Title: WordPress 6.9 Field Guide
Author: Amy Kamala
Published: November 25, 2025
Last modified: December 15, 2025

---

 [  ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/amykamala/) [Amy Kamala](https://profiles.wordpress.org/amykamala/)
3:23 pm _on_ November 25, 2025     
Tags: [6-9 ( 87 )](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/6-9/),
[field guide ( 35 )](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/field-guide/)   

# WordPress 6.9 Field Guide

_Edit 11/25/25: The Miscellaneous Editor Changes developer note was published after
the Field GuideField guide The field guide is a type of blogpost published on Make/
Core during the release candidate phase of the [WordPress release cycle](https://make.wordpress.org/core/handbook/about/release-cycle/).
The field guide generally lists all the dev notes published during the beta cycle.
This guide is linked in the about page of the corresponding version of WordPress,
in the release post and in the HelpHub version page.. It has been added below_.

_Edit 12/15/25_ _The Adjacent Post Navigation Changes developer note was published
after the Field Guide and has been added below._

This guide outlines major developer features and breaking changes in 6.9 and is 
published in the Release Candidaterelease 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)](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/?utm_source=chatgpt.com&output_format=md#alpha-beta).
phase to help inform _WordPress extending developers, CoreCore Core is the set of
software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. 
developers, and others_.

There are more than [400 Core Trac tickets](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&milestone=6.9&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=priority&order=priority&max=500)
included in WordPress 6.9, [over 125 of which are enhancements and feature requests](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&type=enhancement&type=feature+request&milestone=6.9&group=component&max=200&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=status&col=milestone&col=owner&col=priority&order=priority),
and [more than 250 bug fixes](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&type=defect+(bug)&milestone=6.9&group=component&max=500&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=status&col=milestone&col=owner&col=priority&order=priority).
This release includes [35+ tickets focused on the Editor](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&component=Editor&milestone=6.9&col=id&col=summary&col=status&col=milestone&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&order=priority),
[15 tickets focused on wp-admin](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?component=Administration&milestone=6.9&or&focuses=~administration&milestone=6.9&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=milestone&col=owner&col=type&col=status&col=priority&order=priority),
and [over 45 tickets focused on performance](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&focuses=~performance&milestone=6.9&or&status=closed&component=Script+Loader&milestone=6.9&or&status=closed&component=Query&milestone=6.9&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=status&col=milestone&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&order=priority).

Additionally, this release includes [440 enhancements](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues?q=(label%3A%22%5BType%5D%20Enhancement%22%20AND%20is%3Aclosed)%20AND%20(milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2020.4%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2020.5%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2020.6%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2020.7%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2020.8%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2020.9%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.0%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.1%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.2%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.3%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.4%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.5%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.6%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.7%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.8%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.9%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2022.0%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2022.1%22))
and [more than 570 bug fixes](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues?q=(label%3A%22%5BType%5D%20Bug%22%20AND%20is%3Aclosed)%20AND%20(milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2020.4%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2020.5%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2020.6%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2020.7%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2020.8%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2020.9%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.0%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.1%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.2%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.3%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.4%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.5%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.6%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.7%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.8%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2021.9%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2022.0%22%20OR%20milestone%3A%22Gutenberg%2022.1%22))
for the BlockBlock Block is the abstract term used to describe units of markup that,
composed together, form the content or layout of a webpage using the WordPress editor.
The idea combines concepts of what in the past may have achieved with shortcodes,
custom HTML, and embed discovery into a single consistent API and user experience.
Editor, Site Editor, DataViews, and other related Core APIs.

Below is a breakdown of the most important developer-related changes included in
WordPress 6.9.

