=== TopPicks – Editorial Picks Card Section ===
Contributors: snilesh
Tags: top picks, listicle, affiliate, gutenberg block, editorial
Requires at least: 6.4
Tested up to: 6.9
Requires PHP: 8.0
Stable tag: 1.0.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Create editorial "Top Picks" card sections for listicle articles. Zero JS, under 5KB, works with any theme.

== Description ==

**TopPicks** is the first WordPress plugin built specifically for creating "Top Picks" / "Our Recommendations" / "Editor's Choice" summary card sections at the top of listicle articles.

Every major review site — Wirecutter, WPBeginner, TechRadar, PCMag, Tom's Hardware — uses this exact UI pattern: 3-5 product/service recommendation cards with badges, one-liners, and CTA buttons. Until now, WordPress bloggers had to build this manually in HTML, use clunky page builders, or skip it entirely.

**TopPicks makes it one Gutenberg block.**

= Free Features (12) =

1. **Top Picks Gutenberg block** — drag-and-drop from the block inserter
2. **Up to 5 pick cards** per block
3. **Badge labels** — "Best Overall", "Best Value", "Editor's Pick" + custom badges
4. **Product name + one-liner** per card
5. **CTA button with link** — "View Plans", "Check Price", custom text
6. **3 layout templates** — Horizontal cards, Vertical grid, Compact list
7. **Basic color controls** — badges, cards, buttons, section background
8. **Responsive design** — stacks beautifully on mobile
9. **Section heading** — "Our Top Picks", "Editor's Choice", custom text
10. **Nofollow/sponsored link toggle** — rel="sponsored" per Google guidelines
11. **Under 5KB footprint** — zero JavaScript on frontend, pure CSS
12. **Works with any theme** — 100% Gutenberg-native, no page builder dependency

= Who Is This For? =

* Affiliate marketers writing "Best X for 2026" articles
* Review bloggers and niche site owners
* WooCommerce shops needing "Staff Picks" sections
* Anyone publishing product roundups or recommendations


== Installation ==

1. Upload the `toppicks-block` folder to `/wp-content/plugins/`
2. Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' menu
3. In the Gutenberg editor, search for "Top Picks" or find it in the Widgets category
4. Add pick cards, customize badges, set CTA links, choose a layout
5. Publish!

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Does this work with my theme? =
Yes! TopPicks is a native Gutenberg block — it works with every theme that supports the WordPress block editor.

= Does it add JavaScript to my frontend? =
No. The frontend is pure CSS (under 5KB). Zero JavaScript.

= Can I use this for affiliate links? =
Absolutely. TopPicks has built-in rel="sponsored" and rel="nofollow" toggles, following Google's guidelines for affiliate links.

= Why only 5 cards in the free version? =
Most "Top Picks" sections on major sites use 3-5 picks. The free version covers the most common use case. 

== Screenshots ==

1. Horizontal layout — the default Wirecutter-style card list
2. Grid layout — vertical card columns
3. Compact layout — minimal, space-efficient list
4. Gutenberg editor — inline editing with sidebar controls
5. Color customization panel

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial release
* 3 layout templates: horizontal, grid, compact
* Up to 5 pick cards with badges, names, descriptions, CTA buttons
* Full color customization
* Nofollow/sponsored link controls
* Responsive mobile design
* Zero-JS frontend (under 5KB CSS)