Application System Overhaul & Recruitment Improvements

🚀 New Features

Built-In Application System

• Added a built-in website application system for TubeCraft SMP recruitment.
• Applications can now be submitted directly through the website when internal applications are enabled.
• Added support for account-linked applications so users can track their submissions from their account area.
• Added application status tracking for applicants.
• Added review notes that can be shown to applicants from their account page.

Application Modes

• Added configurable application modes.
• Applications can now be set to internal, external, or closed.
• Internal mode uses the website application system.
• External mode allows applications to be handled through a configured external form link.
• Closed mode disables applications while keeping the Apply page informative.

Dynamic Application Questions

• Added a configurable question system for applications.
• Questions can now be edited from the admin panel.
• Added support for question categories and sections.
• Added required and optional question support.
• Added support for multiple question types.
• Added help text and placeholder support for questions.
• Application questions can now be organised into a cleaner multi-section flow.

Multi-Section Application Form

• Redesigned the application form into a section-based experience.
• Added Google Forms style application sections.
• Added progress tracking while completing the application.
• Optional skipped questions now still count correctly towards progress.
• Improved applicant navigation between sections.
• Improved the overall application submission experience.

Application Review System

• Added an admin-side application review system.
• Admins can review submitted applications from the admin panel.
• Admins can update application statuses.
• Admins can add internal review notes.
• Admins can add applicant-visible review notes.
• Improved the layout for viewing application answers.

✨ Improvements

Apply Page

• Redesigned the public Apply page.
• Added clearer open, closed, and external application states.
• Improved closed applications layout.
• Added clearer recruitment information and guidance.
• Improved account prompts for users who need to register before applying.

Account Area

• Improved the user account page.
• Users can now view their application status from their account.
• Users can now view applicant-visible review notes.
• Improved application history visibility for logged-in users.

Application Admin Controls

• Improved admin application management controls.
• Added better question editing tools.
• Added better application mode controls.
• Added warning banners when external applications are enabled.
• Improved application page organisation inside the admin panel.

Email Notifications

• Added application submission confirmation emails.
• Added HTML email support for application confirmations.
• Improved applicant communication after submitting an application.

🔒 Security & Permissions

Application Permissions

• Added permission-based controls for application management.
• Application review access can now be restricted by permission.
• Application question editing can now be restricted by permission.
• Improved protection around admin-side application tools.

Submission Protection

• Applications are linked to logged-in user accounts.
• Improved CSRF protection for application submissions.
• Improved handling to prevent duplicate active submissions.

📝 Developer Notes

This release focuses on turning TubeCraft SMP recruitment into a proper website-managed workflow. The application system is now more flexible, easier to manage, and easier for applicants to use. Staff can configure questions, control whether applications are internal, external, or closed, and review submissions directly from the admin panel.