=== Badwolf Web IRC Client - Version History ===


Complete version history and release notes for all versions.


================================================================================
VERSION 5.2.0 - January 18, 2026

Release Type: Major Update
Status: Stable
WordPress Compatibility: 5.0 - 6.9
PHP Requirement: 7.4+


--- Summary ---


Critical update addressing WordPress 6.9 compatibility issues and WebSocket
connection stability. This release fixes script loading problems introduced
by WordPress 6.9's changes to the global $post object handling, and resolves
binary WebSocket data handling that caused connection drops.


--- Major Changes ---


WordPress 6.9 Compatibility:
• Fixed script enqueueing system to work with WordPress 6.9
• Implemented multi-method shortcode detection
• Added support for block themes and Full Site Editing (FSE)
• Fixed wp_localize_script() timing issue
• Added fallback script loading in shortcode handler


WebSocket Improvements:
• Added IRC WebSocket subprotocol support (['irc', 'binary.ircv3.net'])
• Fixed binary WebSocket data handling (Blob to text conversion)
• Resolved connection drops caused by data type mismatches
• Improved WebSocket error logging and diagnostics


User Interface:
• Added Settings link to plugin list page
• Improved error messages and status indicators
• Enhanced connection state management


--- Bug Fixes ---

• Fixed: Plugin not loading scripts in WordPress 6.9
• Fixed: Configuration not being passed to JavaScript
• Fixed: WebSocket closing with error code 1006
• Fixed: "data.trim is not a function" error
• Fixed: Scripts not loading on archive pages
• Fixed: Shortcode detection failing with block themes


--- Technical Details ---

• Rewrote enqueue_scripts() method with three-tier detection
• Added FileReader API for binary WebSocket message handling
• Implemented plugin_action_links filter for settings link
• Enhanced script registration workflow
• Added comprehensive error handling


--- Files Changed ---

• badwolf-web-irc-client.php - Core plugin file
• assets/web-irc.js - JavaScript client
• docs/CHANGELOG.txt - Updated changelog
• docs/CONFIGURATION.txt - Updated configuration guide
• docs/INSTALLATION.txt - Updated installation guide
• docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.txt - New troubleshooting guide
• docs/VERSION-HISTORY.txt - This file


--- Upgrade Path ---


From 5.1.x:
1. Backup current plugin files
2. Replace plugin files with 5.2.0 version
3. Clear all caches (WordPress, browser, server)
4. Verify SSL certificates are valid
5. Test connection


From 5.0.x or earlier:
1. Review CONFIGURATION.txt for new settings
2. Follow upgrade path from 5.1.x above
3. Update UnrealIRCd configuration if needed


--- Known Issues ---


  None at this time.


--- Credits ---

• Lead Developer: Martin Cooper (badwolf72)
• Testing: Community contributors
• Bug Reports: WordPress.org support forum users


================================================================================
VERSION 5.1.1 - December 2025

Release Type: Maintenance Release
Status: Stable (Superseded by 5.2.0)
WordPress Compatibility: 5.0 - 6.8
PHP Requirement: 7.4+


--- Summary ---


Maintenance release with bug fixes and minor improvements. Last version
before WordPress 6.9 compatibility issues were discovered.


--- Changes ---

• Improved error handling in WebSocket connection
• Enhanced reconnection logic
• Fixed minor CSS issues
• Updated documentation
• Performance optimizations


--- Bug Fixes ---

• Fixed: Reconnection attempts not resetting properly
• Fixed: User list not updating in some cases
• Fixed: Theme switching issues
• Fixed: Message history overflow


--- Known Issues ---

• Not compatible with WordPress 6.9 (fixed in 5.2.0)
• Binary WebSocket data causes crashes (fixed in 5.2.0)


================================================================================
VERSION 5.1.0 - November 2025

Release Type: Feature Release
Status: Stable (Superseded by 5.2.0)
WordPress Compatibility: 5.0 - 6.8
PHP Requirement: 7.4+


--- Summary ---


Major feature release adding private messaging, desktop notifications,
and enhanced user interface with tabbed windows.


