=== WP Chest - Cache ===
Contributors: squidspark
Tags: cache, caching, performance, page cache, speed, database
Requires at least: 6.0
Tested up to: 7.0
Requires PHP: 8.0
Stable tag: 1.0.0
License: GPL-2.0-or-later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Full-page caching that boosts performance and cuts database calls, with an admin-set cache lifetime,
one-click and per-page purging, and automatic purge on content changes.

== Description ==

WP Chest - Cache stores fully-rendered pages on disk and serves them to logged-out visitors, so
WordPress doesn't rebuild the page (and hit the database) on every request.

**Highlights**

* Two serving modes you choose from the settings screen:
  * **Drop-in (maximum performance)** — installs an `advanced-cache.php` drop-in and enables
    `WP_CACHE`, so a cache hit is served *before* WordPress and the database load. Zero database
    queries on a hit. Both changes are made cleanly and removed automatically when you switch modes
    or deactivate the plugin.
  * **Plugin (self-contained)** — changes nothing outside the plugin folder; the cached page is
    returned early in the WordPress load, before the theme renders.
  * If Drop-in mode can't be installed (unwritable `wp-config.php`/`wp-content`), the plugin falls
    back to Plugin mode automatically and tells you.
* **Admin-set cache lifetime (TTL)** — from 1 minute to 30 days.
* **Manual purging** — clear the whole cache or a single URL from the settings screen or the
  toolbar "Purge cache" menu (front-end and admin).
* **Automatic purging** — when a post or page is created, edited, trashed or commented on, the
  affected cached pages are cleared. Choose the scope: only the edited page, a smart set (the page
  plus the home page, its archives and feeds), or a full flush.
* **Logged-in users always bypass the cache** — administrators and any signed-in user are never
  served a cached page and never populate the cache.
* **gzip variants**, tracking-parameter stripping (`utm_*`, `fbclid`, …), and configurable URL /
  cookie / user-agent exclusions (WooCommerce cart/checkout and commenter sessions excluded by
  default).
* **Scheduled cleanup** removes expired pages, and a Diagnostics tab reports status and cache size.

The `X-WPChest-Cache` response header reports `HIT` or `MISS` for every request.

== Installation ==

1. Upload the `wp-chest-cache` folder to `/wp-content/plugins/`.
2. Activate the plugin through the Plugins screen.
3. Go to **Cache** to choose your serving mode, cache lifetime and purge behaviour.

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.0 =
* Initial release.
