=================================================================
AFFILIATE PROXY LINK CLOAKER - SETUP INSTRUCTIONS
=================================================================

WHAT THIS SYSTEM DOES:
- Hides affiliate IDs from the URL address bar
- Tracks all clicks and user data
- Allows you to manage multiple affiliate links
- Shows clean URLs like: yourdomain.com/play/peachy
- While the real URL contains: affiliate.com/?id=12345

=================================================================
FILES INCLUDED:
=================================================================

1. proxy.php        - Main proxy engine (handles cloaked links)
2. admin.php        - Admin panel for managing links
3. .htaccess        - Clean URL routing (optional but recommended)
4. index.php        - Simple landing page
5. README.txt       - This setup guide

=================================================================
QUICK SETUP STEPS:
=================================================================

1. UPLOAD ALL FILES
   - Upload all files to a folder on your web hosting
   - Example: /public_html/proxyapp/ or /public_html/affiliate/

2. SET FOLDER PERMISSIONS
   - Set folder permission to 755 or 775 (so PHP can create database)

3. CHANGE ADMIN PASSWORD
   - Edit admin.php file
   - Change line: $admin_password = 'admin123';
   - Use a strong password!

4. ACCESS ADMIN PANEL
   - Visit: https://yourdomain.com/proxyapp/admin.php
   - (Replace 'proxyapp' with your folder name)
   - Login with your password

5. CREATE YOUR FIRST LINK
   - Use the form to add affiliate links
   - Example:
     * Slug: peachy
     * Target URL: https://peachygames.com/?affid=12345&btag=xyz
     * Affiliate Name: Peachy Games

6. SHARE YOUR CLOAKED LINKS
   With .htaccess (clean URLs):
   https://yourdomain.com/proxyapp/play/peachy

   Without .htaccess (basic URLs):
   https://yourdomain.com/proxyapp/proxy.php?slug=peachy

=================================================================
IMPORTANT SECURITY NOTES:
=================================================================

- CHANGE the admin password in admin.php before going live
- Keep your affiliate URLs private and secure
- Monitor your click statistics regularly
- The .htaccess file protects sensitive files

=================================================================
HOW TO USE:
=================================================================

1. CREATE LINKS: Use admin panel to add new affiliate offers
2. SHARE LINKS: Give out the clean URLs to users
3. TRACK CLICKS: View statistics in the admin panel
4. MANAGE: Activate/deactivate links as needed

=================================================================
TROUBLESHOOTING:
=================================================================

Problem: "Database connection failed"
Solution: Check folder permissions (should be 755 or 775)

Problem: "Link not found"
Solution: Make sure you created the link in admin panel first

Problem: Admin panel shows "Invalid password"
Solution: Check the password in admin.php file

Problem: Clean URLs not working
Solution: Make sure .htaccess is uploaded and your host supports mod_rewrite

=================================================================
EXAMPLE WORKFLOW:
=================================================================

1. You have: https://casino.com/?affid=ABC123&source=email
2. Create link in admin with slug: "casino-promo"
3. Share: https://yourdomain.com/play/casino-promo
4. User clicks and sees clean URL in address bar
5. They get redirected to the real affiliate offer
6. You track the click and get affiliate credit
7. User never sees your affiliate ID!

=================================================================
NEED HELP?
=================================================================

- Make sure PHP 7.4+ is enabled on your hosting
- Ensure cURL is available (most hosts have this)
- Check that SQLite is supported (standard on most hosts)
- Verify file permissions are correct

Your affiliate IDs stay hidden while still tracking properly!