"]

== Installation ==

1. Upload the plugin folder to `/wp-content/plugins/` or install it from the WordPress Plugins screen.
2. Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress.
3. Go to **SmartTOC Lite** to configure your preferences.
4. Optionally, use `[smart_toc]` shortcode anywhere you want a manual TOC.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Can I use it manually only? =  
Yes. Just disable auto-insert and use the `[smart_toc]` shortcode wherever you need.

= Is it compatible with all themes? =  
Yes. The plugin outputs clean, theme-independent HTML and CSS, and includes enough styling options to match most designs.

= Can I hide the TOC on a specific post? =  
Yes. You can disable it per post using the checkbox in the post editor.

= Does it work with the block editor (Gutenberg)? =  
Yes. SmartTOC Lite works seamlessly with both Gutenberg and the classic editor.

= Will it slow down my website? =
No. The plugin is lightweight, uses clean HTML/CSS, and adds minimal overhead.

= Can I customize the styles? =
Yes. You can change fonts, colors, borders, spacing and more directly from the settings.

= Is it SEO-friendly? =
Yes. The TOC is generated with semantic HTML and anchor links that help search engines better understand your content.

== Screenshots ==

1. Example of a TOC on the front-end.
2. Live preview with admin styling options.
3. Shortcode settings and manual control.

== Changelog ==

= 1.1.3 =
* Fix: Removed extra spaces and improved text sanitization in TOC items.

= 1.1.2 =
* Fix: TOC no longer appears in excerpts.

= 1.1.1 =
* Update: improved TOC list in live preview

= 1.1.0 =
* Added per-side padding controls (top/right/bottom/left)
* Updated live preview & dynamic CSS to use per-side padding
* Back-compat: automatic migration for old numeric padding option

= 1.0.3 =
* Updated plugin name for SEO

= 1.0.2 =
* Updated CSS styles for better theme compatibility

= 1.0.1 =
* Added "Settings" link in plugin list

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial release.

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.1.3 =
* Fix: Removed extra spaces and improved text sanitization in TOC items.

= 1.1.2 =
* Fixes TOC showing in excerpts.

= 1.1.1 =
* Update: improved TOC list in live preview

= 1.1.0 =
* Per-side padding replaces the single padding option; old numeric values migrate automatically.

= 1.0.3 =
* Updated plugin name for SEO

= 1.0.2 =
CSS update – improves compatibility and styling consistency.

= 1.0.1 =
Minor update – added Settings shortcut link in plugin list.

= 1.0.0 =
Initial version – includes shortcode support, auto-insert, accessibility, live preview, and full appearance customization.

== Credits ==

Developed by [SinergoData](https://sinergodata.com/)