=== Video Dashboard ===
Contributors: brianjohnsondesign
Donate link: https://pagecrafter.com/donate/
Tags: video, dashboard, training, youtube, vimeo
Requires at least: 5.8
Tested up to: 7.1
Requires PHP: 7.2
Stable tag: 2.0.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Create a video training and resource library directly inside the WordPress dashboard.

== Description ==

Video Dashboard lets you place training videos, tutorials, onboarding resources, and other embeddable video content directly in the WordPress admin dashboard so users can find help without leaving the site.

Add videos from a simple settings page, arrange them with drag-and-drop, and optionally add a custom title and description to each one. Video Dashboard automatically retrieves video titles, providers, and thumbnails when available, making it easy to identify and manage your videos.

You can also choose the minimum standard WordPress role that is allowed to see the dashboard video widget.

Video Dashboard is especially useful for agencies, developers, site owners, and anyone who wants to give WordPress users an easy-to-find library of site-specific instructions or training material.

= Features =

* Add as many videos as you need without selecting a fixed number of fields first.
* Drag and drop videos to change their order.
* Optional custom titles and descriptions for each video.
* Automatic title, provider, and thumbnail previews when available.
* Choose the minimum WordPress user role that can see the dashboard videos.
* Support for common YouTube URL formats, including standard links, share links, Shorts, embed URLs, live URLs, and URLs with additional parameters.
* Direct support for Vimeo, Wistia, and Vidyard.
* Support for additional providers through WordPress oEmbed when available.
* Raw 11-character YouTube IDs remain supported for backward compatibility.
* Existing settings from older Video Dashboard versions are migrated automatically without changing the original stored values.
* Legacy parsing remains available as a fallback for older configurations.
* Helpful admin messages distinguish between an unavailable preview and a video that a supported provider confirms no longer exists.

= Designed for Client Training =

Video Dashboard can be used as a simple training center inside WordPress. Agencies and developers can add site-specific tutorials for tasks such as editing pages, managing products, reviewing form entries, publishing posts, or performing other common website updates.

Because the videos appear directly on the WordPress Dashboard, users do not need to search through old emails, documentation, or external training portals to find help.

= Backward Compatibility =

Version 2.0 was designed to preserve existing installations.

Legacy numbered video fields are copied into the new sortable video list exactly as they were stored. The original legacy settings are left in the database as a recovery path, and the plugin retains its older parsing behavior as a fallback when the modern resolver cannot identify an existing value.

Existing raw YouTube IDs and previously supported YouTube and Vimeo URLs remain supported.

== Installation ==

1. Upload the `video-dashboard` folder to `/wp-content/plugins/`, or install the ZIP through Plugins -> Add Plugin.
2. Activate Video Dashboard.
3. Click **Settings** under Video Dashboard on the Plugins screen, or go to Settings -> Video Dashboard.
4. Add your video URLs and, if desired, custom titles and descriptions.
5. Drag videos into the order you want them displayed.
6. Choose the minimum role that should be able to see the videos.
7. Save your changes and visit Dashboard -> Home to view the video widget.

== Screenshots ==

1. The Video Dashboard settings page, including video previews, custom titles and descriptions, drag-and-drop ordering, and Add/Remove controls.
2. Videos displayed directly inside the WordPress Dashboard.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= What video providers are supported? =

Video Dashboard directly handles common URL formats from YouTube, Vimeo, Wistia, and Vidyard. It also asks WordPress to resolve other supported oEmbed providers, so additional services may work automatically.

= Do I need to enter a YouTube video ID? =

No. New configurations should normally use the full video URL.

Raw 11-character YouTube IDs are still accepted for backward compatibility with older Video Dashboard installations.

= What YouTube URL formats are supported? =

Common YouTube formats are supported, including standard `watch?v=` links, `youtu.be` share links, embed URLs, Shorts URLs, live URLs, and URLs with additional query parameters.

Existing raw YouTube IDs also continue to work.

= Will upgrading from an older version remove or change my existing videos? =

No. Version 2.0 copies the old numbered video fields into the new video list without changing the original stored values.

The old settings are intentionally retained as a recovery path, and the plugin also preserves its legacy parsing behavior as a fallback.

= What happens if an old video value uses an unusual format? =

The plugin first tries its current video resolver. If that fails, it falls back to the parsing behavior used by older Video Dashboard versions so previously working configurations have the best chance of continuing to work.

= Can I change the order of the videos? =

Yes. Drag videos by the handle on the left side of each row and save your changes.

= Can I add a title or instructions above a video? =

Yes. Each video can have an optional custom title and description. Leave either field blank if you do not want it displayed.

= Who can see the videos? =

You can select a minimum standard WordPress role from Subscriber through Administrator. Users at or above that level can see the dashboard widget, and administrators can always see it.

= Why does a video sometimes say that no preview is available? =

A preview requires the provider to return usable metadata such as a title or thumbnail.

A preview failure does not necessarily mean the video itself cannot be embedded, so Video Dashboard will still attempt to display it on the dashboard.

= What does "Video not found" mean? =

For providers where Video Dashboard can verify the response, this message means the provider returned a response indicating that the video is missing or no longer available.

This is intentionally different from a simple preview failure.

= Can I use this for client training videos? =

Yes. That is one of the main use cases for Video Dashboard.

Agencies and developers can create a site-specific training library directly inside WordPress so clients have instructions available where they work.

= Does Video Dashboard modify or delete my old settings during an upgrade? =

No. Version 2.0 retains the legacy settings in the WordPress database rather than deleting them during migration.

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 2.0.0 =

Version 2.0 introduces a redesigned video management interface with drag-and-drop ordering, video previews, optional titles and descriptions, broader provider support, and improved URL handling. Existing video values are migrated automatically and legacy settings are retained for backward compatibility.

== Changelog ==

= 2.0.0 =
* Redesigned the Video Dashboard settings interface.
* Replaced the fixed video-count selector with dynamic Add and Remove controls.
* Added drag-and-drop video ordering.
* Added optional custom titles and descriptions.
* Added automatic video title, provider, and thumbnail previews when available.
* Expanded support for modern YouTube URL formats.
* Added direct Vimeo, Wistia, and Vidyard support.
* Added support for additional providers through WordPress oEmbed.
* Added clearer handling for unavailable previews and confirmed missing videos.
* Preserved raw YouTube ID support and legacy parsing behavior.
* Added automatic migration of existing numbered video settings without changing the original stored values.
* Retained legacy settings in the database as a recovery path.
* Improved dashboard video styling and spacing.
* Added Settings and View Videos links to the Plugins screen.
* Added new Video Dashboard icon and banner artwork.
* Expanded plugin documentation, installation instructions, and FAQs.
* Modernized settings sanitization, escaping, admin scripts, and styles.

= 1.2.1.1 =
* Removed extra folder within the plugin structure.

= 1.2.1 =
* No functional changes.

= 1.2.0 =
* Tested on WordPress 4.8.3.

= 1.1.1 =
* Added Vimeo support.
* Changed dashboard widget title from "YouTube Videos" to "Videos".
* Improved invalid-video error wording.

= 1.1 =
* Fixed PHP notices for video URLs upon plugin initialization.
* Fixed blank video fields displaying as broken videos.

= 1.0 =
* Initial release.
