=== LMDM Lightbox Image Caption ===
Contributors: nicmare
Tags: LMDM, Lightbox, Image, Gallery, Caption
Requires at least: 6.9
Tested up to: 7.0
Stable tag: 1.0.0
Requires PHP: 8.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Adds a lightbox-only image caption toggle for core Image and Gallery blocks.

== Description ==

Wordpress ships with a native Lightbox-Effect for image blocks. This plugin adds one tiny additional option to the core image and gallery blocks: `Show Caption`.

When the toggle is enabled, the native lightbox receives the current image alt text as a `data-img-alt` attribute on the enlarged lightbox figure. A small frontend CSS then displays that value as a caption overlay inside the lightbox image.

Please note: The caption text is taken from the image `alt` attribute.

The toggle is only available when the native Lightbox-Effect is active. If the lightbox is disabled or the image is linked somewhere else, the caption option is disabled as well.

=== Plugin Features ===

✔  adds a new toggle `Show caption` to the core Image block
✔  adds the same toggle to the core Gallery block
✔  the toggle can only be enabled when the native Lightbox-Effect is active
✔  ships with German translation files for the editor toggle
✔  uses the image `alt` attribute as value for `data-img-alt`
✔  adds the attribute only to the enlarged image figure in the lightbox
✔  supports galleries by passing the gallery setting to the nested image blocks
✔  outputs the value with a lightweight frontend CSS pseudo element
✔  uses no new block and does not replace the existing Image or Gallery blocks

== Installation ==

1. Upload the plugin files to the `/wp-content/plugins/lmdm-lightbox-image-caption` directory, or install the plugin through the WordPress plugins screen directly.
2. Activate the plugin through the **Plugins** screen in WordPress.
3. Open a post or page in the block editor.
4. Add or select an **Image** or **Gallery** block.
5. Enable the native Lightbox-Effect first.
6. Enable `Show caption` in the Lightbox panel.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Does it create a new block? =

No, it only extends the existing core Image and Gallery blocks.

= Does it use the normal image caption field? =

No. It uses the image `alt` attribute and writes it to `data-img-alt` in the native lightbox overlay.

= Why is the toggle disabled? =

The toggle is only active when the native Wordpress Lightbox-Effect is enabled. If the image links to a media file, attachment page or custom URL, the native lightbox is not active and the option is disabled.

= Does it work with galleries? =

Yes. Enable the native Lightbox-Effect for the gallery first and then enable `Show caption`. The setting is passed to the gallery images when the block is rendered.

= Does it load any additional assets in the frontend? =

Yes, it loads one small CSS file that displays the `data-img-alt` value as a pseudo element in the native lightbox overlay.

= What happens when i disable the plugin? =

The additional toggle and frontend caption output disappear. Existing Image and Gallery blocks continue to work as normal core blocks.

= Who is the author of the plugin? =

The Wordpress-User "nicmare" vibe coded it. Means he had the idea of the plugin and uses AI to craft the code.

== Screenshots ==

1. Lightbox panel with `Show caption` toggle in the Image block
2. Lightbox panel with `Show caption` toggle in the Gallery block
3. Native lightbox with displayed image description

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.0 =
* first release of the plugin
* added German translation files for the editor toggle
