WordPress July Roundup (2023): WordPress Development Cycle, WordPress 6.3 Major Highlights, and much more

WordPress July Roundup (2023): WordPress Development Cycle, WordPress 6.3 Major Highlights, and much more

Greetings, WordPress Enthusiasts! As we dive into the scorching month of July with a Roundup, the WordPress community has been buzzing with excitement about the upcoming WordPress 6.3 for 2023.

This month’s roundup will give you a comprehensive overview of the development cycle for WordPress 6.3, shedding light on its major feature highlights, including the highly anticipated Synced Patterns, Interactivity API, and Behavior UI bundle, along with the impressive Details Block. Not only that, but we’ll also explore the latest updates on the revolutionary Gutenberg editor, delve into the LearnWP initiative, and much more. So buckle up, and let’s embark on this thrilling journey through the July 2023 Roundup of WordPress!

WordPress 6.3 Development Update

WordPress version 6.3 is under RC 3, and will be available for everyone on August 8, 2023. This upcoming release, WordPress 6.3, represents the second significant update for the year 2023 and signifies the completion of Phase 2 in the project’s development roadmap.

The primary goal of WordPress 6.3 is to deliver a unified and seamless site editing experience, achieved through the introduction of enhanced features, intuitive interfaces, and a dedicated emphasis on refinement.

WordPress 6.3 Major Features Highlights

WordPress 6.3 is set to unveil a range of remarkable features that every user should be aware of. Let’s explore some of the highlighted functionalities that will be introduced with this version:

Synced Patterns

As the saying goes, ‘If I had a nickel for every time a developer asked for synced patterns…’ 

Well, it seems that wish is soon becoming a reality! 

Synced patterns will replace Reusable blocks, streamlining the creation process for new pattern functionality. Introduced in WordPress 5.5, patterns are pre-designed collections of blocks that enable users to easily add complex layouts and designs to their websites without starting from scratch. 

With the upcoming release on August 8th, users will have the flexibility to arrange blocks in endless ways and save them as patterns directly within the editing experience. Furthermore, users can choose to sync their patterns, applying changes globally, or keep them unsynced for individual customization.

Though there are known issues being addressed, this is a significant leap towards empowering every WordPress developer with the invaluable tool of synced/updatable patterns.

Interactivity API and Behavior UI bundle

WordPress 6.3 introduces the Interactivity API, a standard for creating interactive front-end elements, bundled within the Gutenberg plugin. While currently in its experimental phase, this inclusion allows contributors to test and refine ideas using the API. 

Notable experiments include a light-box feature on the Image block, leveraging the new Behaviors UI, and an experimental integration with the File block. To explore and test these features, navigate to Gutenberg > Experiments in your WordPress admin and enable the Interactivity API and Behaviors UI setting. 

While a public API might not be included in WordPress 6.3, early testing and feedback pave the way for potential integration in version 6.4.

Details Block

Gutenberg 15.8 introduced an experimental Details block, which will now become stable and ship with WordPress 6.3. 

Gutenberg Updates

In July, there were two Gutenberg releases, primarily dedicated to maintenance, and addressing issues, while introducing a few selective new features.

Gutenberg 16.2 released on 12 July, 2023. This version of Gutenberg brings in features like Consolidated patterns block, Improvements to Footnotes, Vertical Text Orientation, and 50+ bug fixes. Read about this release in detail by clicking here.

Gutenberg 16.3 released on 26 July, 2023. This version of Gutenberg brings in features like Focus Mode for Patterns, Sticky Header Bar for Patterns Page, and a new drop-down menu added to patterns. Read about this release in detail by clicking here.

LearnWP

LearnWP is a platform designed to provide valuable resources and learning opportunities for individuals at all levels of experience with WordPress. Multiple resources released from LearnWP this month:

Upcoming WordCamps

  • WordCamp Kampala: August 5th – August 6th, 2023
  • WordCamp Nairobi, Kenya: August 16th – August 17th, 2023
  • Community Summit 2023: August 22nd – August 23rd, 2023
  • WordCamp US: August 24th – August 26th, 2023
  • WordCamp Denmark: August 26th – August 27th, 2023

Parting Notes

I hope you enjoyed the July 2023 Roundup of WordPress. Share your thoughts at [email protected]. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates directly to your inbox.

Until next time, happy WordPressing!

Goodbye!

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