=== KindPixels Next Event Countdown ===
Contributors: kindpixels
Plugin URI: https://kindpixels.com/plugins/next-event-countdown/
Donate link: https://kindpixels.com/donate
Tags: countdown, timer, event, recurring, schedule
Requires at least: 5.8
Tested up to: 7.0
Stable tag: 1.2.5
Requires PHP: 7.4
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

A beautiful countdown widget that automatically shows the next upcoming event, including recurring and one-time events.

== Description ==

**Stop manually updating countdown timers.** Next Event Countdown automatically cycles through your events and always displays the one coming up next. Set it once, and it runs forever.

Whether you run a gym, a church, a school, a co-working space, a community center, or a weekly meetup — if you have events that repeat, this plugin keeps your visitors informed without any manual work.

= Real-World Examples =

* **Fitness studios** — show the next class: yoga at 6 AM → spinning at noon → HIIT at 5 PM.
* **Churches** — Sunday service ends → midweek Bible study → Friday youth group → back to Sunday.
* **Schools & universities** — next open day, parent-teacher conference, or semester start.
* **Restaurants & bars** — happy hour countdown, trivia night, live music events.
* **Co-working spaces** — networking events, workshops, community lunches.
* **Online communities** — weekly webinars, AMAs, or live streams.

= Why Next Event Countdown? =

Most countdown plugins make you pick a single date. When the event passes, the timer hits zero and stays there. Next Event Countdown is different — it knows your full schedule and always counts down to whatever's next.

No manual updates. No expired timers. Just a clean, live countdown that's always right.

= Key Features =

* **Recurring Events** – Define one-time or weekly recurring events. The widget always shows the nearest one.
* **Multiple Counter Styles** – From minimal to bold LED, elegant serif, radial progress, and more.
* **Live Ticking** – Real-time countdown updates every second.
* **Fully Customizable** – Colors, labels, fonts, and icons — all configurable from the admin panel.
* **Responsive** – Looks great on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
* **Lightweight** – No bloat, no external dependencies. A single optimized bundle that won't slow your site down.
* **Shortcode Embed** – Drop `[nxevtcd_countdown name="my-counter"]` anywhere.

= Free vs Pro =

**Free version includes:**
* 1 counter with unlimited events
* 1 countdown style
* Full color and label customization
* Recurring and one-time events
* Multiple date formats and timezone support

**Pro version adds:**
* Unlimited counters
* 5+ premium countdown styles (LED Dots, Radial Progress, Gradient Glass, Card Blocks, Elegant Serif)
* Multiple locations / venues within the same website
* Priority support

For a full comparison, visit [kindpixels.com/plugins/kindpixels-next-event-countdown-pro](https://kindpixels.com/plugins/kindpixels-next-event-countdown-pro).

== Installation ==

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to **Plugins → Add New**, search for **KindPixels Next Event Countdown**, then click **Install Now** and **Activate**.
2. Alternatively, upload the `kindpixels-next-event-countdown` folder to `/wp-content/plugins/` via FTP, then activate it from the Plugins menu.
3. Go to **KindPixels Next Event Countdown** in your admin sidebar to set up your first counter.
4. Add your events (e.g., Sunday Service at 10:00 AM, Wednesday Study at 7:00 PM).
5. Copy the shortcode `[nxevtcd_countdown name="my-counter"]` and paste it into any page, post, or widget area.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= How does it know which event to show? =

The plugin compares all your events against the current date and time, and automatically displays the one happening soonest. When that event passes, it moves to the next one — no action required.

= Can I have multiple countdowns on different pages? =

Yes, with the Pro version. Each counter gets its own shortcode, events, and style — allowing you to show different countdowns for different locations within the same website. The free version supports one counter.

= Does it work with page builders? =

Yes. The shortcode `[nxevtcd_countdown name="my-counter"]` works in Gutenberg, Elementor, WPBakery, Divi, and any builder that supports shortcodes.

= Will it slow down my site? =

No. The entire front-end is a single optimized bundle with zero external dependencies. No extra HTTP requests, no bloat.

