diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/release.yml b/.gitea/workflows/release.yml
index 1130910..5118fd3 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/release.yml
@@ -66,8 +66,44 @@ jobs:
           # Copy files to the temp directory (excluding git and other unnecessary files)
           cp -r * /tmp/wp-digital-download/ 2>/dev/null || true
 
-          # Exclude .git, .gitea, and .playwright-mcp directories
-          rm -rf /tmp/wp-digital-download/.git /tmp/wp-digital-download/.gitea /tmp/wp-digital-download/.playwright-mcp 2>/dev/null || true
+          # Exclude development and sensitive files from plugin distribution
+          # Remove version control and CI/CD files
+          rm -rf /tmp/wp-digital-download/.git 2>/dev/null || true
+          rm -rf /tmp/wp-digital-download/.gitea 2>/dev/null || true
+          rm -rf /tmp/wp-digital-download/.github 2>/dev/null || true
+          rm -f /tmp/wp-digital-download/.gitignore 2>/dev/null || true
+          
+          # Remove testing and development files
+          rm -rf /tmp/wp-digital-download/.playwright-mcp 2>/dev/null || true
+          rm -rf /tmp/wp-digital-download/tests 2>/dev/null || true
+          rm -rf /tmp/wp-digital-download/test 2>/dev/null || true
+          rm -rf /tmp/wp-digital-download/node_modules 2>/dev/null || true
+          
+          # Remove documentation and config files that might contain sensitive data
+          rm -f /tmp/wp-digital-download/CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null || true
+          rm -f /tmp/wp-digital-download/README.md 2>/dev/null || true
+          
+          # Remove ALL JSON files (package.json, composer.json, and any test configs)
+          find /tmp/wp-digital-download -type f -name "*.json" -delete 2>/dev/null || true
+          
+          # Remove any lock files
+          rm -f /tmp/wp-digital-download/package-lock.json 2>/dev/null || true
+          rm -f /tmp/wp-digital-download/composer.lock 2>/dev/null || true
+          
+          # Remove any .env files that might contain credentials
+          find /tmp/wp-digital-download -type f -name ".env*" -delete 2>/dev/null || true
+          
+          # Remove any backup or temporary files
+          find /tmp/wp-digital-download -type f -name "*~" -delete 2>/dev/null || true
+          find /tmp/wp-digital-download -type f -name "*.bak" -delete 2>/dev/null || true
+          find /tmp/wp-digital-download -type f -name "*.tmp" -delete 2>/dev/null || true
+          
+          # Remove any log files
+          find /tmp/wp-digital-download -type f -name "*.log" -delete 2>/dev/null || true
+          
+          # List what's being included (for verification)
+          echo "Files being included in the release:"
+          ls -la /tmp/wp-digital-download/
 
           # Create the ZIP file with the proper structure
           cd /tmp
diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/update-version.yml b/.gitea/workflows/update-version.yml
index 2e22d2e..37d05d3 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/update-version.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/update-version.yml
@@ -42,7 +42,23 @@ jobs:
       - name: Create plugin zip
         run: |
           mkdir -p /tmp/wp-digital-download
-          rsync -av --exclude=".git" --exclude=".gitea" --exclude=".playwright-mcp" --exclude="build" . /tmp/wp-digital-download/
+          rsync -av \
+            --exclude=".git" \
+            --exclude=".gitea" \
+            --exclude=".gitignore" \
+            --exclude=".playwright-mcp" \
+            --exclude="build" \
+            --exclude="node_modules" \
+            --exclude="tests" \
+            --exclude="test" \
+            --exclude="CLAUDE.md" \
+            --exclude="*.json" \
+            --exclude="*.log" \
+            --exclude=".env*" \
+            --exclude="*.bak" \
+            --exclude="*.tmp" \
+            --exclude="*~" \
+            . /tmp/wp-digital-download/
           cd /tmp
           zip -r $GITEA_WORK_DIR/wp-digital-download.zip wp-digital-download
 
