Fixed left stays with the post on blog and archive pages. On a single post or page, wide screens still keep the outline in a left column of the main content.<\/p>","1.6.13":"
Show page is easier to find in focused reading. Click it or press Escape to restore the rest of the page.<\/p>","1.6.12":"
Focused reading now keeps a Show page control. Press Escape or click it to restore the rest of the page.<\/p>","1.5.0":"
One TOCguide adds a Table of Contents block to the WordPress block editor. It is an independent plugin by Matt Hummel and is not affiliated with any other company or plugin. Optional Reading Guide<\/strong> mode turns the outline into a reading companion (section previews, read time, progress). Every feature is rendered server-side or handled in the browser with no external API calls, no accounts, and no tracking.<\/p>\n\n Enable Reading Guide<\/strong> in the block sidebar to transform the TOC into a live reading companion. Every enrichment is computed from your block content \u2014 no JavaScript fetches, no third-party services.<\/p>\n\n Section content previews<\/strong> \u2014 The opening sentence of every section appears beneath its TOC link, extracted server-side from your block content. Readers scan the outline and know exactly what they are about to read before they click.<\/p>\n\n Content density bars<\/strong> \u2014 A subtle bar under each item shows that section's word count as a proportion of the longest section. Readers see at a glance which sections are brief and which are deep dives.<\/p>\n\n Per-section read-time estimates<\/strong> \u2014 Word count divided by average reading speed gives a Reading progress<\/strong> \u2014 As a reader scrolls past each section, its TOC item fades out. The outline becomes a live checklist of what has been read and what remains.<\/p>\n\n Author section notes<\/strong> \u2014 Write a short teaser or hook for any section directly in the block editor's Section Notes panel. Readers reveal it with a single tap (\u270d button). The note is stored in block attributes \u2014 no database round-trip.<\/p>\n\n Emoji reactions<\/strong> \u2014 Readers react to individual sections (\ud83d\udca1 Insightful \u00b7 \u2b50 Saved \u00b7 \ud83e\udd14 Unclear \u00b7 \u2705 Got it) with a single click. Choices are stored in the browser's localStorage. No accounts, no server calls, no tracking.<\/p>\n\n Per-section academic citations<\/strong> \u2014 A \u00a7 button on each TOC item copies a fully formatted academic citation for that specific section. Five formats supported: APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and plain link. Citation data comes entirely from WordPress post meta (author, title, site name, published date, permalink). Ideal for research blogs, documentation sites, and long-form journalism.<\/p>\n\n TOCguide is designed to work with every major WordPress stack:<\/p>\n\n Unminified JavaScript and SCSS ship in This plugin does not<\/strong> load JavaScript or CSS from a third-party CDN. Front-end assets are enqueued from files inside the plugin. The GitHub Pages marketing site may load a webfont; that is not part of the plugin zip.<\/p>\n\n None. TOCguide does not call remote APIs, does not require an account, and does not send data off-site. Details: https:\/\/github.com\/matthummel-pa\/tocguide\/blob\/main\/PRIVACY.md<\/p>\n\n No personal data collection, no marketing cookies, no phone-home. Settings live in the TOCguide does not print a \u201cpowered by\u201d or credit link on published posts.<\/p>\n\n Layout & behavior: Reading Guide: Study assistant: Examples:<\/p>\n\n Add the CSS class Documentation and support: https:\/\/matthummel-pa.github.io\/tocguide\/\nIssues: https:\/\/github.com\/matthummel-pa\/tocguide\/issues<\/p>\n\n TOCguide is copyright 2026 Matt Hummel and licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2 or later. That license covers the whole plugin (PHP, JavaScript, CSS, and images). The full text is in The block is for the block editor. For classic content or a theme template, use the Yes. Add a Shortcode widget to your Elementor layout and enter Yes. Add a Code module or Shortcode module to your Divi section and enter Yes. Paste Yes. Add an HTML module or Shortcode module containing Yes. Add a Raw HTML element or Shortcode element with Yes. Insert Yes. The optional JSON-LD schema is off by default. If you enable it, turn off TOC schema in your SEO plugin (or vice versa) to avoid duplicate structured data. The Yes. Matching anchor IDs are added automatically. Custom HTML anchors on a heading are respected. Smooth scrolling and a pixel offset are configurable under Settings \u2192 TOCguide.