Main Features

• Remembers reading position using localStorage for guests.
• Saves reading position to user_meta per device for logged-in users (PC, Mobile, Tablet…).
• Automatically scrolls back to the last read position on reload or return.
• Choose which post types are enabled via settings panel.
• No tables, no tracking, no bloat – fully clean and safe.
• No jQuery used, written in modern Vanilla JS.
• Supports init_rp_delay filter to customize debounce delay before saving.

For both guests and logged-in users

• Guests’ reading positions are saved via browser localStorage.
• Logged-in users’ positions are saved in user_meta per post and per device, ensuring each device remembers its own state.

Easy Customization

• You can choose which post types enable the reading position feature.
• Supports filters for developers to modify saving delay or logic based on post ID.

Quick Setup

1. Download the plugin and extract it into /wp-content/plugins/
2. Activate it via the Plugins menu in WP admin
3. Configure supported post types in Settings → Reading Position
4. Done – it runs automatically, no shortcode or block needed.

Performance & Compatibility

• Compatible with WordPress 5.5 and above
• Tested on the latest version 6.8
• Requires PHP 7.4+
• Theme-independent – works with any modern theme
• Highly optimized code, no slowdown even on long posts

For Developers

• Filter init_rp_delay to customize debounce time
• Filter init_rp_meta_key to change the meta key name
• Filter init_rp_data_to_store to modify saved content
• Filter init_rp_should_delete to decide whether to delete saved position
• Filter init_rp_localized_data to inject extra data into frontend JS

Examples using advanced filters:

// Change debounce time (default: 1000ms)
add_filter('init_rp_delay', fn() => 2000); // 2 seconds

// Customize meta_key used for storing position
add_filter('init_rp_meta_key', function ($key, $post_id, $device) {
    return "_custom_rp_{$post_id}_{$device}"; // Example: _custom_rp_123_PC
}, 10, 3);

// Modify data stored to user_meta (default includes scrollTop, percent, screenHeight, updated)
add_filter('init_rp_data_to_store', function ($data, $post_id, $device, $user_id) {
    $data['ip'] = $_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR'] ?? ''; // Optionally store user IP
    return $data;
}, 10, 4);

// Prevent deletion of saved position when user reaches end
add_filter('init_rp_should_delete', fn($yes) => false); // Keep it for next session

// Inject debug mode into JS
add_filter('init_rp_localized_data', function ($data, $post_id) {
    $data['debug'] = current_user_can('manage_options'); // Add debug flag for admins
    return $data;
});

Get Started

Whether you’re running a blog, novel site, magazine or long-form content hub, Init Reading Position delivers a smooth and smart reading experience – lightweight, intelligent, and fully automatic.