= What if I have more questions? =

Check the Documentation tab inside the plugin, or visit [kindpixels.com/support](https://kindpixels.com/support).

== Screenshots ==

1. Admin dashboard — manage events and customize your counter.
2. Multiple countdown styles available in Pro.
3. Live countdown widget on the front end.

== Changelog ==

= 1.2.5 =
* Bug fixes

= 1.2.4 =
* Compatibility: Tested with WordPress 7.0
* Fixed: Smoother updating process.
* Bug fixes

= 1.2.3 =
* Improved: Outside admin notices are hidden on the plugin screen
* Improved: Counters automatically shrink to fit on mobile
* Fixed: Pro counter styles occasionally loading as the default style

= 1.2.2 =
* Improved: Comparison tables, support links and typography
* Bug fixes

= 1.2.1 =
* New: Loading Bar counter style (Pro)

= 1.2.0 =
* New: Calendar Import (Pro) – import and sync events from ICS feeds (Google Calendar, Outlook, Apple Calendar, Microsoft 365)
* New: "Make recurring" action for special events
* Improved: Style refinements for Elegant Serif, Radial Progress and Bold Stack (Pro)

= 1.1.5 =
* Fixed Freemius wp.org compliance (is_premium set to false for free version)
* Replaced all inline script/style tags with proper wp_enqueue and wp_add_inline_script/style
* Improved mobile responsiveness — countdown digits now scale fluidly and no longer clip on small screens
* Bug fixes

= 1.1.3 =
* Improved mobile responsiveness — countdown no longer clips on small screens
* Fixed counter size setting persistence in frontend
* Removed extra blank space below the countdown widget
* Improved time input fields with validation highlighting
* Bug fixes

= 1.1.2 =
* Improved update resilience — events and settings are fully preserved during plugin updates
* Bug fixes

= 1.1.1 =
* Fixed shortcode frontend rendering — countdown widget now displays correctly on pages and posts
* Improved default style alignment consistency between admin preview and frontend
* Added "Live Event Countdown" toggle — show remaining event duration instead of 00:00:00
* Bug fixes and visual refinements

= 1.1.0 =
* Added multi-language support with 21 languages for all countdown labels, day names, and month names
* Reorganized Other Settings into grouped sections (Layout, Regional, Visibility, Frame & Shape)
* Added customizable day-of-week and month name labels
* Added date connector word customization for localized date formats

= 1.0.9 =
* Updated plugin documentation
* Minor copy improvements

= 1.0.8 =
* Bug fixes

= 1.0.7 =
* Refined Freemius checkout workflow for Pro upgrades
* Minor UI tweaks

= 1.0.6 =
* Counter style refinements across all premium styles
* Bug fixes

= 1.0.5 =
* Added premium counter styles (LED Dots, Radial Progress, Gradient Glass, Card Blocks, Elegant Serif)
* Pro/Free comparison table
* Freemius licensing integration

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial release

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.2.5 =
Fixes clipped page-builder demos and improves Pro update detection. Install this release manually if an older Pro installation does not offer updates.

= 1.2.4 =
WordPress 7.0 compatibility and reliable Pro updates from the Plugins screen.

= 1.1.0 =
Multi-language support and improved settings organization.

= 1.0.8 =
Bug fixes.

= 1.0.7 =
Checkout and upgrade links now point to the correct Freemius plan.

= 1.0.5 =
New premium counter styles and Pro upgrade path.

== Additional Information ==

= Using the Shortcode =

Each counter has a unique shortcode. Copy it from the admin panel and paste it into any page or post:

`[nxevtcd_countdown name="my-counter"]`

All display settings are configured in the plugin dashboard — no shortcode parameters needed beyond the name.

= Source Code =

The full source code is available on GitHub:
https://github.com/boshorog/kindpixels-next-event-countdown

= Support =

For questions or issues, visit [kindpixels.com/support](https://kindpixels.com/support) or use the WordPress.org support forum.

= Privacy =

This plugin does not collect personal data. All event data is stored locally in your WordPress database.