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 1fe5e52..ef1af17 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -11,12 +11,27 @@ wp-content/wp-cache-config.php
 wp-content/cache/
 wp-content/backups/
 
-# Plugin specific
+# Development files (excluded from plugin distribution)
 node_modules/
+tests/
+test/
+CLAUDE.md
 *.log
 .DS_Store
 Thumbs.db
 
+# Package and config files (may contain test data)
+package.json
+package-lock.json
+composer.json
+composer.lock
+*.json
+
+# Environment files
+.env
+.env.*
+*.env
+
 # IDE files
 .vscode/
 .idea/
diff --git a/clean-sensitive-data.sh b/clean-sensitive-data.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..4e4a65b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/clean-sensitive-data.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Script to remove sensitive files from git history
+# WARNING: This will rewrite git history!
+
+echo "WARNING: This script will rewrite git history to remove sensitive files."
+echo "Make sure you have a backup of your repository before proceeding."
+echo ""
+read -p "Do you want to continue? (y/N): " -n 1 -r
+echo ""
+
+if [[ ! $REPLY =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; then
+    echo "Aborted."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "Removing sensitive files from git history..."
+
+# Files to remove from history
+FILES_TO_REMOVE=(
+    "CLAUDE.md"
+    "package.json"
+    "package-lock.json"
+    "composer.json"
+    "composer.lock"
+    ".playwright-mcp/*"
+    "tests/*"
+    "*.json"
+    ".env"
+    ".env.*"
+)
+
+# Remove each file from git history
+for file in "${FILES_TO_REMOVE[@]}"; do
+    echo "Removing $file from history..."
+    git filter-branch --force --index-filter \
+        "git rm -rf --cached --ignore-unmatch $file" \
+        --prune-empty --tag-name-filter cat -- --all 2>/dev/null || true
+done
+
+echo ""
+echo "Cleaning up..."
+
+# Clean up refs
+git for-each-ref --format="%(refname)" refs/original/ | xargs -n 1 git update-ref -d
+
+# Expire reflog
+git reflog expire --expire=now --all
+
+# Garbage collect
+git gc --prune=now --aggressive
+
+echo ""
+echo "Done! Sensitive files have been removed from git history."
+echo ""
+echo "IMPORTANT NEXT STEPS:"
+echo "1. Review the changes with: git log --oneline"
+echo "2. Force push to remote: git push --force --all"
+echo "3. Tell all collaborators to re-clone the repository"
+echo "4. Update any CI/CD secrets that may have been exposed"
+echo ""
+echo "The following files are now in .gitignore and won't be committed again:"
+cat .gitignore | grep -E "CLAUDE|json|.env|playwright|test" | head -10
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/docs/developer-integration-guide.md b/docs/developer-integration-guide.md
index 2f1e439..99a4c31 100644
--- a/docs/developer-integration-guide.md
+++ b/docs/developer-integration-guide.md
@@ -8,7 +8,33 @@ This guide shows developers how to integrate their WordPress plugins with the WP
 
 Download `wpdd-plugin-updater.php` from your product page and include it in your plugin.
 
