=== StepraEngine Lite ===
Contributors: stepraengine
Tags: multi step form, form wizard, contact form 7, wpforms, forminator
Requires at least: 5.8
Tested up to: 7.0
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 1.1.2
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Create responsive multi-step forms for Contact Form 7, WPForms, Forminator, and Elementor Forms without rebuilding your forms.

== Description ==

StepraEngine Lite turns long WordPress forms into clean, responsive multi-step forms.

It works with your existing form builder and adds step navigation, progress styles, Next and Previous buttons, and required-field validation. Your original form plugin still controls fields, submissions, email notifications, entries, spam protection, and integrations.

StepraEngine improves the frontend form experience without replacing your form builder.

= Supported Form Builders =

StepraEngine Lite supports:

* Contact Form 7
* WPForms standard forms
* Forminator
* Elementor Forms

= Why Use StepraEngine Lite? =

Long forms can feel hard to complete, especially on mobile. StepraEngine helps by splitting the form into smaller steps so visitors move through one section at a time.

You can use StepraEngine Lite for:

* Contact forms
* Quote request forms
* Booking request forms
* Lead capture forms
* Onboarding forms
* Survey forms
* Service request forms
* Form wizard layouts

= No Form Rebuilding =

StepraEngine does not make you rebuild your forms inside a new system.

You keep using Contact Form 7, WPForms, Forminator, or Elementor Forms. StepraEngine adds the step layout around the form that already exists on your site.

= Automatic and Manual Step Splitting =

StepraEngine Lite supports automatic and manual step splitting.

Automatic splitting lets StepraEngine divide supported long forms into steps.

Manual splitting lets you control where steps begin:

* Contact Form 7: use H3 or H4 headings in the form template.
* Elementor Forms: use HTML fields containing H3 or H4 headings.
* Forminator: use Section fields.
* WPForms: StepraEngine uses WPForms field containers for automatic splitting.

You can also enable Strict H3 mode if you want only H3 headings to create manual step breaks.

= Progress Styles =

StepraEngine Lite includes two progress styles:

* Bar progress
* Numbered progress

With numbered progress, visitors can click completed previous steps to go back. Future steps stay locked so visitors cannot skip required validation.

= Validation and User Experience =

StepraEngine checks the current step before allowing visitors to continue.

Validation helpers include:

* Required fields
* Email format
* URL fields requiring http:// or https://
* Phone number format
* Postal code format
* Date year range

If the original form plugin returns a validation error after submission, StepraEngine can return the visitor to the step containing the invalid field when supported by that builder.

= Mobile-Friendly Multi-Step Forms =

StepraEngine Lite is designed for responsive form flows. It helps long forms feel cleaner on desktop, tablet, and mobile by showing one step at a time.

The final design still depends on your theme and form builder styling.

= Compatibility Notes =

StepraEngine Lite does not replace your form builder. Your original form plugin remains responsible for fields, entries, email notifications, spam protection, integrations, and final submission.

If your form already uses native multi-step, pagination, or another multi-step add-on on the same form, StepraEngine may pause on that form to help prevent layout and validation conflicts.

To use StepraEngine Lite on a form, disable the form builder’s native multi-step or pagination feature for that form.

Advanced payment fields, conditional logic, third-party add-ons, or heavily customized form templates may require additional compatibility testing.

StepraEngine Lite does not include WooCommerce checkout steps or review summaries. Those are Pro features.

== Installation ==

1. Install and activate StepraEngine Lite.
2. Build your form normally in Contact Form 7, WPForms, Forminator, or Elementor Forms.
3. Add headings or sections if you want manual step control.
4. Add the form to a page.
5. Open StepraEngine settings.
6. Choose your progress style, colors, button labels, validation language, and heading behavior.
7. Test the form on desktop and mobile.

Lite supports up to 3 steps.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Do I need to rebuild my form? =

No. StepraEngine works with your existing form builder. You keep your form, fields, notifications, and integrations.

= Which form builders are supported? =

StepraEngine Lite supports Contact Form 7, WPForms standard forms, Forminator, and Elementor Forms.

= How many steps are available in Lite? =

StepraEngine Lite supports up to 3 steps.

= What progress styles are available? =

Lite includes bar progress and numbered progress.

= Can visitors click numbered progress steps? =

Visitors can click completed previous steps to go back. Future steps stay locked until validation is passed.

= What happens if I do not add headings or sections? =

StepraEngine can automatically split supported long forms when manual headings or sections are not used.

= How do I manually control steps in Contact Form 7? =

Add H3 or H4 headings inside the Contact Form 7 form template where each step should begin.

= How do I manually control steps in Elementor Forms? =

Add Elementor HTML fields containing H3 or H4 headings where each step should begin.

= How do I manually control steps in Forminator? =

Use Forminator Section fields to define step breaks.

= How does step control work in WPForms? =

StepraEngine Lite uses WPForms field containers for automatic splitting. If WPForms native multi-page fields are detected, StepraEngine pauses on that form to avoid conflicts.

= Does StepraEngine preserve my form design? =

Yes. Your theme and form builder continue controlling field styling, spacing, labels, typography, and layout. StepraEngine adds progress, navigation, validation flow, and step visibility.

= Does StepraEngine Lite work on mobile? =

Yes. StepraEngine Lite is designed to create mobile-friendly multi-step form flows. The final appearance can still depend on your theme and form builder styling.

= Does StepraEngine submit the form itself? =

No. The original form builder still handles final submission.

= What if my form already has multi-step or pagination enabled? =

Disable the form builder’s native multi-step or pagination for that form before using StepraEngine. StepraEngine may pause when it detects a conflict.

= Does Lite support WooCommerce checkout? =

No. WooCommerce checkout steps are a Pro feature.

= Does Lite include review summaries? =

No. Review summaries are a Pro feature.

= Where can I get support? =

Lite users can use the WordPress.org support forum.

== Screenshots ==

1. StepraEngine admin overview.
2. Responsive frontend multi-step progress bar and navigation.
3. Contact Form 7 heading-based split.
4. Forminator section-based split.
5. Elementor Forms heading-based split using HTML fields.
6. Settings for colors, labels, validation language, heading behavior, and progress style.
7. Upgrade information.

== Changelog ==

= 1.1.2 =
* Updated the Freemius SDK to version 2.13.2.
* Improved readme wording for clearer plugin description and form-builder setup guidance.


= 1.1.1 =

* Improved Lite upgrade flow to connect users with the StepraEngine Pro checkout.
* Refined upgrade screen messaging and pricing presentation.