---

**Table of contents**

 1.  [New Ways to Collaborate](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#site-editorblock-editor)
 2.   a. [Notes](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#notesnew-blocks-and-block-improvements)
      b. [Updates to Field API, DataViews and DataForms Components](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#updates-to-field-api-dataviews-and-dataforms-components)
 3.  [Improved Editing Tools and Architecture](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#improved-editing-tools-and-architecture)
 4.   a. [Direct Drag and Drop](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#direct-drag-and-drop)
      b. [Ability to Hide Blocks](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#ability-to-hide-blocks-1)
      c. [Iframe Integration in Post Editor](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#iframe-integration-in-post-editor-1)
      d. [Streaming Block Parser](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#streaming-block-parser)
 5.  [New Blocks and Block Improvements](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#new-blocks-and-block-improvements)
 6.   a. [Perform Calculations using π in the Math Block](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#perform-calculations-using-%CF%80-in-the-math-block)
      b. [Collapsible Content with the new Accordion Block](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#accordion-block-now-supports-anchors)
      c. [Heading Block CSS Specificity Fix](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#heading-block-css-specificity-fix)
 7.  [New & Improved APIs](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#new-improved-apis)
 8.   a. [Meet the Abilities API](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#meet-the-abilities-api)
      b. [Updates to Interactivity API](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#updates-to-interactivity-api)
      c. [Updates to HTML API](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#html-api-updatesimproved-blocks-binding-api)
      d. [Improved Block Binding API](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#improved-block-binding-api)
 9.  [Optimized Performance](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#optimized-performance)
 10.  a. [Modernizing UTF-8 Support](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#modernizing-utf-8-support)
      b. [Updated Query Cache Handling](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#updated-query-cache-handling)
      c. [Remove Support for Loading Assets Conditionally for IE](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#remove-support-for-loading-assets-conditionally-for-ie)
 11. [Accessibility Updates](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#accessibility-updates)
 12. [PHP 8.5 Support](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#php-8-5-support)
 13. [Miscellaneous Developer Changes](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#miscellaneous-developer-changes)
 14.  a. [Miscellaneous Editor Changes](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#miscellaneous-editor-changes)
      b. [Updated Admin Menu Search Query](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#updated-admin-menu-search-query)
      c. [Additional Support for HTTPS in URL-escaping Functions](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#additional-support-for-https-in-url-escaping-functions)
      d. [Improved Email Handling and Inline Image Support](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#improved-email-handling-and-inline-image-support)
      e. [Adjacent Post Navigation Query Changes](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#adjacent-post-navigation-query-changes)
 15. [AI-related Work Alongside 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#ai-related-work-alongside-6-9)
 16.  a. [PHP AI Client](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#php-ai-client)
      b. [MCP Adapter](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#mcp-adapter)
 17. [But wait, there is more!](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/wordpress-6-9-field-guide/#but-wait-there-is-more)

---

## New Ways to Collaborate

Creating and managing content with WordPress 6.9 is more versatile, with new tools
and features that encourage collaboration and increase the ease of use. Users can
now add [notes](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/66377) to blocks, 
and can take advantage of optimized DataViews and a [command palette](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/58218)
implemented [across wp-admin](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/71030).

### Notes

In WordPress 6.9 editors can write notes and reply to others directly at the individual
block level, allowing teams to collaborate, track changes, and provide feedback 
during the editing process. Notes can be resolved, edited, deleted, and email notifications
are sent to the post author when a new one is left.

> [Notes feature in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/15/notes-feature-in-wordpress-6-9/)

### Updates to Field APIAPI An API or Application Programming Interface is a software intermediary that allows programs to interact with each other and share data in limited, clearly defined ways., DataViews and DataForms Components

This release also comes with upgrades to the Field API as well as the DataViews 
and DataForms components.

