=== Yatoon Appointment Booking for Salons & Spas with AI Assistant ===
Contributors: yatoon
Tags: booking, appointments, salon, spa, nail salon
Requires at least: 5.8
Tested up to: 7.0
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 3.3.16
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
Demo: https://yatoon.com/bookingdemo/

AI-ready booking built by a salon owner, for salon owners. Beautiful, mobile-first, WordPress 7.0 AI Client compatible, and ready in minutes.

== Description ==
= Official source, copyright, and support =

Yatoon Appointment Booking for Salons & Spas with AI Assistant is an official Yatoon plugin. Official downloads, updates, licensing, and support are provided through https://yatoon.com.

Live demo: https://yatoon.com/bookingdemo/

The plugin code is distributed under the GPLv2 or later, as required for WordPress-compatible distribution. Copyright notices, author attribution, and the Yatoon brand identity must be preserved. Modified or forked versions must not claim to be the official Yatoon release, use Yatoon branding in a misleading way, or imply official support unless authorized by Yatoon.

For the safest installation, download Yatoon only from the official source and avoid unsupported redistributed copies.

**Built by a salon owner who got tired of generic booking plugins.**

After trying plugin after plugin designed for dentists or yoga studios, we gave up and built our own. Yatoon is the booking system we wish existed when we opened our salon - and now we're sharing it with every beauty business owner who's been through the same frustration.

No complicated setup. No $50/month SaaS fees. No features you'll never use. Just a beautiful, fast booking experience your clients will love.

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= WordPress 7.0 AI-ready booking =

Yatoon 3.0 is built to work with the WordPress 7.0 AI Client when an AI provider is connected in WordPress Settings > Connectors. This makes Yatoon an early AI-ready salon booking plugin for WordPress 7.0 while staying fully compatible with WordPress 6.9 and older: if AI is not available, the normal booking flow keeps working and AI actions show clear availability guidance.

* **AI service helper** - clients describe what they want and AI suggests clickable matching services from your real service menu
* **AI service description helper** - salon owners can improve service descriptions from the Services editor so customers and AI have clearer details
* **No plugin-owned AI billing** - AI provider/API keys are managed by WordPress Connectors; usage costs depend on the site owner's chosen AI provider
* **Provider fallback** - when multiple providers are connected, Yatoon prefers OpenAI/GPT first, then Google/Gemini, then Anthropic/Claude
* **Safety-first prompts** - AI is instructed not to invent prices, appointment times, medical advice, refunds, or policies
* **Pro upgrade path** - Pro adds AI reply drafts for Text Us messages

---

= What makes Yatoon different =

Most booking plugins were built for generic businesses. Yatoon was built for **beauty**. That means:

* Clients can book **multiple services** in one visit - nails + pedicure + eyebrows, all in one checkout
* **AI-guided service selection** helps unsure clients understand which service fits their needs
* **Group appointments** - your client books for herself and her friend, with separate services and staff for each person, in one go
* A **restaurant-style service menu** with photos, pricing, and a Book button right on the page - not a separate popup or redirect
* **Staff profiles with real star ratings** from verified clients - clients pick who they trust
* A **photo gallery** that auto-scrolls your nail art - because your work sells itself
* **Tip / gratuity at checkout** - preset percentages or custom amount, right in the booking flow

This is the stuff that actually matters in a salon. Everything else is just noise.

---

= Booking experience your clients will love =

* **Mobile-first** - the entire booking flow is designed for phones first. Your clients book from the nail salon parking lot or their couch.
* **Multi-step flow** with animated progress bar - clients always know where they are and what's next
* **Real-time availability** - live calendar that loads actual open slots from your schedule
* **"Any staff" option** - clients who don't have a preference get the first available technician automatically
* **Waitlist capture** - when a time is fully booked, clients can join a list so you can follow up manually
* **"Text Us" button** - if nothing is available, clients can reach you directly with one tap
* **Add to Calendar** - Google, Apple, and Outlook with one click after booking
* **Self-service portal** - clients reschedule or cancel on their own, without calling you

---

= Everything you need to run your salon =

**For your clients:**
* Beautiful booking form that matches your website
* Instant confirmation email with full appointment details
* Automated reminder email before their appointment
* One-tap star rating after their visit - no login required
* Secure link to reschedule or cancel anytime

**For your team:**
* Staff portal - technicians view their own schedule on their phone, no logins needed
* Staff profiles with photos, bios, and real star ratings
* Each staff member linked to only their services

**For you:**
* Dashboard with today's bookings, monthly revenue, and no-show rate at a glance
* Client list with visit history, notes, and allergy information
* Closed dates manager - block holidays for everyone with one click
* Custom booking form fields - add questions like nail shape preference, allergy notes, or reference photos
* Fully customizable confirmation email template

---

= Service display shortcodes =

* **`[yatoon_booking]`** - the full booking form. Put it on any page.
* **`[yatoon_service_menu]`** - restaurant-style menu with photos, prices, and Book buttons. Clients browse and book without leaving the page.
* **`[yatoon_catalog]`** - image card grid with category filters.
* **`[yatoon_gallery]`** - auto-scrolling photo carousel of your work. Supports mobile swipe, lightbox, and infinite loop.
* **`[yatoon_customer_portal]`** - client self-service: view upcoming bookings, reschedule, cancel.
* **`[yatoon_staff_portal]`** - technician schedule viewer. Installable as a home screen app on iPhone and Android.

