Editor chat summary: January 9

GutenbergGutenberg The Gutenberg project is the new Editor Interface for WordPress. The editor improves the process and experience of creating new content, making writing rich content much simpler. It uses ‘blocks’ to add richness rather than shortcodes, custom HTML etc. https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/ 4.8

  • Gutenberg 4.8 is released and in WordPress 5.0.3. For the full list of change refer the release post.
  • This release was focused on bugbug A bug is an error or unexpected result. Performance improvements, code optimization, and are considered enhancements, not defects. After feature freeze, only bugs are dealt with, with regressions (adverse changes from the previous version) being the highest priority. fixes and performance improvements which are included in WordPress 5.0.3.
  • Due to the small gap between 5.0.3 RCrelease candidate One of the final stages in the version release cycle, this version signals the potential to be a final release to the public. Also see alpha (beta). and 5.1 betaBeta A pre-release of software that is given out to a large group of users to trial under real conditions. Beta versions have gone through alpha testing in-house and are generally fairly close in look, feel and function to the final product; however, design changes often occur as part of the process., Gutenberg 4.8 will be included as is in WordPress 5.1.

Release schedule

  • A new release schedule was proposed:
    • Automatically release a new pluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory https://wordpress.org/plugins/ or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party version every 2 weeks with what’s already available on the master.
    • The remaining PRs in the milestone will automatically be moved to the next release.
    • Build a zip and do a call for testing on Monday, release on Wednesday
    • This will bring more clarity to the schedule and less stress for contributors.
  • There was also a discussion to remove the RC period for the plugin, but no decision reached.

Phase 2 Scope and features

  • There is an issue starting to outline the scope for Phase 2.
  • One of the focus areas for Phase 2 is “widgets 2 blocks“. There are a bunch of PRs that require reviews and may development. Would be great to get some contributions there for those looking to help.
  • An ‘async mode’ has been introduced to batch state updates and improve the performance of the editor with long content. As part of this, there is a structural change to the data module, everyone is encouraged to test for regressions with their custom blocks
  • There is proposed a ‘Generic block editor module’, to build a post agnostic editor. This will make it easier to embed Gutenberg in other places, such as widgets screens.

Open floor

@chrisvanpatten temporarily steps down from Gutenberg docs lead due to personal priorities and @dryanpress will step up instead.

The meeting archive is here.

The agenda for the next meeting is here, please add anything you want to discuss.

#5-0-3, #meeting-notes, #editor-chat

#core-editor-summary, #docs