In the [Field API](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/11/dataviews-dataform-et-al-in-wordpress-6-9/#field-api)
the field `type` has been expanded to include more than 10 new field types, 11+ `
edit` controls that support validation, over 16 filterFilter Filters are one of 
the two types of Hooks [https://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API/Hooks](https://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API/Hooks).
They provide a way for functions to modify data of other functions. They are the
counterpart to Actions. Unlike Actions, filters are meant to work in an isolated
manner, and should never have side effects such as affecting global variables and
output. operators and user-input filters in `filterBy`, `readOnly` options to disable
field editing, and so much more. Updated [DataViews](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/11/dataviews-dataform-et-al-in-wordpress-6-9/#dataviews)
functions include improvements to modals and text-based `actions`, infinite scroll,
and the ability to build custom layouts with `children` that leverage DataViews’
internal state management and data handling logic. DataViews also now persists via
[`@wordpress/views`](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/11/dataviews-dataform-et-al-in-wordpress-6-9/#dataviews-persistence)
while DataForms now has an improved `panel`, new card and row layouts, and revamped
controlled validation.

> [DataViews, DataForm, et al. in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/11/dataviews-dataform-et-al-in-wordpress-6-9/)

## Improved Editing Tools and Architecture

WordPressers can now drag and drop blocks more easily, [hide](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/50756)
blocks with a click, and use the new `WP_Block_Processor` class to convert documents
into a block structure, while page architecture is improved with the continued integration
of `iframes`.

### Direct Drag and Drop

[Drag and drop](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/10/28/gutenberg-21-9-october-22/#direct-drag-and-drop)
has been improved, with the ability to [directly move blocks around](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/67470)
within the site editor instead of a drag chip, for a faster, easier, and more intuitive
editing experience.

### Ability to Hide Blocks

WordPress 6.9 allows editors to hide and reveal blocks with a simple click.

> [Ability to Hide Blocks in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/12/01/ability-to-hide-blocks/)

### Iframeiframe iFrame is an acronym for an inline frame. An iFrame is used inside a webpage to load another HTML document and render it. This HTML document may also contain JavaScript and/or CSS which is loaded at the time when iframe tag is parsed by the user’s browser. Integration in Post Editor

As [part of an ongoing initiative](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/29/blocks-in-an-iframed-template-editor/)
to move the post editor into an `iframe`, a few changes have been made to help with
this transition:

 1. The [block.json schema](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/blob/trunk/schemas/json/block.json)
    now only allows`apiVersion` `3` for new or updated blocks.
 2. A warning will be displayed in the browser console when a block is registered using`
    apiVersion` `1` or `2`. 

These changes aim to help developers migrate their blocks to use `apiVersion` 3 
with the plan to fully place the editor within an `iframe` in WordPress 7.0. While
this change has been researched and tested at length, additional testing is needed
by block and 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/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/)
or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. developers to make any necessary
improvements in future releases.

> [Preparing the Post Editor for Full iframe Integration](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/12/preparing-the-post-editor-for-full-iframe-integration/)

### Streaming Block Parser

WordPress 6.9 includes a new `WP_Block_Processor` tool for scanning block structure
in HTMLHTML HyperText Markup Language. The semantic scripting language primarily
used for outputting content in web browsers. documents. The new class walks through
the document to analyze or adjust the block structure while showing a structural
view without affecting text, converting documents into a nested array of block information
and parsed JSONJSON JSON, or JavaScript Object Notation, is a minimal, readable 
format for structuring data. It is used primarily to transmit data between a server
and web application, as an alternative to XML. attributes.

> [Introducing the streaming block parser in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/19/introducing-the-streaming-block-parser-in-wordpress-6-9/)

## New Blocks and Block Improvements

An expanded block library with new and upgraded blocks is bundled into 6.9, which
includes a new math block, new accordion block, [terms query block](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/70720),
comments link and comments count blocks, and improved heading and [time to read](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/53776)
blocks. This release also contains modified text editing abilities with [fitText block support](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/71904)
that enables automatic font size adjustment to fit text within its container boundaries(
and much more).

### Perform Calculations using **_π_** in the Math Block

The [new Math block](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/72182) adds support
for MathML and LaTeX renderers to display math in either block or inline mode, which
can be added in any rich text field including tables, headings, and lists.