---

= Optional Pro upgrade - for salons that are growing =

The WordPress.org version runs in local WordPress booking mode. A separate Pro package is available outside WordPress.org for salons that need live third-party integrations and higher-volume workflows:

* **Square & Vagaro live sync** - your Square Appointments or Vagaro availability syncs in real time. No double bookings, ever. Clients see exactly what's open.
* **AI reply drafts** - turn Text Us messages into warm, staff-reviewed response drafts
* **SMS reminders via Twilio** - automated text messages before every appointment cut no-shows dramatically
* **Google Calendar two-way sync** - your bookings appear in your personal calendar automatically
* **Unlimited staff members** - no cap on technicians
* **Deposits & prepay** - require a credit card or partial payment upfront for clients with a no-show history, or for high-value services
* **Waitlist auto-notify** - email clients automatically when a matching slot opens
* **No-show tracking** - automatically flag clients who miss appointments
* **Recurring bookings** - clients set up weekly or bi-weekly repeats from the confirmation page
* **Service packages, memberships, coupon codes & gift cards** - sell and redeem prepaid value from your site
* **Priority support** - direct access to the team that built and runs this in a real salon

---

= Get started in 5 minutes =

1. Install and activate the plugin
2. The **Setup Wizard** launches automatically - follow 5 simple steps to configure your business info, hours, and booking page
3. Add `[yatoon_booking]` to your booking page
4. Add `[yatoon_service_menu]` to your services page
5. Upload photos to your services and add `[yatoon_gallery]` to your homepage
6. Preview the client booking experience at https://yatoon.com/bookingdemo/

That's it. Your clients can start booking.

= External Services and Privacy =

The free booking flow runs locally in WordPress and does not require Square, Vagaro, Stripe, Twilio, or Google Calendar.

AI features use the WordPress 7.0 AI Client when a site administrator connects an AI provider in WordPress Settings > Connectors. Yatoon does not store AI provider API keys and does not charge for AI usage. Any AI usage cost depends on the site owner's selected AI provider. On WordPress 6.9 and older, AI features stay hidden and the booking system continues to work normally.

The plugin bundles the Freemius SDK to provide optional account, upgrade, and licensing screens. Freemius is only used when a site administrator chooses to connect, opt in, or use upgrade/licensing features. Freemius may receive site, user, and license information needed to provide those optional services.

* Freemius: https://freemius.com - Terms: https://freemius.com/terms/
* Freemius Privacy Policy: https://freemius.com/privacy/

== Screenshots ==

1. Multi-step booking form with animated progress bar and service summary
2. Group appointment booking - services for Me and Guest side by side
3. Restaurant-style service menu with category filter tabs
4. Auto-scrolling photo gallery with dot navigation and lightbox
5. Staff profile cards with star ratings and Popular/Experienced badges
6. Admin dashboard with KPI cards, trend chart, and today's timeline
7. Booking confirmation with Add to Calendar and rebooking nudge
8. Customer self-service portal - view, reschedule, or cancel

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Does this work with Square or Vagaro? =

Real-time Square and Vagaro calendar sync is available in Yatoon Pro. The free version supports local availability management through the built-in calendar.

= Can clients book for a group? =

Yes. Yatoon supports group appointments - your client can book services for themselves and a guest in a single checkout, with separate service and staff selection for each person.

= Can I add multiple services to one appointment? =

Yes. Clients can add as many services as needed. The booking form shows a running total of time and price, and the calendar finds a start time that fits the full combined duration.

= Is it mobile-friendly? =

Yatoon is designed mobile-first. The booking form, service menu, and photo gallery all work smoothly on phones and tablets.

= Does it send confirmation emails? =

Yes. Automated confirmation emails go out immediately after booking, with a full appointment summary and a link to manage or reschedule.

= Can clients leave a star rating without creating an account? =

Yes. After their appointment, clients receive an email with a one-tap star rating link. No login or account required.

= How do I display my service photos? =

Upload photos to each service (Services > Edit > Gallery Images), then add `[yatoon_gallery]` to any page. The carousel auto-scrolls and supports swipe on mobile.

= Does AI cost money? =

WordPress 7.0 provides the AI Client interface, but the site owner pays their chosen AI provider if that provider charges for usage. Yatoon does not store AI API keys or charge for AI usage.

= Does Yatoon still work on WordPress 6.9? =

Yes. The booking system remains compatible with WordPress 6.9 and older. AI features only appear when the WordPress 7.0 AI Client is available and configured.

= What languages is Yatoon available in? =

Yatoon is translation-ready and compatible with WPML and Polylang. All strings are localized.

== Changelog ==

= 3.3.16 =
* Refined: cleaner admin license wording, steadier mobile spacing, stronger button/focus states, and clearer release metadata for Free and Pro packages.
* Improved: tightened service/category cards and booking controls so the interface feels more polished on phone and desktop.

= 3.3.15 =
* Final polish: mobile steps, service cards, category tabs, AI helper, and license/upgrade wording are cleaner and easier to scan.
* Improved booking review wording, guest naming, service label clarity, and group appointment management from the 3.3.15 release.
* Fixed related appointment cancellation so multi-person Square bookings are managed together from the customer link.

= 3.3.14 =
* Improved: Group guest appointments now show the time range first and Reserved Time underneath, with guests clearly shown as starting together instead of implying sequential service order.
