WordPress 7.0.1 RC1 is now available

WordPress 7.0.1 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). 1 (RC1) is available for testing! Some ways you can help test this minor releaseMinor Release A set of releases or versions having the same minor version number may be collectively referred to as .x , for example version 5.2.x to refer to versions 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.3, and all other versions in the 5.2 (five dot two) branch of that software. Minor Releases often make improvements to existing features and functionality.:

  • Use the WordPress Beta Tester 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.
    • As this is a minor 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). release, select the Point ReleaseMinor Release A set of releases or versions having the same minor version number may be collectively referred to as .x , for example version 5.2.x to refer to versions 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.3, and all other versions in the 5.2 (five dot two) branch of that software. Minor Releases often make improvements to existing features and functionality. channel and the Nightlies stream. This is the latest build including the RC and potentially any subsequent commits in trunktrunk A directory in Subversion containing the latest development code in preparation for the next major release cycle. If you are running "trunk", then you are on the latest revision..
  • Use WP-CLI to test: wp core update https://wordpress.org/wordpress-7.0.1-RC1.zip
  • Directly download the Beta/RC version.

What’s in this release candidate?

WordPress 7.0.1 is intended as a 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.-fix only maintenance release. Tickets will be included provided they are issues introduced during the 7.0 cycle or intentionally deferred at the end of the 7.0 cycle. You can follow trac report 4 or the 7.0.x editor tasks board for proposed fixes.

WordPress 7.0.1 is led by @jorbin, @cbravobernal, @estelaris and @masteradhoc

The following coreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. tickets are included:

  • #64318 – should not be replaced by Twemoji
  • #64742PHPPHP The web scripting language in which WordPress is primarily architected. WordPress requires PHP 7.4 or higher 8.5: Incorrect array access in `wp_get_attachment_image_src`
  • #64900 – Improve `browserslist:update` Grunt task
  • #64937 – Image editor: scale and crop input size mismatch with button and info icon not using new color
  • #64999Adminadmin (and super admin) reskin: Form elements are not standardized in the mobile viewport.
  • #65122 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) issues in Visual History
  • #65224 – Add support for testing unmerged changes from 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/
  • #65270 – wp_kses() corrupts valid CSSCSS Cascading Style Sheets. background-image: url(…) declarations into style=”)” 7.0-RC4
  • #65275 – Media Library CSS Bug: Loading spinner misaligned in media modal filterFilter Filters are one of the two types of 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. toolbar
  • #65286 – major publishing action buttons are crowded in the Publish settings
  • #65296 – Library section under Media, search bar shifts position after searching in the WordPress admin area.
  • #65310 – Emoji detection script not being printed in admin
  • #65336 – global-styles-inline-css cannot be removed since 7.0
  • #65352 networknetwork (versus site, blog) credit.php 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. logo for WordPress 7.0 showing broken
  • #65389BlockBlock 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. Visibility: Keep hide-everywhere working after a block opts out of visibility support
  • #65418 – Previously copied files since deleted from the Gutenberg asset are persisting unexpectedly
  • #65428 – Scale button not aligned to dimensions on edit image screen.

The following Gutenberg PR are included:

  • #77530 – Visual RevisionsRevisions The WordPress revisions system stores a record of each saved draft or published update. The revision system allows you to see what changes were made in each revision by dragging a slider (or using the Next/Previous buttons). The display indicates what has changed in each revision.: Accessibility
  • #77750 – Block Editor: Fix blockGap fallback parsing for nested var() values.
  • #78387 – useCopyToClipboard: Always call onSuccess callback.
  • #78393 – Revisions: Use CSS outline as secondary non-color indicator for diff blocks.
  • #78426 – Image: Fix missing aria-label on lightbox trigger button for single images.
  • #78484 – Navigation: Restore block_core_navigation_submenu_render_submenu_icon() as deprecated shim.
  • #78493 – wp-build: Fix black flash on wp-admin pages before hydration.
  • #78547 – Guard PHP unit testunit test Code written to test a small piece of code or functionality within a larger application. Everything from themes to WordPress core have a series of unit tests. Also see regression. to avoid failures on old wp versions.
  • #78571 – Custom HTMLHTML HyperText Markup Language. The semantic scripting language primarily used for outputting content in web browsers.: Fix scrollbar becoming non-functional after switching tabs.
  • #79000 – Avoid dirtying related navigation entities during passive render.
  • #79048 – Navigation: Use block context to determine whether Page List is nested in Submenu.
  • #79181 – Template Part: Remove restriction on tabs / inspector fills.
  • #79350 – Mark all controlled/mode block changes non-persistent.
  • #79691 – Editor: Move focus to revisions slider when entering revisions mode.

What’s next?

Reminder: the dev-reviewed workflow (double committer sign-off) is required when making changes to the 7.0 branchbranch A directory in Subversion. WordPress uses branches to store the latest development code for each major release (3.9, 4.0, etc.). Branches are then updated with code for any minor releases of that branch. Sometimes, a major version of WordPress and its minor versions are collectively referred to as a "branch", such as "the 4.0 branch"..

The final release is expected on Thursday, July 9, 2026. This date is subject to change if any issues with RC1 are discovered. Coordination will happen in the 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/ SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/ #7-0-release-leads channel, and releases are always packaged and tested in #core.

A special thanks to everyone who reported issues, helped test, and helped create patches. The success of 7.0.1 depends on proper testing, so please lend a helping hand.

Thanks to @jorbin, @cbravobernal, and @masteradhoc for pre-publication review.

#7-0, #7-0-1, #minor-releases, #releases

#minor-releases, #release