-### 2. Basic Integration
+### 2. Minimal Integration
+
+For the simplest integration with automatic license management:
+
+```php
+<?php
+/**
+ * Plugin Name: My Plugin
+ * Version: 1.0.0
+ */
+
+// Initialize updater with automatic settings page
+if (!class_exists('WPDD_Plugin_Updater') && is_admin()) {
+    require_once plugin_dir_path(__FILE__) . 'includes/wpdd-plugin-updater.php';
+    
+    new WPDD_Plugin_Updater(
+        __FILE__,
+        get_option('my_plugin_license_key', ''),
+        'https://your-store.com',
+        array('add_settings_page' => true)
+    );
+}
+```
+
+This creates a license settings page under Settings → My Plugin License.
+
+### 3. Full Integration
 
 ```php
 <?php
@@ -17,8 +43,10 @@ Download `wpdd-plugin-updater.php` from your product page and include it in your
  * Version: 1.0.0
  */
 
-// Include the WPDD updater library
-require_once plugin_dir_path(__FILE__) . 'includes/wpdd-plugin-updater.php';
+// Include the WPDD updater library (check if class exists to avoid conflicts)
+if (!class_exists('WPDD_Plugin_Updater')) {
+    require_once plugin_dir_path(__FILE__) . 'includes/wpdd-plugin-updater.php';
+}
 
 class My_Awesome_Plugin {
     
@@ -68,13 +96,18 @@ class My_Plugin_Settings {
     }
     
     private function init_updater() {
+        // Check if updater class exists
+        if (!class_exists('WPDD_Plugin_Updater')) {
+            return;
+        }
+        
         $license_key = get_option('my_plugin_license_key', '');
         
         $this->updater = new WPDD_Plugin_Updater(
-            MY_PLUGIN_FILE,
+            MY_PLUGIN_FILE,                             // Define this constant to your main plugin file
             $license_key,
             'https://your-store.com',
-            array('add_settings_page' => false) // We'll handle settings ourselves
+            array('add_settings_page' => false)         // We'll handle settings ourselves
         );
     }
     
@@ -102,7 +135,7 @@ class My_Plugin_Settings {
     
     public function render_license_section() {
         $license_key = get_option('my_plugin_license_key', '');
-        $is_valid = $this->updater->validate_license();
+        $is_valid = $this->updater ? $this->updater->validate_license() : false;
         
         ?>
         <h3>License Settings</h3>
@@ -150,6 +183,11 @@ class My_Premium_Feature {
     private $updater;
     
     public function __construct() {
+        // Include updater if not already loaded
+        if (!class_exists('WPDD_Plugin_Updater')) {
+            require_once plugin_dir_path(__FILE__) . 'includes/wpdd-plugin-updater.php';
+        }
+        
         $license_key = get_option('my_plugin_license_key', '');
         
         $this->updater = new WPDD_Plugin_Updater(
@@ -167,7 +205,8 @@ class My_Premium_Feature {
     }
     
     private function is_license_valid() {
-        return $this->updater->validate_license();
+        // Check if updater exists and validate license
+        return $this->updater ? $this->updater->validate_license() : false;
     }
     
     private function enable_premium_features() {
@@ -195,14 +234,20 @@ class My_Premium_Feature {
 
 ### WPDD_Plugin_Updater Class
 
+#### Requirements
+
+- **WordPress**: 5.0 or higher
+- **PHP**: 7.0 or higher
+- **Plugin Version Header**: Your main plugin file must include a Version header
+
 #### Constructor Parameters
 
 ```php
 new WPDD_Plugin_Updater($plugin_file, $license_key, $update_server, $args);
 ```
 
-- **$plugin_file** (string) - Full path to your main plugin file
-- **$license_key** (string) - The user's license key
+- **$plugin_file** (string) - Full path to your main plugin file (typically `__FILE__`)
+- **$license_key** (string) - The user's license key (can be empty string)
 - **$update_server** (string) - URL to your store (e.g., 'https://your-store.com')
 - **$args** (array) - Optional arguments:
   - `add_settings_page` (bool) - Auto-create license settings page (default: false)
@@ -352,10 +397,18 @@ Then visit: `wp-admin/plugins.php?force_update_check=1`
 Always handle API failures gracefully:
 
 ```php
+// Check if updater was initialized properly
+if (!$this->updater) {
+    // Handle initialization failure
+    error_log('WPDD Updater failed to initialize');
+    return;
+}
+
 $result = $updater->validate_license();
 if ($result === false) {
     // Network error or server down - allow functionality to continue
     // but maybe show a notice
+    error_log('License validation failed - network or server issue');
 }
 ```
 
@@ -388,13 +441,50 @@ if ($this->is_license_valid()) {
 }
 ```
 
