Edible Live Search

A lightweight, HTMX-powered live search plugin for WordPress with analytics tracking and comprehensive admin configuration.

Features

🔍 Live Search

• Real-time results as you type (with configurable delay)
• HTMX-powered - No custom JavaScript required
• Keyboard navigation - Arrow keys, Enter to select
• Smooth animations - Ease-in dropdown appearance
• Auto-trigger - Results reappear when returning to page

🎨 Customizable

• Configurable placeholder text - Set via admin or shortcode
• Custom "no results" message - Fully configurable text
• Responsive design - Works on desktop and mobile
• Direct CSS access - Style it your way
• Loupe icon - Built-in search icon

📊 Analytics

• Search tracking - Monitor popular searches
• Failed searches - Identify content gaps
• Privacy-compliant - No personal data collection
• Data retention - Configurable cleanup

⚙️ Admin Controls

• Post type selection - Choose what to search
• Search fields - Title, content, excerpt, custom fields
• Results limit - 1-20 results
• Minimum characters - 1-10 character threshold
• Search delay - 100-2000ms debouncing

Usage

Shortcode

[edible_live_search]
[edible_live_search placeholder="Search posts..."]
[edible_live_search class="my-custom-class"]

Admin Configuration

Navigate to Settings > Live Search to configure all search options.

Technical Details

Architecture

• HTMX for AJAX interactions (no custom JS)
• Conditional loading - Assets only load when search form present
• Privacy-first - No IP or user agent tracking
• Internal plugin - Streamlined for internal use

Performance

• Conditional asset loading - HTMX only when needed
• Efficient queries - Optimized WordPress queries
• Minimal CSS - Essential styles only
• No external dependencies - Self-contained

Keyboard Navigation

• ↑ Arrow Up - Previous result
• ↓ Arrow Down - Next result
• Enter - Navigate to selected result
• Escape - No action (ignored)

Analytics

View search analytics at Settings > Live Search Analytics:

• Today's searches - Current day statistics
• Weekly totals - 7-day search volume
• Success rate - Percentage of successful searches
• Popular searches - Most common search terms
• Failed searches - Searches with no results

Browser Support

• Modern browsers - Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
• HTMX 1.9.10 - From CDN
• Responsive design - Mobile-first approach
• Accessibility - Keyboard navigation support

Security

• Nonce verification - CSRF protection
• Input sanitization - All user input sanitized
• Capability checks - Admin-only settings
• SQL injection prevention - WordPress query functions

Version History

1.0.5

• Removed browser autocomplete
• Fixed escape key behavior
• Configurable "no results" text

1.0.4

• Added keyboard navigation
• Auto-trigger search on page return
• Smooth dropdown animations
• Loupe icon in search box

1.0.3

• Simplified for internal use
• Removed widget functionality
• Removed color schemes
• Streamlined codebase

Support

This is an internal plugin designed for specific use cases. For modifications or support, refer to the codebase directly.

License

GPL v2 or later