--- New Features ---


Private Messaging:
• Click username to open private message window
• Multiple PM windows with tabs
• Unread message badges
• Desktop notifications for PMs


User Interface:
• Tabbed interface for channels and PMs
• Context menus for users
• Improved message display
• Better mobile responsiveness


Notifications:
• Desktop notifications for mentions
• Desktop notifications for private messages
• Configurable notification timeout
• Browser notification permission handling


--- Improvements ---

• Enhanced user list with click handlers
• Better message formatting
• Improved error messages
• Enhanced reconnection logic
• Better theme support


--- Technical Changes ---

• Refactored message handling
• Added tab management system
• Implemented notification API
• Enhanced DOM manipulation
• Improved event handling


================================================================================
VERSION 5.0.0 - October 2025

Release Type: Major Release
Status: Stable (Superseded by 5.2.0)
WordPress Compatibility: 5.0 - 6.8
PHP Requirement: 7.4+


--- Summary ---


Initial public release of Badwolf Web IRC Client. Complete rewrite of
previous versions with modern WebSocket implementation and WordPress
integration.


--- Features ---


Core Functionality:
• WebSocket IRC client
• Real-time messaging
• User list
• Channel support
• IRC commands (/nick, /join, /part, /msg, /me)


WordPress Integration:
• Shortcode support
• Admin settings page
• Theme customization
• Auto-connect option


User Interface:
• Clean, modern design
• Light and dark themes
• Responsive layout
• Message history
• Command history (arrow keys)


Connection Management:
• Auto-reconnection
• Exponential backoff
• Connection status indicators
• Error handling


--- Technical Implementation ---

• Pure JavaScript (no jQuery dependency)
• WebSocket API
• WordPress Plugin API
• Secure WebSocket (wss://)
• UnrealIRCd compatibility


--- Requirements ---

• WordPress 5.0+
• PHP 7.4+
• UnrealIRCd 6.0+ with WebSocket support
• Valid SSL certificate


================================================================================
VERSION 4.x - Legacy Versions

Pre-release versions (not publicly available)
Development and testing versions
Not recommended for production use


================================================================================
VERSION 3.x - Legacy Versions

Early development versions
Basic IRC functionality
No WebSocket support
Deprecated


================================================================================
VERSION 2.x - Legacy Versions

Prototype versions
Limited functionality
Not released publicly
Deprecated


================================================================================
VERSION 1.x - Legacy Versions

Initial concept and proof of concept
Internal testing only
Never released
Deprecated


================================================================================


SUPPORT AND RESOURCES


GitHub Repository:
  https://github.com/badwolf1972/web-irc-client


WordPress Plugin Page:
  https://wordpress.org/plugins/badwolf-web-irc-client/


Support Forum:
  https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/badwolf-web-irc-client/


Documentation:
  See docs/ folder in plugin directory


Author Website:
  https://www.oo3dmodels.com


================================================================================


DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP


Planned Features (Future Versions):


Version 5.3.0 (Planned):
• File sharing support
• Image preview in chat
• Emoji support
• Custom themes
• User profiles


Version 5.4.0 (Planned):
• Voice chat integration
• Video chat support
• Screen sharing
• Advanced moderation tools


Version 6.0.0 (Planned):
• Complete UI redesign
• Mobile app integration
• Advanced analytics
• Multi-server support
• Federation support


Community Requests:
• IRC bouncer integration
• Custom commands
• Bot integration
• Logging and search
• Channel management tools


Submit feature requests:
  https://github.com/badwolf1972/web-irc-client/issues


================================================================================


DEPRECATION NOTICES


Deprecated Features:
• None at this time


Planned Deprecations:
• None at this time


Removed Features:
• None at this time


================================================================================


LICENSE INFORMATION


License: GPL v2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html


This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
(at your option) any later version.


This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
GNU General Public License for more details.


================================================================================


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS


Special Thanks:
• UnrealIRCd team for excellent IRC server software
• WordPress community for support and feedback
• Beta testers and early adopters
• Contributors and bug reporters


Third-Party Libraries:
• None (pure JavaScript implementation)


Inspiration:
• Classic IRC clients (mIRC, HexChat, etc.)
• Modern web chat applications
• WebSocket technology


================================================================================


CONTACT INFORMATION


Author: Martin Cooper (badwolf72)
Email: mtaylor141273@gmail.com
Website: https://www.oo3dmodels.com
GitHub: https://github.com/badwolf1972


For support, please use:
• GitHub Issues (preferred)
• WordPress Support Forum
• Email (for private matters only)


================================================================================


End of Version History
Last Updated: January 18, 2026
Document Version: 5.2.0
