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description: Session Summary - Unified Location Management & Address Validation
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# Session Summary - January 17, 2026 (Unified Location Management)

This session focused on implementing a robust, centralized location management system and integrating it across the entire platform, from product management to the checkout flow.

## 1. Database Schema Enhancements
- **New Tables**: Created `states` and `cities` tables to allow structured location management.
- **User Details Update**: Added `ship_same_as_billing` (TINYINT) to the `user_details` table to persist user preferences.
- **Cleanup**: Dropped the legacy and redundant `product_locations` table once migration was complete.

## 2. Admin & Vendor Management
- **Centralized Management Page**: Created `__admin__/manage-locations.php` featuring a tabbed interface for adding and deleting States and Cities.
- **Insert/Edit Product Sync**:
    - Updated `__admin__/insert-product.php` and `__admin__/edit-product.php` to fetch product locations from the new `cities` table.
    - Updated `vendorportal/products/add-product.php` and `vendorportal/products/edit-product.php` for the same consistency.

## 3. Cart & Checkout Improvements
- **Dynamic Address Forms**:
    - Replaced text inputs with dynamic `<select>` dropdowns for State and City in `my-cart.php`.
    - Implemented AJAX fetching of Cities based on the selected State.
- **Persistent Preferences**:
    - The "Same as Billing" checkbox now saves its state to the database immediately via AJAX.
    - On refresh, the form automatically hides/shows the shipping section based on this preference.
- **Address Validation**:
    - Implemented strict server-side validation in `my-cart.php` (during checkout submission) and `checkout.php`.
    - Users are blocked from purchasing if billing or shipping data (when unique) is missing or hasn't been saved.

## 4. Frontend Shop Experience
- **Filtered Navigation**: Updated the "Product Location" filters on `shop.php`, `category.php`, and `sub-category.php` to use the new `cities` table.

## 5. Technical Improvements
- **AJAX Actions (`ajax_action.php`)**:
    - Added `get_cities_by_state` and `toggle_same_as_billing` handlers.
    - Enhanced `update_address` to automatically resolve numeric State IDs to their readable names before saving to the DB.
- **Theme Consistency**: All new admin pages adhere to the `admin-professional.css` design system.

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**Status**: Core Location System Fully Implemented.