### Collapsible Content with the new Accordion Block

The new [Accordion Block](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/21584) in
6.9 supports custom styling and pattern capabilitiescapability A **capability** 
is permission to perform one or more types of task. Checking if a user has a capability
is performed by the `current_user_can` function. Each user of a WordPress site might
have some permissions but not others, depending on their role. For example, users
who have the Author role usually have permission to edit their own posts (the “edit_posts”
capability), but not permission to edit other users’ posts (the “edit_others_posts”
capability).. Learn [how to style accordion blocks here](https://developer.wordpress.org/news/2025/10/styling-accordions-in-wordpress-6-9/).

![](https://developer.wordpress.org/news/files/2025/10/accordion-toggle-styled-1536x795.
webp)

### Heading Block CSSCSS Cascading Style Sheets. Specificity Fix

6.9 includes a [refined CSS selector for padding in headings](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/12/heading-block-css-specificity-fix-in-wordpress-6-9)
that have a background, which now targets headings with both`**.**wp-block-heading`
and`.has-background` classes to ensure padding customizations affect only the intended
block.

> [Heading Block CSS Specificity Fix in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/12/heading-block-css-specificity-fix-in-wordpress-6-9/)

## New & Improved APIs

### Meet the Abilities API

The Abilities API enables WordPress Core, plugins, and themes to register their 
functionality in a unified, standardized, machine-readable format. The Abilities
API is part of the broader [AI Building Blocks for WordPress](https://make.wordpress.org/ai/2025/07/17/ai-building-blocks)
initiative to build the tools needed for extenders to integrate AI tools into WordPress
in a native way.

> [Abilities API in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/10/abilities-api-in-wordpress-6-9/)

### Updates to Interactivity API

In WordPress 6.9 the Interactivity API now offers a standardized way to assign unique
IDs to Interactivity API directives, allowing website elements to be given multiple
similar directives without conflicts. The `getServerState(`) and `getServerContext()`
functions have been updated, and a new algorithm optimizes script and stylesheet
handling, enhanced support for router regions in interactive elements, and adds 
a new `attachTo` property that acts as a CSS selector pointing to the parent element
for router rendering.

> [Changes to the Interactivity API in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/12/changes-to-the-interactivity-api-in-wordpress-6-9/)

### Updates to HTML API

The HTML API has been refined in 6.9, with multiple 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 enhancements. The `WP_HTML_Processor::serialize_token()`is now public,
extending the safety of the HTML API to outside code modifying and combining HTML,
while `set_modifiable_text()` now rejects SCRIPT element contents that could disturb
its normal closing.

> [Updates to the HTML API in 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/21/updates-to-the-html-api-in-6-9/)

### Improved Block Binding API

The updated Block Bindings interface in 6.9 focuses on usability, with the added
ability to switch between sources, and bind or unbind attributes with a single click,
while the new `block_bindings_supported_attributes_{$block_type}`filter facilitates
customizing how a block’s attributes connect to a Block Bindings source.

> [Block Bindings improvements in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/12/block-bindings-improvements-in-wordpress-6-9/)

## Optimized Performance

WordPress 6.9 delivers significant performance improvements designed to improve 
the site loading experience for visitors. Improvements to LCP (Largest Contentful
Paint) metric are achieved by implementing on-demand block styles for classic themes,
minifying block theme styles, and increasing the limit for inline styles—all of 
which reduce render blocking. The critical rendering path is decongested by deprioritizing
non-critical scripts (e.g. for interactive blocks and emoji detection) which had
competed with loading resources like the LCP element’s image. Page stability is 
also improved by preventing the Video block from causing layout shifts.

Many other enhancements are shipped, such as optimized database queries, improved
caching, better spawning of WP Cron, and a new template enhancementenhancement Enhancements
are simple improvements to WordPress, such as the addition of a hook, a new feature,
or an improvement to an existing feature. output buffer which opens the door for
many future optimizations which were previously impossible.

