=== MKM Content Layout Studio ===
Contributors: kashiahmer
Donate link: https://mkm.fan
Tags: post-grid, posts, page-builder, shortcode, layout
Requires at least: 6.0
Tested up to: 7.1
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 1.3.1
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Build unlimited custom Post, Category, and Page layouts with live preview and unique shortcodes.

== Description ==

**MKM Content Layout Studio** (developed by **Kasi Ahmer** at [mkm.fan](https://mkm.fan)) is a flexible WordPress layout and content showcase plugin that lets you create unlimited saved layout styles and place them anywhere using shortcodes such as `[mkm_style id="1"]`.

You can display a single style on a page or stack 5, 10, or 35+ different style shortcodes on the same page while keeping your active theme's native menus, header, and footer intact.

= 5 Built-In Visual Presets (Fully Customizable) =

1. **Style 1 — Topic Pill Cards:** Minimal cards with a left vertical accent border, section title, and intro description.
2. **Style 2 — Overlay Image Banner Cards:** Rounded featured image cards with a dark bottom gradient title overlay and optional Read More footer bar.
3. **Style 3 — Directory & App Icon Cards:** Compact horizontal cards with a left square thumbnail icon, category label, 5-star rating row, and date tag.
4. **Style 4 — Arcade & Magazine Thumbnail Grid:** Multi-column vertical cards with large rounded featured thumbnails and clean titles underneath.
5. **Style 5 — Hero Bento Split Showcase:** Large spotlight Hero card on the left with a `PLAY NOW` button and an asymmetric 3-column bento grid of cards on the right, with a dedicated ON/OFF toggle to show or hide the Play Icon (`▶`) inside card images across all styles.

= Key Features =

* **100% Real WordPress Data:** Queries your real published WordPress Posts, Categories, and Pages (never fake placeholder posts).
* **Play Icon (`▶`) Hide / Show (ON / OFF) Across All 5 Styles:** Dedicated ON/OFF toggle in the Saved Styles table and inside the Style Editor to show or hide the Play Icon (`▶`) inside images for any style.
* **Separate Content Pickers for Categories, Posts & Pages:** Dedicated panels to choose Categories, specific Posts, or specific Pages.
* **Prominent Post Count Control:** Choose how many posts or pages to display per style (`1` to `60`).
* **Anti-Duplicate Post Engine:** Automatically prevents the same post or page from repeating when multiple `[mkm_style]` shortcodes are used on the same page.
* **Grid & List Modes:** Switch any style between multi-column Grid mode and single-column List mode.
* **Real-Time Live Display Preview:** Modern, clean White, Light Red, and Golden admin interface with instant live preview.

== Installation ==

1. Upload the `mkm-content-layout-studio` folder to `/wp-content/plugins/` or upload `mkm-content-layout-studio.zip` via **Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin**.
2. Activate **MKM Content Layout Studio** through the **Plugins** menu in WordPress.
3. Open **MKM Content Layout Studio** in your WordPress admin sidebar.
4. Customize any of the 5 starter styles or click **+ Add New Style** to create unlimited new styles.
5. Copy any style shortcode (for example `[mkm_style id="1"]`) and paste it into any WordPress Page or Post.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Can I hide or show the Play Icon (▶) inside images on Style 5 or any other style? =
Yes. You can click the **Play Icon: ON / OFF** button directly in the Saved Styles table, or set **Play Icon (▶) Inside Images — Hide / Show** to **ON (Show)** or **OFF (Hide)** inside the Style Editor.

= Does this plugin show real posts from my site? =
Yes. MKM Content Layout Studio queries only your real published WordPress Posts, Pages, and Categories.

= Can I place multiple shortcodes on the same page without duplicate posts? =
Yes. Enable **Prevent Duplicate Posts on Same Page** in your styles and each shortcode will automatically skip posts already shown earlier on that page.

== Screenshots ==

1. Style 1 — Topic Pill Cards layout with left accent border, section title, and intro description.
2. Style 2 — Overlay Image Banner Cards with bottom gradient title overlay and Read More footer.
3. Style 3 — Directory & App Icon Cards with square left thumbnail, category label, and 5-star row.
4. Style 4 — Arcade & Magazine Thumbnail Grid with rounded featured images and titles below.
5. Style 5 — Hero Bento Split Showcase with large Hero spotlight card on the left, 3-column bento grid on the right, and Play Icon ON/OFF toggle.

== Changelog ==

= 1.3.1 =
* Renamed the plugin and updated the slug and text domain to match, as requested during the WordPress.org plugin review.
* Removed a third-party project name reference from the plugin description.

= 1.3.0 =
* Fixed `Tested up to: 7.1` header format in `readme.txt` to pass WordPress Plugin Check with zero errors.
* Removed demo/fallback post padding so Admin Live Preview and Frontend always display 100% real WordPress posts, pages, and categories only.
* Matched Style 5 Hero Bento layout to the exact asymmetric 3-column right-side image bento grid with clean rounded thumbnails and cyan/dark circular play buttons.
* Fixed Play Icon (`▶`) ON/OFF toggle synchronization in the Style Editor and Saved Styles table.

= 1.2.0 =
* Added Play Icon (`▶`) Show/Hide (ON/OFF) support across all 5 styles (`style_1` through `style_5`).

= 1.1.0 =
* Added separate content pickers for Categories, individual Posts, and individual Pages.

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial release of MKM Content Layout Studio by Kasi Ahmer (mkm.fan).

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.3.1 =
Renamed plugin with an updated slug and text domain. Recommended update.

= 1.3.0 =
Recommended update: ensures 100% real WordPress post/page data in live previews, updates Style 5 Hero Bento 3-column layout, and adds instant Play Icon ON/OFF syncing across all 5 styles.
