Version 1.10.0 introduces comprehensive automatic image format conversion. Supported image types (JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF) are now seamlessly converted to optimised WebP during the build, eliminating the need for manual preprocessing. The system detects and handles transparency in PNGs, applying white backgrounds to maximize compression. These enhancements are fully integrated into the responsive image workflow, offering detailed logging, smart caching to skip unchanged files, and output quality tuning—set at 85 for large images and 80 for smaller ones.

The responsive image generation pipeline has also been significantly upgraded. Each image now automatically produces multiple sizes (400w, 800w, 1200w, 1920w) using srcset and sizes for efficient loading across devices, cutting mobile bandwidth use by up to 95%. Original files are preserved for lightbox viewing, and lazy loading has been added to further optimise performance. Enhancements to image_processor.py and ResponsiveImageGenerator enable smart, conditional processing, while maintaining backward compatibility with existing WebP assets.

Earlier improvements in 1.9.0 and 1.8.0 focused on development workflow and performance. A new watch mode monitors project directories and triggers automatic rebuilds on file changes, streamlining live development. The build system now uses watchdog for reliable file monitoring with detailed logging and configurable behaviour. In 1.8.0, Lightbox2 script loading was fixed to run only when image links are present, reducing load times and eliminating redundant script execution on text-only pages.