> [WordPress 6.9 Frontend Performance Field Guide](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/18/wordpress-6-9-frontend-performance-field-guide/)

### Modernizing UTF-8 Support

A new fallback pipeline written in PHPPHP The web scripting language in which WordPress
is primarily architected. WordPress requires PHP 7.4 or higher enables WordPress
6.9 to process text encoding and UTF-8 handling independently of the running environment,
bringing more reliability across WordPress environments and for themes and plugins
that work with international content, emojis and the like.

> [Modernizing UTF-8 support in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/18/modernizing-utf-8-support-in-wordpress-6-9/)

### Updated Query Cache Handling

The 6.9 release changes how cache keys are created when caching queries performed
through `WP_Query`. While persistent object cache drop-ins should not be affected,
developers and web hosts should make note of the changes and take advantage of the
four new functions introduced.

> [Consistent Cache Keys for Query Groups in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/17/consistent-cache-keys-for-query-groups-in-wordpress-6-9/)

### Remove Support for Loading Assets Conditionally for IE

WordPress 6.9 removes support for [enqueing scripts and styles with legacy conditional statements](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/63821)
that target specific versions of Internet Explorer conditional. All remaining related
[checks have also been removed](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/58836) from
the default themes, an effort that began in #[56699](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/56699).
The code related to [Genericons has also been updated](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/62128)
for themes that included this webfont.

> [Legacy Internet Explorer Code Removed](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/19/legacy-internet-explorer-code-removed/)

## AccessibilityAccessibility Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design ensures both “direct access” (i.e. unassisted) and “indirect access” meaning compatibility with a person’s assistive technology (for example, computer screen readers). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility) Updates

WordPress 6.9 includes [10 enhancements and 23 bug fixes](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?focuses=~accessibility&milestone=6.9&group=type&col=id&col=summary&col=milestone&col=owner&col=type&col=status&col=priority&order=priority)
focused on accessibility, offering new and improved screen reader notifications,
improved semantics and focus management, and updated CSS generated content to prevent
excess content from being read.

> [Accessibility Improvements in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/19/accessibility-improvements-in-wordpress-6-9/)

## PHP 8.5 Support

WordPress 6.9 has added “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.
support” for PHP 8.5, addressing all known incompatibilities, warnings, and notices
while maintaining support for older PHP versions (currently 7.2 and up). As a reminder,“
Beta support” is a [label applied to versions of PHP that have less than 10% usage](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/07/07/proposal-remove-the-beta-support-label-from-php-8-3-for-wordpress-6-8/)
across all WordPress sites.

> [PHP 8.5 support in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/21/php-8-5-support-in-wordpress-6-9/)

## Miscellaneous Developer Changes

A range of additional developer-related updates improve both the user experience
and the development experience. These changes span various areas of WordPress Core,
including media, multisitemultisite Used to describe a WordPress installation with
a network of multiple blogs, grouped by sites. This installation type has shared
users tables, and creates separate database tables for each blog (wp_posts becomes
wp_0_posts). See also **network**, **blog**, **site**, new hooksHooks In WordPress
theme and development, hooks are functions that can be applied to an action or a
Filter in WordPress. Actions are functions performed when a certain event occurs
in WordPress. Filters allow you to modify certain functions. Arguments used to hook
both filters and actions look the same., and browser interactions. While individually
minor, they collectively reflect ongoing efforts to enhance usability in WordPress
and provide a more predictable and flexible foundation for developers.