<\/p><\/dd>\n The server walks the parsed block content and extracts the first ~20 words after each heading. No JavaScript fetch, no API, no external service.<\/p><\/dd>\n Each reader's choices are stored in their browser's Citations are built from data already in WordPress: the post author's display name, post title, blog name, published date, and permalink. The \u00a7 button constructs the formatted string in JavaScript and copies it to the clipboard. The citation includes the section anchor ( On a wide screen, a single post or page keeps the outline in a left column of the main content. The header and the rest of the page stay put. On a small screen, and on blog or archive pages, the outline stays with the post.<\/p><\/dd>\n Yes. Set Minimum headings<\/strong> in Settings \u2192 TOCguide.<\/p><\/dd>\n Yes. Headings nested inside Group, Columns, Cover, and similar blocks are included in both the TOC and the Reading Guide section data.<\/p><\/dd>\n Each instance lists the same headings from that post. Prefer one outline per page.<\/p><\/dd>\n No. Zero external network requests from TOCguide in any mode.<\/p><\/dd>\n GNU GPLv2 or later, covering the whole plugin (PHP, JavaScript, CSS, and images). Copyright Matt Hummel. Full text: No. Independent plugin by Matt Hummel. Display name TOCguide; slug, folder, and text domain No. Plugin CSS and JS are local. Core-bundled libraries are used where WordPress already ships them. No remote executable code.<\/p><\/dd>\n Users with the Deactivate leaves settings in place. Delete runs tocguide<\/code> identity for PHP, CSS, the block, shortcode, and settings. Re-insert the Table of Contents block and re-save Settings if you used an earlier zip.<\/p>"},"ratings":[],"assets_icons":{"icon-128x128.png":{"filename":"icon-128x128.png","revision":3709895,"resolution":"128x128","location":"assets","locale":"","width":128,"height":128},"icon-256x256.png":{"filename":"icon-256x256.png","revision":3709895,"resolution":"256x256","location":"assets","locale":"","width":256,"height":256},"icon.svg":{"filename":"icon.svg","revision":3709895,"resolution":false,"location":"assets","locale":false}},"assets_banners":{"banner-1544x500.png":{"filename":"banner-1544x500.png","revision":3710054,"resolution":"1544x500","location":"assets","locale":"","width":1544,"height":500},"banner-772x250.png":{"filename":"banner-772x250.png","revision":3710054,"resolution":"772x250","location":"assets","locale":"","width":772,"height":250}},"assets_blueprints":{},"all_blocks":{"tocguide\/table-of-contents":{"$schema":"https:\/\/schemas.wp.org\/trunk\/block.json","apiVersion":3,"name":"tocguide\/table-of-contents","version":"1.6.15","title":"Table of 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of Contents"},"viewportWidth":420},"editorScript":"file:.\/index.js","editorStyle":"file:.\/index.css","style":"file:.\/style-index.css","viewScript":"file:.\/view.js","render":"file:.\/render.php"}},"tagged_versions":["1.5.0","1.6.15","1.6.2","1.6.3","1.6.4"],"block_files":[],"assets_screenshots":{"screenshot-1.png":{"filename":"screenshot-1.png","revision":3710054,"resolution":"1","location":"assets","locale":"","width":1280,"height":800},"screenshot-2.png":{"filename":"screenshot-2.png","revision":3710054,"resolution":"2","location":"assets","locale":"","width":1280,"height":800},"screenshot-3.png":{"filename":"screenshot-3.png","revision":3710054,"resolution":"3","location":"assets","locale":"","width":1280,"height":800},"screenshot-4.png":{"filename":"screenshot-4.png","revision":3710054,"resolution":"4","location":"assets","locale":"","width":1280,"height":800},"screenshot-5.png":{"filename":"screenshot-5.png","revision":3710054,"resolution":"5","location":"assets","locale":"","width":1280,"height":800}},"screenshots":{"1":"Front-end Table of Contents with optional Reading Guide (previews, density, read time).","2":"Settings \u2192 TOCguide: auto-insert, design tokens, study tools, accessibility.","3":"Block sidebar in the editor (heading levels, layout, Reading Guide).","4":"Docs & Support tab in wp-admin (links to the documentation site)."