=== WPCodeForge Comment Suite ===
Contributors: wpcodeforge
Tags: comments, comment management, comment spam, spam protection, comment cleanup
Requires at least: 6.4
Tested up to: 7.1
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 2.0.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

A comprehensive local WordPress comment-management suite for comment control, spam protection, moderation, cleanup and engagement.

== Description ==

WPCodeForge Comment Suite centralises common WordPress comment-management tasks in one administration area.

The free edition provides local tools for controlling comments, reducing automated spam, moderating selected comments, cleaning unwanted comments and optionally adding comment voting.

No external anti-spam service is required for the core features.

== Features ==

* Disable comments globally or by public post type.
* Require visitors to log in before commenting.
* Automatically close comments after a configurable number of days.
* Disable comment feeds.
* Disable pingbacks and outgoing pingbacks.
* Optionally remove REST API comment endpoints.
* Optionally disable XML-RPC comment submissions.
* Honeypot anti-bot protection.
* Minimum submission time protection.
* Maximum URL limits.
* Minimum and maximum comment length.
* Blocked words and phrases.
* Blocked email domains.
* Duplicate comment detection.
* Hold comments containing links for moderation.
* Hold first-time commenters for moderation.
* Scheduled spam cleanup.
* Remove the Website field.
* Render comment links as non-clickable output.
* Optional upvote and downvote controls.
* Optional anonymous voting.
* Comment cleanup filters.
* Settings export.
* Settings reset.
* Centralised administration interface.

== Get Pro ==

Comment Suite Pro is available for websites that need additional moderation, automation, reporting and management capabilities.

Learn more:

https://wpcodeforge.com/comment-suite-pro/

The free plugin remains functional without purchasing or activating the Pro edition.

== Privacy ==

The core functionality of WPCodeForge Comment Suite operates locally within WordPress.

The free plugin does not transmit comment content to WPCodeForge as part of its standard comment-management functionality.

When anonymous voting is enabled, a randomly generated browser cookie is used to help prevent repeated votes. The associated random identifier may be stored with the relevant comment as voting metadata.

Administrators are responsible for configuring the plugin consistently with their own privacy and legal requirements.

== Installation ==

1. Upload the plugin ZIP through Plugins > Add New Plugin > Upload Plugin.
2. Install and activate WPCodeForge Comment Suite.
3. Open Comment Suite in the WordPress administration menu.
4. Review Protection, Engagement and Settings.
5. Save the configuration appropriate for your website.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Does the plugin require a third-party spam service? =

No. The included anti-spam protections operate locally.

= Does disabling comments delete existing comments? =

No. Existing comments remain until deliberately removed through WordPress or the Cleanup tools.

= Can comments be closed automatically after a period of time? =

Yes. Configure Automatically close comments under Comment Protection. Set the value to 0 to disable this rule.

= Can I require users to log in before commenting? =

Yes. Enable Require logged-in visitors.

= Can I automatically moderate first-time commenters? =

Yes. Enable Hold first-time commenters.

= Can I automatically delete spam? =

Yes. Enable Automatically delete spam. A daily scheduled task deletes up to 500 spam comments per run.

= Can I export my settings? =

Yes. The Settings screen includes an Export settings tool that downloads the current configuration as JSON.

= Where is the Pro version? =

Use the Get Pro section inside Comment Suite or visit https://wpcodeforge.com/comment-suite-pro/.

== Changelog ==

= 2.0.0 =

* Rebuilt the administration interface around one central Comment Suite menu.
* Added a complete Dashboard overview.
* Added branded local administration artwork.
* Added automatic comment closing by post age.
* Added logged-in-only commenting.
* Added minimum and maximum comment-length controls.
* Added blocked email-domain controls.
* Added first-time commenter moderation.
* Added link moderation.
* Added settings export.
* Added settings reset.
* Added dashboard Pro upgrade panel.
* Added Get Pro administration page.
* Added plugin-list Get Pro link.
* Improved sanitisation and validation.
* Improved responsive administration styling.
* Improved accessibility of settings controls.
* Improved scheduled spam-cleanup handling.
* Added source-code attribution for James William Steven Parker.
* Updated documentation and translation template.

= 1.2.0 =

* Expanded administration interface.
* Added additional comment protection and moderation controls.
* Added Pro upgrade functionality.
* Improved administration styling.

= 1.1.0 =

* Added comment voting.
* Added anonymous voting.
* Added comment cleanup.
* Added scheduled spam cleanup.
* Added REST API and XML-RPC comment controls.
* Added comment feed and pingback controls.

= 1.0.0 =

* Initial release.

== Support ==

Website: https://wpcodeforge.com/

Comment Suite Pro: https://wpcodeforge.com/comment-suite-pro/

== License ==

WPCodeForge Comment Suite is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2 or later.

== Credits ==

Creator, Founder and Developer: James William Steven Parker.