> [Miscellaneous Developer-focused Changes in 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/17/miscellaneous-developer-focused-changes-in-6-9/)

### Miscellaneous Editor Changes

The 6.9 release also brings a number of miscellaneous developer-focused changes 
within the Block Editor. Be sure to read this dev notedev note Each important change
in WordPress Core is documented in a developers note, (usually called dev note).
Good dev notes generally include a description of the change, the decision that 
led to this change, and a description of how developers are supposed to work with
that change. Dev notes are published on Make/Core blog during the beta phase of 
WordPress release cycle. Publishing dev notes is particularly important when plugin/
theme authors and WordPress developers need to be aware of those changes.In general,
all dev notes are compiled into a Field Guide at the beginning of the release candidate
phase. so you’re up to speed!

> [Miscellaneous Editor Changes in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/25/miscellaneous-editor-changes-in-wordpress-6-9/)

### Updated Adminadmin (and super admin) Menu Search Query

In WordPress 6.9, the search query used by the admin menu has changed from `$_SERVER['
QUERY_STRING']` to `$_GET`. This makes the search behavior more predictable and 
avoids issues caused by depending on the raw query string. Extensions that override
or inspect admin menu search behavior should review any assumptions about how the
menu search value is retrieved.

> [Admin menu search query changed](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/19/admin-menu-search-query-changed/)

### Additional Support for HTTPSHTTPS HTTPS is an acronym for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure. HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP, the protocol over which data is sent between your browser and the website that you are connected to. The 'S' at the end of HTTPS stands for 'Secure'. It means all communications between your browser and the website are encrypted. This is especially helpful for protecting sensitive data like banking information. in URLURL A specific web address of a website or web page on the Internet, such as a website’s URL www.wordpress.org-escaping Functions

In WordPress 6.9, the `esc_url()`, `esc_url_raw()` and `sanitize_url()` functions
can now be configured to prepend `https://` to a URL that does not already contain
a scheme by default when the first item in the `$protocols` array is `'https'`.

> [URL-escaping functions can support HTTPS as the default protocol in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/19/url-escaping-functions-can-support-https-as-the-default-protocol-in-wordpress-6-9/)

### Improved Email Handling and Inline Image Support

WordPress 6.9 introduces several updates that make the email system more reliable
and more flexible for developers. The `wp_mail()` function now sets sender addresses
in an extensibleExtensible This is the ability to add additional functionality to
the code. Plugins extend the WordPress core software. way, protects encoding headers
between calls, and leans more consistently on PHPMailer for content type handling.
Many long standing bugs around headerHeader The header of your site is typically
the first thing people will experience. The masthead or header art located across
the top of your page is part of the look and feel of your website. It can influence
a visitor’s opinion about your content and you/ your organization’s brand. It may
also look different on different screen sizes. handling and message formatting have
also been resolved.

> [More-reliable email in WordPress 6.9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/11/18/more-reliable-email-in-wordpress-6-9/)

This release also adds support for inline and embedded images in HTML emails, allowing
developers to send richer message templates without relying on external image URLs.
Email content that uses `cid:` based references can now render images directly inside
the message, opening up cleaner options for branded notifications, transactional
emails, and plugin generated workflows.

> [Prettier Emails: Supporting Inline Embedded Images](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/09/04/prettier-emails-supporting-inline-embedded-images/)

### Adjacent Post Navigation Query Changes

SQL queries triggered by `get_adjacent_post()`functions have been updated in 6.9
as part of a bug fix. This change does change query handling in the Storefront theme
and any themes that are a derivative of Storefront. Follow TracTrac An open source
project by Edgewall Software that serves as a bug tracker and project management
tool for WordPress. #[64390](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/64390) for more
details.

> [Adjacent Post Navigation Changes in WordPress 6.9 and Compatibility Issues](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2025/12/10/adjacent-post-navigation-changes-in-wordpress-6-9-and-compatibility-issues/)

## AI-related Work Alongside 6.9

### PHP AI Client

The new [PHP AI Client SDK](https://github.com/WordPress/php-ai-client) facilitates
integration of AI abilities with plugins and PHP projects. The interface works with
all AI providers, and developers can specify which AI abilities to include, which
provider, and which model to use. Credentials are centrally managed and work across
all compatible plugins.