}},"plugin_section":[],"plugin_tags":[1220,258607,282332,10851,10852],"plugin_category":[],"plugin_contributors":[282333],"plugin_business_model":[],"class_list":["post-363186","plugin","type-plugin","status-publish","hentry","plugin_tags-block","plugin_tags-reading-guide","plugin_tags-study-tools","plugin_tags-table-of-contents","plugin_tags-toc","plugin_contributors-matthummel","plugin_committers-matthummel"],"banners":{"banner":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/tocguide\/assets\/banner-772x250.png?rev=3710054","banner_2x":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/tocguide\/assets\/banner-1544x500.png?rev=3710054","banner_rtl":false,"banner_2x_rtl":false},"icons":{"svg":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/tocguide\/assets\/icon.svg?rev=3709895","icon":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/tocguide\/assets\/icon.svg?rev=3709895","icon_2x":false,"generated":false},"screenshots":[{"src":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/tocguide\/assets\/screenshot-1.png?rev=3710054","caption":"Front-end Table of Contents with optional Reading Guide (previews, density, read time)."},{"src":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/tocguide\/assets\/screenshot-2.png?rev=3710054","caption":"Settings \u2192 TOCguide: auto-insert, design tokens, study tools, accessibility."},{"src":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/tocguide\/assets\/screenshot-3.png?rev=3710054","caption":"Block sidebar in the editor (heading levels, layout, Reading Guide)."},{"src":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/tocguide\/assets\/screenshot-4.png?rev=3710054","caption":"Docs & Support tab in wp-admin (links to the documentation site)."},{"src":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/tocguide\/assets\/screenshot-5.png?rev=3710054","caption":""}],"raw_content":"\nStandard TOC features<\/h4>\n\n
\n
block.json<\/code>, live editor preview, Block Styles)<\/li>\n[tocguide]<\/code> shortcode for classic content and theme templates<\/li>\nno-toc<\/code><\/li>\n<nav><\/code> landmark with ARIA labels<\/li>\nReading Guide mode<\/h4>\n\n
~N min<\/code> badge next to each link. Readers can decide what to read and how long it will take.<\/p>\n\nCompatibility<\/h4>\n\n
\n
[tocguide]<\/code> in any shortcode\/HTML element.<\/li>\ntocguide<\/code> text domain.<\/li>\nSource and development<\/h4>\n\n
src\/<\/code>. Compiled assets are in build\/<\/code>. From the GitHub repo: npm install && npm run build<\/code>. Node 20+ (see .nvmrc<\/code>). PHP coding standards: composer install && composer phpcs<\/code>.<\/p>\n\nThird-party services<\/h4>\n\n
Privacy<\/h4>\n\n
tocguide_settings<\/code> option. Uninstall deletes data only if you opted in under Settings \u2192 TOCguide. Deactivate does not delete settings. Optional JSON-LD is off by default. Study tools that use localStorage<\/code> stay on the visitor's device.<\/p>\n\nCredits on the front end<\/h4>\n\n
How to use<\/h4>\n\n
\n
Shortcode<\/h4>\n\n
[tocguide]\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\ntitle<\/code>, showtitle<\/code>, titletag<\/code>, h1<\/code>\u2013h6<\/code>, ordered<\/code>, numbering<\/code>, markers<\/code>, collapsible<\/code>, collapsed<\/code>, close<\/code>, focus<\/code>, sticky<\/code>, fixed<\/code>, compact<\/code>, columns<\/code>, underline<\/code>, highlight<\/code>, maxheight<\/code>, min<\/code>, smooth<\/code>, style<\/code>, theme<\/code>, export<\/code>. fixed=\"1\"<\/code> keeps the outline in a left column on a wide single post or page.<\/p>\n\npreview=\"1\"<\/code> (hover tooltip on links), guide=\"1\"<\/code> (full Reading Guide mode), previews=\"1\"<\/code>, density=\"1\"<\/code>, readtime=\"1\"<\/code>, progress=\"1\"<\/code>, reactions=\"1\"<\/code>, citations=\"1\"<\/code>, citation=\"apa|mla|chicago|harvard|plain\"<\/code>.<\/p>\n\nrprogress=\"1\"<\/code> (document progress bar), bookmark=\"1\"<\/code> (resume last heading), rnotes=\"1\"<\/code> (private reader note pads).<\/p>\n\n[tocguide title=\"On this page\" style=\"boxed\" preview=\"1\"]\n\n[tocguide guide=\"1\" previews=\"1\" readtime=\"1\" reactions=\"1\" citations=\"1\"]\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\nSkip a heading<\/h4>\n\n
no-toc<\/code> or tocguide-skip<\/code> to a Heading block (Advanced \u2192 Additional CSS class(es)).<\/p>\n\nSupport<\/h4>\n\n
License<\/h3>\n\n
license.txt<\/code>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
tocguide<\/code> folder to \/wp-content\/plugins\/<\/code>, or install the ZIP through Plugins \u2192 Add New \u2192 Upload Plugin<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n
Does it work with the classic editor?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