+## What's New in Version 1.1.0
+
+The updated `wpdd-plugin-updater.php` includes several improvements:
+
+### Enhanced Error Handling
+- Better HTTP request error handling with status code checking
+- JSON validation to prevent parsing errors
+- Improved timeout handling (30 seconds default)
+- More detailed error logging for debugging
+
+### Improved Compatibility
+- Better API response structure handling
+- Flexible URL checking for package downloads
+- Support for different server configurations
+- Fallback values for missing data fields
+
+### Security Enhancements
+- SSL verification enabled by default
+- Proper input validation in constructor
+- Safe handling of network failures
+
+### Performance Improvements
+- 12-hour caching for update checks
+- Optimized HTTP requests with proper headers
+- Reduced unnecessary API calls
+
 ## Troubleshooting
 
 ### Common Issues
 
-1. **Updates not showing:** Check that the plugin slug matches the product slug in your store
-2. **License validation fails:** Ensure the update server URL is correct and accessible
-3. **Download fails:** Verify the license is activated and not expired
+1. **Updates not showing:** 
+   - Check that the plugin slug matches the product slug in your store
+   - Verify the plugin file has a proper Version header
+   - Clear update transients using the force update check method
+
+2. **License validation fails:** 
+   - Ensure the update server URL is correct and accessible
+   - Check that the license key is properly formatted
+   - Verify SSL certificates are valid on your server
+
+3. **Download fails:** 
+   - Verify the license is activated and not expired
+   - Check activation limits haven't been exceeded
+   - Ensure the package file exists on the server
 
 ### Debug Mode
 
diff --git a/includes/wpdd-plugin-updater.php b/includes/wpdd-plugin-updater.php
index 44c88f0..1fbb3ce 100644
--- a/includes/wpdd-plugin-updater.php
+++ b/includes/wpdd-plugin-updater.php
@@ -5,7 +5,21 @@
  * Include this file in your WordPress plugin to enable automatic updates
  * and license validation through the WP Digital Download licensing system.
  * 
- * @version 1.0.0
+ * Usage example:
+ * 
+ * // Initialize the updater
+ * if (!class_exists('WPDD_Plugin_Updater')) {
+ *     require_once 'path/to/wpdd-plugin-updater.php';
+ * }
+ * 
+ * $updater = new WPDD_Plugin_Updater(
+ *     __FILE__,                                    // Main plugin file path
+ *     get_option('my_plugin_license_key', ''),     // License key from options
+ *     'https://your-site.com',                     // Update server URL
+ *     array('add_settings_page' => true)          // Optional: Add license settings page
+ * );
+ * 
+ * @version 1.1.0
  * @author WP Digital Download
  */
 
@@ -33,9 +47,20 @@ class WPDD_Plugin_Updater {
      * @param array $args Additional arguments
      */
     public function __construct($plugin_file, $license_key, $update_server, $args = array()) {
+        // Validate required parameters
+        if (empty($plugin_file) || !file_exists($plugin_file)) {
+            error_log('WPDD Updater: Invalid plugin file path provided');
+            return;
+        }
+        
+        if (empty($update_server) || !filter_var($update_server, FILTER_VALIDATE_URL)) {
+            error_log('WPDD Updater: Invalid update server URL provided');
+            return;
+        }
+        
         $this->plugin_file = $plugin_file;
         $this->plugin_slug = basename($plugin_file, '.php');
-        $this->license_key = $license_key;
+        $this->license_key = trim($license_key);
         $this->update_server = trailingslashit($update_server);
         
         // Get plugin version from header
@@ -43,7 +68,7 @@ class WPDD_Plugin_Updater {
             require_once ABSPATH . 'wp-admin/includes/plugin.php';
         }
         $plugin_data = get_plugin_data($plugin_file);
-        $this->version = $plugin_data['Version'];
+        $this->version = $plugin_data['Version'] ?? '1.0.0';
         
         $this->transient_key = 'wpdd_update_' . $this->plugin_slug;
         