> [PHP AI Client](https://make.wordpress.org/ai/2025/07/17/php-ai-api/)

### MCP Adapter

The new [MCP Adapter](https://github.com/WordPress/mcp-adapter) utilizes [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/)(
MCP) to standardize the application’s interactions with LLMs, expose abilities to
AI assistants, and connect with other MCP servers. This allows WordPress to act 
as both server and client, registering its capabilities through the Abilities API
for AI assistants to discover and use, while also integrating with other MCP servers,
making it possible to leverage external AI tools within WordPress.

> [MCP Adapter](https://make.wordpress.org/ai/2025/07/17/mcp-adapter/)

## But wait, there is more!

6.9 offers so much more!  More than [250](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&type=defect+(bug)&milestone=6.9&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=owner&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority)
bugs, [123](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&type=enhancement&type=feature+request&milestone=6.9&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=owner&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority)
enhancements and feature requests, and [22](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&type=task+(blessed)&milestone=6.9&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=owner&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority)
blessed tasks have been [marked as fixed in WordPress 6.9](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&milestone=6.9&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority).

Below are a few more to highlight:

 * Abilities API: Roadmap to WP 6.9: defining and deciding ([AI-83](https://github.com/WordPress/abilities-api/issues/83))
 * Accessibility: Navigation block: fix submenu Escape key behavior ([GB-69834](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/69834))
 * Editor: Button Block: Add HTML Element selection in Advanced settings  (Accessibility)(
   [GB-70139](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/70139))
 * Editor: Enable the Command Palette everywhere in admin dashboard ([GB-58218](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/58218))
 * Editor: New block additions for the Block Library ([GB-71026](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/71026))
 * Editor: Toolbar: Adjust colors for dark mode support  ([GB-66454](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/66454))
 * General: Replace deprecated / non-standard CSS for `speak` and `aural` (accessibility)(
   [GB-63603](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/63603))
 * Global Styles: Move `Randomize colors` button to Edit Palette panel ([GB-66169](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/66169))

**_Thank you to everyone who contributed to this version of WordPress, whether through
code, testing, or something else – your contributions matter and help Make WordPress._**

_Props to _[@desrosj](https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/), [@jorbin](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jorbin/),
[@sabernhardt](https://profiles.wordpress.org/sabernhardt/), [@joedolson](https://profiles.wordpress.org/joedolson/),
[@priethor](https://profiles.wordpress.org/priethor/), [@jeffpaul](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/),
[@westonruter](https://profiles.wordpress.org/westonruter/), [@davidbaumwald](https://profiles.wordpress.org/davidbaumwald/),
[@akshayar](https://profiles.wordpress.org/akshayar/)_, and _[@annezazu](https://profiles.wordpress.org/annezazu/)_
for review._

[#6-9](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/6-9/), [#field-guide](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/field-guide/)

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 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/71f944cbfac8a7af810c24254f60ebb02427097952fbd38588b7d25c9ed15574?
    s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 2.  [Nasim Miah](https://profiles.wordpress.org/muddassirnasim/)  1:55 am _on_ November
    28, 2025
 3. +make.wordpress.orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created
    and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress
    core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations
    and organization. [https://wordpress.org/](https://wordpress.org/)/accessibilityAccessibility
    Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers to the design of products, devices,
    services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible
    design ensures both “direct access” (i.e. unassisted) and “indirect access” meaning
    compatibility with a person’s assistive technology (for example, computer screen
    readers). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility)/
 4. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2b851d094dfa6b2157bc706a95f5b3d27a1d09336ea787f8d525917928ce7017?
    s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 5.  [Clifford Paulick](https://profiles.wordpress.org/cliffpaulick/)  3:36 am _on_
    December 5, 2025
 6. ooh, that’s some _nice_ stuff!

Comments are closed.

# Post navigation

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