💬 AuraChat — WordPress Live Chat Widget Plugin

A drop-in, zero-dependency WordPress live chat plugin with customizable bot branding, quick-reply chips, keyword auto-responder, operating hours indicator, and optional AI / Webhook backend connection.

📦 What's Included in This Plugin Folder

aurachat-live-chat/
├── aurachat.php              # Main WordPress Plugin file & Settings API
├── readme.txt                # WordPress.org standard metadata & documentation
├── README.md                 # Full documentation & configuration guide
├── index.php                 # Direct access security protection
├── assets/
│   ├── index.php
│   ├── js/
│   │   ├── chat-widget.js    # Front-end pure JS chat widget
│   │   └── admin-script.js   # Admin dashboard settings & live preview logic
│   └── css/
│       └── admin-style.css   # Admin dashboard styling with tabs & color picker
└── templates/
    └── admin-settings.php    # Admin settings UI with live preview and rule builder

🚀 How to Install in WordPress

Method 1: Upload via WordPress Admin (Easiest)

1. In your WordPress Admin sidebar, navigate to Plugins → Add New Plugin.
2. Click the Upload Plugin button at the top.
3. Choose aurachat-live-chat.zip (or chatbotplugin.zip) from your Downloads folder.
4. Click Install Now, then click Activate Plugin.
5. Go to Settings → AuraChat Widget in your WordPress Admin sidebar to configure your branding and responses.

Method 2: Manual Folder Upload (FTP / cPanel / Localhost)

1. Copy or extract this aurachat-live-chat directory into your WordPress plugins directory:

   wp-content/plugins/aurachat-live-chat/

2. In WordPress Admin, go to Plugins → Installed Plugins.
3. Find AuraChat — Live Chat Widget and click Activate.

⚙️ Configuration & Features

Go to WordPress Admin → Settings → AuraChat Widget:

1. General & Identity

• Enable / Disable Widget: Easily toggle the widget on or off site-wide.
• Bot Name & Subtitle: Set your assistant's display name (e.g. Nova) and subtitle (e.g. Support Assistant).
• Avatar Initial: Customize the letter or emoji in the avatar circle (e.g. N or 🤖).
• Welcome Message: Set the initial greeting shown when visitors open the chat.
• Input Placeholder: Customize the textarea placeholder text.

2. Design & Colors

• Primary Accent Color: Integrated WordPress color picker for the launcher button, user message bubbles, and action buttons.
• Header & Dark Color: Set the header bar and text accent colors.
• Position: Choose Bottom-Right (default) or Bottom-Left corner dock.

3. Quick Replies & Auto-Responder

• Quick Reply Chips: Add instant clickable pill buttons (e.g., Pricing, Book a demo, Talk to a human).
• Keyword Response Rules: Add custom keyword triggers (e.g. hours, pricing, refund, hello) with dedicated bot responses.
• Default Fallback: Message returned when no keyword matches.

4. Operating Hours & Behavior

• Operating Hours: Set your local business hours (e.g. 9 AM - 6 PM) to show a live green online dot or away message.
• Message Timestamps: Show or hide 12-hour formatted timestamps (10:45 AM).
• LocalStorage Persistence: Saves conversation history across page navigation and refresh.
• Audio Ping: Subtle Web Audio chime on incoming bot messages.
• Display Rules: Show on all pages, homepage only, or hide for logged-in admin users.

5. AI / Custom Webhook API Integration (Optional)

Connect your chat widget directly to an external API (e.g., OpenAI Assistant, Zapier, Make.com, or Node/Python backend). Simply enter your endpoint URL in Settings → AuraChat Widget → API & Integrations:

• Outgoing Payload: {"message": "User text"}
• Expected Return JSON: {"reply": "Bot answer"}

🛠️ Programmatic JavaScript API

The widget automatically registers window.AuraChat on the frontend for custom JavaScript interactions:

AuraChat.open();                    // Open the chat panel
AuraChat.close();                   // Close the chat panel
AuraChat.toggle();                  // Toggle open / closed
AuraChat.sendMessage("Hello!");     // Trigger a message programmatically
AuraChat.clearHistory();            // Reset chat history and restart

🔒 Security & Performance

• Zero frontend dependencies (No jQuery, React, or heavy fonts required on frontend).
• Secure WordPress Settings API with capability checks (manage_options) and nonce validation.
• All options sanitized via sanitize_text_field, sanitize_hex_color, and esc_url_raw.
• Safe DOM rendering to prevent XSS.