@@ -90,15 +115,16 @@ class WPDD_Plugin_Updater {
         $update_info = $this->request_update_info();
         
         if ($update_info && isset($update_info['update_available']) && $update_info['update_available']) {
+            // API returns proper structure - use it directly
             $plugin_data = array(
-                'slug' => $this->plugin_slug,
-                'plugin' => $this->plugin_file,
-                'new_version' => $update_info['version'],
-                'url' => $update_info['url'],
-                'package' => $update_info['package'],
-                'tested' => $update_info['tested'],
-                'requires' => $update_info['requires'],
-                'requires_php' => $update_info['requires_php'],
+                'slug' => $update_info['slug'] ?? $this->plugin_slug,
+                'plugin' => $update_info['plugin'] ?? $this->plugin_file,
+                'new_version' => $update_info['version'] ?? $update_info['new_version'],
+                'url' => $update_info['url'] ?? '',
+                'package' => $update_info['package'] ?? $update_info['download_url'],
+                'tested' => $update_info['tested'] ?? get_bloginfo('version'),
+                'requires' => $update_info['requires'] ?? '5.0',
+                'requires_php' => $update_info['requires_php'] ?? '7.0',
                 'compatibility' => new stdClass()
             );
             
@@ -133,19 +159,25 @@ class WPDD_Plugin_Updater {
             return $false;
         }
         
+        // Extract product name from plugin file if available
+        if (!function_exists('get_plugin_data')) {
+            require_once ABSPATH . 'wp-admin/includes/plugin.php';
+        }
+        $plugin_data = get_plugin_data($this->plugin_file);
+        
         return (object) array(
             'slug' => $this->plugin_slug,
-            'name' => $update_info['name'] ?? $this->plugin_slug,
-            'version' => $update_info['version'] ?? $this->version,
-            'author' => $update_info['author'] ?? '',
-            'homepage' => $update_info['url'] ?? '',
+            'name' => $plugin_data['Name'] ?? $this->plugin_slug,
+            'version' => $update_info['version'] ?? $update_info['new_version'] ?? $this->version,
+            'author' => $plugin_data['Author'] ?? $update_info['author'] ?? '',
+            'homepage' => $plugin_data['PluginURI'] ?? $update_info['url'] ?? '',
             'requires' => $update_info['requires'] ?? '5.0',
             'tested' => $update_info['tested'] ?? get_bloginfo('version'),
             'requires_php' => $update_info['requires_php'] ?? '7.0',
-            'download_link' => $update_info['package'] ?? '',
+            'download_link' => $update_info['package'] ?? $update_info['download_url'] ?? '',
             'sections' => array(
-                'changelog' => $update_info['changelog'] ?? '',
-                'description' => $update_info['description'] ?? ''
+                'changelog' => $update_info['changelog'] ?? $update_info['release_notes'] ?? '',
+                'description' => $plugin_data['Description'] ?? $update_info['description'] ?? ''
             ),
             'banners' => array(),
             'icons' => array()
@@ -157,7 +189,17 @@ class WPDD_Plugin_Updater {
      */
     public function maybe_download_package($reply, $package, $upgrader) {
         // Check if this is our plugin's package
-        if (strpos($package, $this->update_server) === false || strpos($package, $this->plugin_slug) === false) {
+        // More flexible URL checking - handle different URL structures
+        $server_host = parse_url($this->update_server, PHP_URL_HOST);
+        $package_host = parse_url($package, PHP_URL_HOST);
+        
+        if ($server_host !== $package_host && strpos($package, $this->plugin_slug) === false) {
+            return $reply;
+        }
+        
+        // Also check if this is a WPDD download URL pattern
+        if (strpos($package, 'wp-json/wpdd/v1/download-update') === false && 
+            strpos($package, $this->update_server) === false) {
             return $reply;
         }
         
@@ -182,10 +224,15 @@ class WPDD_Plugin_Updater {
         ), $url);
         
