The WordPress coreCoreCore is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. development team builds WordPress! Follow this site for general updates, status reports, and the occasional code debate. There’s lots of ways to contribute:
Found a bugbugA 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.?Create a ticket in the bug tracker.
Edits: 03/10/26 Add security BetaBetaA 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. 4, 3/19/26 Update date for RC1, 4/5/26 Update to reflect delay
WordPress 7.0 is scheduled for release on April 9, 2026! Below is the proposed calendar with expected start times for each release party, and the release squad contributors involved in release parties for the upcoming 7.0 milestone.
This release party schedule will stay in effect during the Release Candidaterelease candidateOne 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). phase and the final release of WordPress 7.0. This enables contributors to attend and assist with release testing during the final weeks of the release cycle.
As always, there may be last-minute adjustments. The release squad will do its best to communicate any changes promptly by publishing a post on the change, and updating this post as the canonical reference.
Emcee / Release LeadRelease LeadThe community member ultimately responsible for the Release.
CommittercommitterA developer with commit access. WordPress has five lead developers and four permanent core developers with commit access. Additionally, the project usually has a few guest or component committers - a developer receiving commit access, generally for a single release cycle (sometimes renewed) and/or for a specific component.
@audrasjb Committing from WordCampWordCampWordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. Nice Contributor DayContributor DayContributor Days are standalone days, frequently held before or after WordCamps but they can also happen at any time. They are events where people get together to work on various areas of https://make.wordpress.org/ There are many teams that people can participate in, each with a different focus. https://2017.us.wordcamp.org/contributor-day/https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/!
RCrelease candidateOne 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). 1
Everyone is encouraged to attend WordCamp Asia, but traveling and attending the event is not required to participate in the General Release Party. The release party will still happen in the #core channel in SlackSlackSlack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/.
@desrosj is leading the coordination between the release squad and WordCamp Asia organizing team for the Dry Run and General Release schedules. More details will be announced as soon as they are finalized.
