SNY Auto Featured Image – Documentation

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1. Quick Start

Install and start automatically assigning featured images in 3 easy steps:

Install: In your WordPress admin, go to Plugins → Add New, search for SNY Auto Featured Image, and click Install & Activate.
Configure Rules: Navigate to Settings → SNY AFI in your sidebar. By default, an active rule is created ready for customization.
Publish or Bulk Apply: Whenever you publish a post, the plugin automatically sets the image. For existing posts, switch to the Bulk Operations tab to preview and process them.

2. Key Features

🎯 Conditional Rules

Assign images based on post type, category, tag, or post status. Multiple conditions must all match.

🖼️ First Image from Content

Automatically detect and use the first <img> tag in the post body as the featured thumbnail.

🎬 Video Thumbnails

Extracts high-resolution video covers from embedded YouTube or Vimeo URLs when enabled.

👁️ Batched Bulk Preview

Safely inspect up to 50 matching posts, proposed thumbnails, and match reasons before saving changes.

3. How Auto-Assignment Works

When a post is saved or published, SNY Auto Featured Image evaluates rules in the following sequence:

Check Existing Thumbnail: If the post already has a featured image, it is left untouched (unless the matching rule explicitly has "Overwrite existing featured images" checked).
Scan Rules Top-to-Bottom: The plugin loops through active Image Rules in order of priority.
Condition Verification: Checks if ALL conditions in the rule match the post (post type, category, tag, status).
Apply Image & Stop: If a match is found, its image is assigned and the process terminates immediately.
Fallback: If no rules match, no featured image is modified, keeping your database completely clean.

4. Setting Up Image Rules

Under Settings → SNY AFI → Image Rules, you can configure granular rules:

Rule Name: A descriptive label for your team (e.g. "News Category Fallback").
Rule Toggle: Instantly enable or disable a rule without deleting it.
Conditions: Choose post types (Posts, Pages, Custom Post Types), categories, tags, and publishing statuses. Multiple selections act as AND logic.
Image Source:
- Media Library: Pick an existing graphic or logo from your media library.
- First Image in Content: Scans the post body dynamically.
- External URL: Enter any direct HTTP/HTTPS image URL.
Overwrite Checkbox: Check this only if you want this rule to replace existing featured images on matching posts.

💡 Pro Tip: Place your most specific rules at the top (e.g. Category: Technology) and general catch-all rules at the bottom. Remember to click Save Settings to commit your changes!

5. First Image & Video Thumbnails

When selecting "First Image in Content" as your rule image source, you unlock powerful extraction settings:

Video Thumbnails Support

If your post contains an embedded YouTube or Vimeo video, check "Extract Video Thumbnails". The plugin queries the video provider, downloads the highest available cover photo, saves it as an attachment in your Media Library, and assigns it as the featured thumbnail.

External Image Sideloading

Check "Sideload External Images" to automatically download hotlinked external images from content into your local Media Library. This ensures your site doesn't rely on third-party CDNs that could break or load slowly.

6. Bulk Preview & Operations

Have dozens or hundreds of existing posts without featured images? The Bulk Operations tab processes existing content safely:

Select Rule: Choose "All Rules (in order)" or pick a specific rule to apply.
Preview Changes First: Click Preview Changes. The plugin renders a dry-run preview table of up to 50 matching posts showing post title, current thumbnail, proposed thumbnail, and exact match reason (e.g. SET or SKIP: has image, overwrite OFF).
Apply Batch: Click Apply (Up to 50 Posts) to execute the assignment. A live progress bar tracks processing in real-time batches.

⚠️ Safety Warning: Bulk modifications directly update post metadata. Free bulk operations are irreversible. Always back up your database before running bulk operations if your rules have overwrite enabled.

7. Post List Thumbnail Column

Under the Settings tab, you can enable an administrative thumbnail column:

Adds an image preview column to your WordPress post and page admin tables.
Allows you to quickly see which posts have thumbnails and which are missing images at a glance.
Customize preview thumbnail size between 30px and 150px.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't my featured image being set?

Check that: 1) Your Image Rule toggle switch is ON, 2) The rule has valid matching conditions, 3) The post doesn't already have an existing image (unless "Overwrite existing featured images" is enabled on the rule), and 4) You clicked Save Settings after making edits.

Does this work with WooCommerce Products?

Yes! The plugin supports all public post types. Under rule conditions, select "Products" (or any custom post type) in the Post Type condition.

Will this overwrite existing featured images?

By default, no. The plugin only sets featured images on posts that don't have one. Existing custom images are preserved unless you deliberately check "Overwrite existing featured images" on a specific rule.

What happens if I delete or disable a rule?

Existing featured images on your published posts are never deleted. Only newly published posts or posts processed through Bulk Operations will reflect the updated rules.

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SNY Auto Featured Image Documentation & User Guide