         $response = wp_remote_get($url, array(
-            'timeout' => 15,
+            'timeout' => 30,
+            'redirection' => 3,
+            'httpversion' => '1.1',
+            'user-agent' => 'WPDD-Updater/' . $this->version . '; ' . home_url(),
             'headers' => array(
-                'User-Agent' => 'WPDD-Updater/' . $this->version . '; ' . home_url()
-            )
+                'Accept' => 'application/json',
+                'Content-Type' => 'application/json'
+            ),
+            'sslverify' => true
         ));
         
         if (is_wp_error($response)) {
@@ -193,9 +240,25 @@ class WPDD_Plugin_Updater {
             return false;
         }
         
+        $http_code = wp_remote_retrieve_response_code($response);
+        if ($http_code !== 200) {
+            error_log('WPDD Updater: HTTP error ' . $http_code . ' when checking for updates');
+            return false;
+        }
+        
         $body = wp_remote_retrieve_body($response);
+        if (empty($body)) {
+            error_log('WPDD Updater: Empty response body when checking for updates');
+            return false;
+        }
+        
         $data = json_decode($body, true);
         
+        if (json_last_error() !== JSON_ERROR_NONE) {
+            error_log('WPDD Updater: Invalid JSON response: ' . json_last_error_msg());
+            return false;
+        }
+        
         if (!$data || !isset($data['success'])) {
             error_log('WPDD Updater: Invalid response from update server');
             return false;
@@ -208,6 +271,7 @@ class WPDD_Plugin_Updater {
             return false;
         }
         
+        // Return the data array directly - API already provides proper structure
         return $data;
     }
     
@@ -222,15 +286,19 @@ class WPDD_Plugin_Updater {
         $url = $this->update_server . 'wp-json/wpdd/v1/validate-license';
         
         $response = wp_remote_post($url, array(
-            'timeout' => 15,
+            'timeout' => 30,
+            'redirection' => 3,
+            'httpversion' => '1.1',
             'body' => array(
                 'license_key' => $this->license_key,
                 'product_slug' => $this->plugin_slug,
                 'site_url' => home_url()
             ),
             'headers' => array(
-                'User-Agent' => 'WPDD-Updater/' . $this->version . '; ' . home_url()
-            )
+                'User-Agent' => 'WPDD-Updater/' . $this->version . '; ' . home_url(),
+                'Accept' => 'application/json'
+            ),
+            'sslverify' => true
         ));
         
         if (is_wp_error($response)) {
@@ -261,7 +329,9 @@ class WPDD_Plugin_Updater {
         $url = $this->update_server . 'wp-json/wpdd/v1/activate-license';
         
         $response = wp_remote_post($url, array(
-            'timeout' => 15,
+            'timeout' => 30,
+            'redirection' => 3,
+            'httpversion' => '1.1',
             'body' => array(
                 'license_key' => $this->license_key,
                 'site_url' => home_url(),
@@ -270,8 +340,10 @@ class WPDD_Plugin_Updater {
                 'php_version' => PHP_VERSION
             ),
             'headers' => array(
-                'User-Agent' => 'WPDD-Updater/' . $this->version . '; ' . home_url()
-            )
+                'User-Agent' => 'WPDD-Updater/' . $this->version . '; ' . home_url(),
+                'Accept' => 'application/json'
+            ),
+            'sslverify' => true
         ));
         
         if (is_wp_error($response)) {
@@ -308,14 +380,18 @@ class WPDD_Plugin_Updater {
         $url = $this->update_server . 'wp-json/wpdd/v1/deactivate-license';
         
         $response = wp_remote_post($url, array(
-            'timeout' => 15,
+            'timeout' => 30,
+            'redirection' => 3,
+            'httpversion' => '1.1',
             'body' => array(
                 'license_key' => $this->license_key,
                 'site_url' => home_url()
             ),
             'headers' => array(
-                'User-Agent' => 'WPDD-Updater/' . $this->version . '; ' . home_url()
-            )
+                'User-Agent' => 'WPDD-Updater/' . $this->version . '; ' . home_url(),
+                'Accept' => 'application/json'
+            ),
+            'sslverify' => true
         ));
         
         if (is_wp_error($response)) {