=== Freelance Studio ===
Contributors: jennydougherty
Tags: freelance, invoicing, project management, time tracking, contracts
Requires at least: 6.0
Tested up to: 6.9
Requires PHP: 8.1
Stable tag: 8.2.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

All-in-one freelance business management. Clients, projects, invoices, time tracking, contracts, and more — from your own WordPress site.

== Description ==

Freelance Studio is a self-hosted WordPress plugin that gives creative freelancers a complete business management toolkit. Instead of juggling multiple SaaS subscriptions, keep everything in one place — on your own server, in your own database, under your control.

**Built by freelancers, for freelancers.** Designed specifically for creative, project-based work rather than product-based small businesses.

= Who It's For =

* Graphic designers and brand designers
* Web developers and WordPress developers
* Photographers and videographers
* Copywriters and content creators
* Marketing consultants
* UX/UI designers
* Any creative professional who works on client projects

= Why Freelance Studio? =

* **Self-hosted:** Your business data lives on your server — no vendor lock-in
* **WordPress native:** Installs alongside your existing site, no separate login needed
* **All features included:** No tiered pricing that locks features behind higher plans
* **No per-user pricing:** One subscription covers your entire business
* **No transaction fees:** We don't process payments, so we don't take a cut
* **14-day free trial:** Try everything before you commit

= Features =

**Client Management**
Store and organize all your client information. Track contact details, company info, associated projects, invoices, proposals, and contracts. Give clients portal access to view their documents.

**Project Tracking**
Manage projects from start to finish with Kanban board and list views. Track milestones, deliverables, budgets, and due dates. Supports hourly, fixed-fee, and retainer billing.

**Invoicing**
Create professional invoices with custom numbering, line items, tax calculations, discounts, and partial payment tracking. Send invoices via email, generate PDFs, and track payment status. Includes deposit invoices and recurring billing.

**Time Tracking**
Built-in timer with start, pause, and stop. Manual time entry, billable vs. non-billable tracking, activity categories, and weekly views. Invoice tracked time directly to clients.

**Proposals**
Win more clients with professional proposals. Rich text editor, pricing sections, expiration dates, client approval workflow, and conversion to projects upon approval.

**Contracts & E-Signatures**
Protect your business with customizable contracts. Electronic signature capture for both freelancer and client, with timestamp and IP logging. Attach to projects or send standalone.

**Expense Tracking**
Log and categorize business expenses. Attach receipts, associate with projects, mark as billable, and track recurring expenses. Tax-ready reporting.

**Scheduling & Bookings**
Public booking page for your website. Configurable meeting types, availability settings, Google Calendar integration, automatic Google Meet links, and email confirmations.

**Reports & Tax Preparation**
Income reports, expense summaries, profit and loss overview, client revenue breakdown, project profitability analysis, and quarterly tax estimates.

= Integrations =

* **Google Calendar** — Two-way sync for project dates, invoice reminders, and bookings
* **Google Meet** — Automatic meeting link generation for scheduled bookings
* **Email** — Send invoices, proposals, and contracts with customizable templates
* **PDF Generation** — Professional PDF output for all client-facing documents

== Installation ==

1. Upload the `freelance-studio` folder to the `/wp-content/plugins/` directory, or install the plugin through the WordPress plugins screen.
2. Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' screen in WordPress.
3. Navigate to **Freelance Studio** in the admin menu.
4. Complete the setup wizard to configure your business details.
5. Start adding clients and creating projects!

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Do I need any coding skills to use Freelance Studio? =

Not at all. Freelance Studio is designed with a clean, intuitive interface that any creative professional can use. If you can use WordPress, you can use Freelance Studio.

= Where is my data stored? =

All your data is stored in your own WordPress database on your own server. Freelance Studio creates custom database tables — nothing is sent to external servers (except optional Google Calendar sync if you enable it).

= Can my clients see their invoices and contracts? =

Yes! Freelance Studio includes a client portal where clients can view invoices, review and sign contracts, and check project status — all through secure, tokenized links.

= What payment methods does it support? =

Freelance Studio tracks payments and generates invoices, but does not process payments directly. You can use any payment method you prefer (bank transfer, PayPal, Stripe, etc.) and record payments in the plugin.

= Can I migrate from another tool? =

Freelance Studio stores data in standard database tables, making it straightforward to import data. Contact support for migration assistance from specific platforms.

= What happens if I cancel my subscription? =

All your data remains in your WordPress database. The plugin continues to function with free-tier limits. You can export your data at any time.

== Screenshots ==

1. Project list view — see all your projects at a glance with status, client, and budget info
2. Project detail view — billing schedule, services, deposit settings, and project tabs
3. Proposal management — track proposals from draft to approved with client details
4. Contract management — manage contracts with e-signature status tracking
5. Time tracking — built-in timer with activity log, filters, and weekly views

== Changelog ==

= 7.0.3 =
* Integrated Freemius WordPress SDK for licensing and updates
* Configured product credentials for distribution

= 7.0.2 =
* Added premium-only page renders for Bookings, Recurring Invoices, and Project Templates
* Added gates for e-signatures, file uploads, client portal, and Google Calendar settings
* Added premium upgrade page UI with feature descriptions and trial CTA

= 7.0.1 =
* Added usage limit gates for clients, projects, invoice sends, proposals, and contracts
* Added feature locks for PDF downloads, live timer, milestones, time reports, and export reports
* Added "Powered by Freelance Studio" badge on free-tier client-facing documents

= 7.0.0 =
* Freemius SDK foundation — helper functions, constants, and conditional file loading
* Free vs Pro tier architecture with upgrade notice system

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 7.0.3 =
This version includes the Freemius SDK for licensing and automatic updates. Existing users will see an opt-in screen upon activation.
