> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.norrnext.com/norrcompetition/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.norrnext.com/norrcompetition/plugins/norrcompetition-notifications.md).

# NorrCompetition Notifications

Extended email notifications on contest entries for NorrCompetition.

### 1. Getting Started

**NorrCompetition Notifications** (`plg_competition_notifications`) is an event-driven notification plugin that sends automated email alerts to contestants when the status of their submitted entries changes.

Whenever a moderator approves, unpublishes, declines, or publishes an entry, or when votes are cast or cancelled, the plugin automatically dispatches localized email notifications to the contestant.

### 2. Installation & Updates

1. Install the plugin package via **System > Install > Extensions** in the Joomla Administrator panel.
2. Navigate to **System > Plugins** and search for `Competition - Notifications`.
3. Enable the plugin and configure notification actions.
4. On the **Download Key** tab, enter your NorrNext Download Key to receive one-click updates via the Joomla Update System.

### 3. Configuration

Open the plugin in **System > Plugins > Competition - Notifications** to configure which actions trigger email notifications.

#### 3.1. Plugin Tab (Entry Actions)

| Parameter       | Type                | Default | Description                                                                                    |
| --------------- | ------------------- | ------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Published**   | Switcher (Yes / No) | `No`    | Dispatches an email notification when an entry is published.                                   |
| **Unpublished** | Switcher (Yes / No) | `No`    | Dispatches an email notification when an entry is unpublished.                                 |
| **Approved**    | Switcher (Yes / No) | `No`    | Dispatches an email notification when a pending entry is approved by a moderator.              |
| **Unapproved**  | Switcher (Yes / No) | `No`    | Dispatches an email notification when an approved entry is moved back to the moderation queue. |
| **Declined**    | Switcher (Yes / No) | `No`    | Dispatches an email notification when an entry submission is declined (moved to trash).        |
| **Voting**      | Switcher (Yes / No) | `No`    | Dispatches an email notification when an entry receives a new vote.                            |
| **Unvote**      | Switcher (Yes / No) | `No`    | Dispatches an email notification when an existing vote for the entry is revoked/cancelled.     |

{% hint style="info" %}
Make sure the plugin is **Enabled** (Published) in the plugin manager; otherwise, no notification events will be processed.
{% endhint %}

### 4. Email Templates & Customization

The plugin formats email notifications using localized templates. Notifications are delivered in the contestant's preferred language (if set in their user profile) or in the default site language.

All notifications provide both Plain Text and HTML formats and support the following dynamic replacement tags:

| Placeholder Tag     | Replaced Content                                         |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| `{CONTESTANT_NAME}` | Name of the contestant who submitted the entry.          |
| `{ENTRY_TITLE}`     | Title of the participant entry.                          |
| `{ENTRY_URL}`       | Direct frontend URL to the entry page.                   |
| `{CONTEST_TITLE}`   | Title of the contest hosting the entry.                  |
| `{CONTEST_URL}`     | Direct frontend URL to the contest page.                 |
| `{SITENAME}`        | The site name configured in Joomla Global Configuration. |

#### Language Override Keys

You can customize notification wording and layouts using standard Joomla Language Overrides (**System > Manage > Language Overrides**):

* `PLG_COMPETITION_NOTIFICATIONS_MAIL_ENTRY_APPROVED_SUBJECT` / `..._BODY` / `..._BODY_HTML`
* `PLG_COMPETITION_NOTIFICATIONS_MAIL_ENTRY_UNAPPROVED_SUBJECT` / `..._BODY` / `..._BODY_HTML`
* `PLG_COMPETITION_NOTIFICATIONS_MAIL_ENTRY_PUBLISHED_SUBJECT` / `..._BODY` / `..._BODY_HTML`
* `PLG_COMPETITION_NOTIFICATIONS_MAIL_ENTRY_UNPUBLISHED_SUBJECT` / `..._BODY` / `..._BODY_HTML`
* `PLG_COMPETITION_NOTIFICATIONS_MAIL_ENTRY_TRASHED_SUBJECT` / `..._BODY` / `..._BODY_HTML`
* `PLG_COMPETITION_NOTIFICATIONS_MAIL_ENTRY_VOTED_SUBJECT` / `..._BODY` / `..._BODY_HTML`
* `PLG_COMPETITION_NOTIFICATIONS_MAIL_ENTRY_UNVOTED_SUBJECT` / `..._BODY` / `..._BODY_HTML`