[tocguide]<\/code> shortcode.<\/p><\/dd>\nDoes it work with Elementor?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
[tocguide]<\/code>. TOCguide automatically reads headings from your Elementor Heading widgets (via the stored widget JSON) and injects matching ID anchors into the rendered page so all TOC links scroll correctly. No extra plugin or configuration needed.<\/p><\/dd>\nDoes it work with Divi?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
[tocguide]<\/code>. TOCguide scans the rendered page HTML for headings and injects the correct anchor IDs.<\/p><\/dd>\nDoes it work with Bricks Builder?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
[tocguide]<\/code> into a Bricks Code element or Shortcode element. TOCguide reads headings directly from Bricks' element meta (heading and rich-text elements) and injects the correct IDs.<\/p><\/dd>\nDoes it work with Beaver Builder?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
[tocguide]<\/code>. TOCguide uses [tocguide]<\/code> detected in Beaver Builder data to ensure headings receive the correct anchor IDs.<\/p><\/dd>\nDoes it work with WPBakery \/ Visual Composer?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
[tocguide]<\/code>. TOCguide scans the rendered HTML for headings and injects IDs automatically.<\/p><\/dd>\nDoes it work with Oxygen Builder or Breakdance?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
[tocguide]<\/code> via a Shortcode element or Code Block. TOCguide detects the shortcode in Oxygen\/Breakdance meta and handles heading ID injection through the rendered HTML.<\/p><\/dd>\nCan it co-exist with my SEO plugin (Yoast, Rank Math)?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
<nav><\/code> landmark itself does not conflict with any SEO plugin.<\/p><\/dd>\nWill the links scroll to my headings?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
How are section previews generated?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
How do emoji reactions work?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
localStorage<\/code>. Nothing is sent to your server or any third party. If two readers use the same browser profile they see the same reactions, but reactions are per-device and never aggregated.<\/p><\/dd>\nHow are citations generated?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
#slug<\/code>) so it links directly to that section.<\/p><\/dd>\nWhere does Fixed left put the outline?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
Can I hide the TOC on short posts?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
Does it work in columns or groups?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
Can I have more than one TOC on a page?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
Is any data sent off-site?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
What license is TOCguide under?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
license.txt<\/code>.<\/p><\/dd>\nIs TOCguide affiliated with another product?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
tocguide<\/code>. That naming is intentional for WordPress.org guideline 17.<\/p><\/dd>\nDoes it load scripts or fonts from a CDN?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
Who can change settings?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
manage_options<\/code> capability (typically administrators). The welcome notice is dismissible and uses a nonce.<\/p><\/dd>\nWhat happens when I delete the plugin?<\/h3><\/dt>\n
uninstall.php<\/code>, which removes stored options only if you enabled \u201cdelete data on uninstall\u201d in Settings.<\/p><\/dd>\n\n<\/dl>\n\n\n1.6.15<\/h4>\n\n
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1.6.14<\/h4>\n\n
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1.6.13<\/h4>\n\n
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1.6.12<\/h4>\n\n
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1.6.11<\/h4>\n\n
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1.6.10<\/h4>\n\n
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1.6.9<\/h4>\n\n
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1.6.8<\/h4>\n\n
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1.6.7<\/h4>\n\n
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1.6.6<\/h4>\n\n
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1.6.5<\/h4>\n\n
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1.6.4<\/h4>\n\n
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1.6.3<\/h4>\n\n
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