{"id":123314,"date":"2026-05-19T19:42:52","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T19:42:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/make.wordpress.org\/core\/?p=123314"},"modified":"2026-05-19T19:42:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T19:42:55","slug":"wordpress-7-0-release-candidate-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/make.wordpress.org\/core\/2026\/05\/19\/wordpress-7-0-release-candidate-5\/","title":{"rendered":"WordPress 7.0 Release Candidate 5"},"content":{"rendered":"

WordPress 7.0 RC5 is ready for download and testing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This version of the WordPress software is still under development<\/strong>. Please do not install, run, or test this version of WordPress on production or mission-critical websites. Instead, it\u2019s recommended to test RC5 on a test server and site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WordPress 7.0 RC5 can be tested using any of the following methods:
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PluginPlugin<\/span> 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\/<\/a> or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/td>Install and activate the WordPress Beta Tester<\/a> plugin on a WordPress install. (Select the \u201cBleeding edgebleeding edge<\/span> The latest revision of the software, generally in development and often unstable. Also known as trunk<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u201d channel and \u201cBetaBeta<\/span> 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.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\/RCrelease candidate<\/span> 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)<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span> Only\u201d stream.)<\/td><\/tr>
Direct Download<\/strong><\/td>Download the RC5 version (zip)<\/a> and install it on a WordPress website.<\/td><\/tr>
Command Line<\/strong><\/td>Use this WP-CLI<\/a> command: wp core update --version=7.0\u2013RC5<\/code><\/td><\/tr>
WordPress Playground<\/strong><\/td>Use the WordPress Playground instance<\/a> to test the software directly in your browser.\u00a0 No setup is required \u2013 just click and go!\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The scheduled final release date for WordPress 7.0 May 20, 2026<\/strong>. The full release schedule can be found here<\/a>. Your help testing Beta and RC versions is vital to making this release as stable and powerful as possible. Thank you to everyone who helps with testing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please continue checking the Make WordPress Core blog<\/a> for 7.0-related posts<\/a> in the coming weeks for more information.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s new in WordPress <\/strong>7.0<\/strong>? Check out the Field Guide<\/a> for details and highlights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an extra RC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Testing for issues is critical to the development of any software, and testing works!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This RC is being released to test changes prior to the final release of 7.0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can browse the technical details for all issues addressed since Beta 5 using these links:<\/p>\n\n\n\n