=== WST Date Simulator ===
Contributors: webtatsu
Tags: scheduled posts, future posts, preview, editorial workflow, content
Requires at least: 7.0
Tested up to: 7.1
Requires PHP: 8.2
Stable tag: 1.0.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

See scheduled posts appear on your homepage, archives, and search results before they go live — not just the single post itself.

== Description ==

WordPress already lets you preview a single scheduled post through the editor's Preview button. But that only shows the post on its own — it doesn't tell you how your homepage, category archives, search results, or "Recent Posts" widgets will look once the post actually goes live.

WST Date Simulator fills that gap. Set a base date and time, and scheduled posts up to that point are shown as published — anywhere your theme normally lists them — to logged-in users with a chosen permission level. No more guessing what the page will look like until after it's published.

= Key features =

* Set a base date and time; scheduled posts up to that point are shown as published
* Choose who can view the preview: Administrators only, Editors and above, or Authors and above
* Choose which post types the preview applies to (posts, pages, and custom post types are all supported)
* Automatically disables page caching while previewing, so cached scheduled content is never served to regular visitors
* Shows a banner in both wp-admin and the front end while the preview is active
* REST API requests are excluded, to avoid unintentional exposure through headless setups

= About permissions =

* Viewing the preview and changing the plugin's settings each use a separate permission check
* Changing the settings always requires an Administrator (manage_options)
* Who can view the preview is configurable from the settings screen: Administrators only, Editors and above, or Authors and above

== Installation ==

1. Upload the plugin files to `/wp-content/plugins/wst-date-simulator`, or install the plugin through the "Plugins > Add New" screen in WordPress.
2. Activate the plugin through the "Plugins" screen.
3. Go to the "Date Simulator" menu in wp-admin to set the base date/time, preview permission, and target post types.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= How is this different from the WordPress core Preview button? =

The core Preview button only shows a single scheduled post on its own page. WST Date Simulator shows scheduled posts everywhere your theme normally lists them — homepage, archives, search results, widgets — not just the post itself.

= Can anyone see the preview? =

No. Only logged-in users who have the permission level chosen in the settings (Editors and above, by default) can see it.

= Does this change the actual post data? =

No. The post status in the database is never modified. It is only treated as "published" in memory while it's being displayed; the real status stays `future` (WordPress's internal name for "scheduled").

= Does it work with pages and custom post types? =

Yes. The "Target post types" setting lets you choose which post types the preview applies to, individually.

== Screenshots ==

1. Settings screen (base date/time, preview permission, target post types)
2. The front-end banner shown while the preview is active

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial release

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.0.0 =
Initial release.
