=== Essentials by Digital Creatings ===
Contributors: puneetbca
Tags: security, performance, SMTP, custom scripts, digital creatings
Requires at least: 5.0
Tested up to: 7.0
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 2.0.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Lightweight WordPress essentials for security, performance, SMTP email, and custom code — built by Digital Creatings.

== About Digital Creatings ==

**Essentials by Digital Creatings** is developed and maintained by [Digital Creatings](https://www.digitalcreatings.com), a company focused on reliable WordPress solutions for businesses and agencies.

Website: https://www.digitalcreatings.com  
Support: https://www.digitalcreatings.com/contact/

== Description ==

Essentials by Digital Creatings is a **lightweight and powerful** WordPress plugin designed to **improve security, optimize performance, and enhance email functionality**. It hides WordPress version exposure, hardens common attack surfaces, removes unnecessary bloat, and lets you **configure SMTP** and **inject custom scripts** from a single admin hub.

**New in Version 2.0:**
* **Modern admin UI** — Redesigned dashboard aligned with WordPress 6.x / 7.0 admin patterns
* **Self-hosted assets** — No external Bootstrap CDN; faster and more privacy-friendly
* **Unified navigation** — Quick access across Security, SMTP, and Custom Scripts
* **Backward compatible** — All existing option keys, database tables, and front-end behavior preserved on upgrade

🔒 **Security + Optimization + Email + Custom Code** in one plugin from Digital Creatings.

**Features:**

🔹 **Security Enhancements:**
- Disable XML-RPC to help prevent brute force attacks
- Hide WordPress version details (meta, query strings, HTTP headers)
- Remove REST API links to reduce exposure
- Disable RSS feeds and feed links
- Block self-pingbacks and comment spam
- Remove RSD (Really Simple Discovery) link
- Remove shortlinks for better privacy

🚀 **Performance Optimizations:**
- Disable Emojis to reduce unnecessary script loads
- Remove jQuery Migrate to improve front-end speed
- Disable Google Maps API if unused
- Remove WordPress embeds to prevent external content embedding

📧 **SMTP Email Configuration:**
- Configure SMTP settings (Host, Port, Username, Password, Encryption)
- Choose SMTP or default PHP mail
- Set custom "From Name" and "From Email" for outgoing emails
- Send test emails directly from the admin panel

💻 **Custom Scripts:**
- Add header, body, or footer snippets
- Target all pages or specific post/page IDs
- Stored in a dedicated database table (unchanged in 2.0)

== Installation ==

1. Upload the plugin folder to your `/wp-content/plugins/` directory.
2. Activate the plugin through the **Plugins** menu in WordPress.
3. Go to **Essentials by DC** in the WordPress admin panel.
4. Configure security, SMTP email, and custom scripts as needed.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Who makes this plugin? =

Essentials by Digital Creatings is a product of **Digital Creatings**. Visit https://www.digitalcreatings.com for more information and support.

= Will upgrading to 2.0 reset my settings? =

No. Version 2.0 keeps the same WordPress options and custom scripts table. Your security toggles, SMTP credentials, and snippets remain intact after updating.

= How do I configure SMTP? =

Navigate to **Essentials by DC → SMTP Email**, enter your SMTP details, save, then use **Send Test Email** to verify delivery.

= Will this plugin affect my site's speed? =

The plugin can improve performance when optimization features are enabled (emojis, embeds, jQuery Migrate, etc.). Disabled features have no effect.

== Screenshots ==

1. Modern dashboard with quick links to all sections
2. Security and performance settings
3. SMTP email configuration and test mail
4. Custom scripts manager

== Changelog ==

= 2.0.0 =
* **New:** Modern admin UI compatible with WordPress 7.0
* **New:** Self-hosted admin CSS/JS (removed external Bootstrap CDN dependency)
* **New:** Unified navigation and card-based settings layout
* **Improved:** Dashboard welcome screen with feature overview
* **Improved:** SMTP and Custom Scripts admin experience
* **Maintained:** All existing option names, hooks, and front-end behavior for sites already using the plugin

= 1.4.3 =
* Tested compatibility with WordPress 7.0
* Updated minimum PHP requirement to 7.4 (aligned with WordPress 7.0)
* Improved admin asset loading on all plugin settings screens

= 1.3 =
* **Added:** SMTP Email Configuration (SMTP settings for outgoing emails)
* **Added:** Test Email Functionality (Send test emails from the admin panel)
* **Added:** Login Security (Customize login URL)
* **Added:** Disable RSS feeds, REST API links, and self-pingbacks
* **Added:** Remove jQuery Migrate, shortlink, RSD link, and embeds
* **Improved:** Performance optimizations for WordPress sites

= 1.2.2 =
* **Added:** Option to disable XML-RPC
* **Added:** Option to remove WordPress version information
* **Improved:** Security enhancements and settings page UI

= 1.2.1 =
* Initial stable release with essential security and performance features.

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 2.0.0 =
Major UI refresh for WordPress 7.0. **Safe to update** — settings, SMTP config, and custom scripts are preserved. No migration required.

= 1.4.3 =
Compatibility release for WordPress 7.0. Safe to update; no settings changes required.

= 1.3 =
This update includes SMTP email configuration, login security, and additional security enhancements. **Update now** for improved security and performance.

== Support ==

For support, please visit [Digital Creatings](https://www.digitalcreatings.com) or [contact us](https://www.digitalcreatings.com/contact/).
