Title: Twenty Twenty-Three default theme — Project kickoff Author: Channing Ritter Published: August 10, 2022 Last modified: August 11, 2022 --- [ ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/critterverse/) [Channing Ritter](https://profiles.wordpress.org/critterverse/) 6:31 pm _on_ August 10, 2022 Tags: core-themes-projects    # Twenty Twenty-Three default theme — Project kickoff [⌊GIF that rotates through 5 different variations (on both a mobile and desktop size) showing how the styles might appear across sites with different types of imagery.⌉⌊ GIF that rotates through 5 different variations (on both a mobile and desktop size) showing how the styles might appear across sites with different types of imagery .⌉[ Hey, everyone! After sharing a [proposal](https://make.wordpress.org/design/2022/07/19/proposal-a-new-kind-of-default-theme/) for a new approach to this year’s default theme that would emphasize a diverse collection of style variations, there were a lot of positive replies and notes from folks who’d like to be involved in the process. With the help of [@mikachan](https://profiles.wordpress.org/mikachan/), we now have a [repository](https://github.com/WordPress/twentytwentythree) for a stripped-back and minimal version of Twenty Twenty-Two, which can serve as our base theme. I wanted to use this post to outline some of the process and timeline details around the collaborative format we’ll use to create style variations for the TT3 theme. ## First, a look at the base theme Figma link: [https://www.figma.com/community/file/1139275543113752375](https://www.figma.com/community/file/1139275543113752375) [⌊Template layouts for the Twenty Twenty-Three base theme: Homepage, Single page, Archive page, Single post, 404 page, and Blog alt.⌉⌊Template layouts for the Twenty Twenty-Three base theme: Homepage, Single page, Archive page, Single post, 404 page, and Blog alt.⌉[ [⌊Styles for the Twenty Twenty-Three. base theme, including typography sizes for desktop and mobile, colors, and button states.⌉⌊Styles for the Twenty Twenty-Three. base theme, including typography sizes for desktop and mobile, colors, and button states.⌉[ [@beafialho](https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/) made a few changes to TT2 in order to strip it down to a bare, unopinionated canvas: * The largest heading sizes have been scaled down * Different color styles have been applied * The serif font for headings has been replaced by system sans serif font * Images have been removed * GutenbergGutenberg The Gutenberg project is the new Editor Interface for WordPress.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/](https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/) fluid typography and spacing presets functionality have been added Bea also made four style variations to demonstrate how dramatically different the look & feel of each of the variations can be: One important note is that we are limited in the number of fonts we can include with the theme and should aim to use 3–4 different typefaces across all variations( in addition to systems fonts). Bea has selected a couple of fonts, used in the variations above, that seem like a good starting point to use because of their simplicity and variety: * System sans serif font * IBM Plex Mono * DM Sans * Source Serif Pro This is just a starting point, rather than the final list of fonts that will be included with the theme. If anyone feels strongly about using a different font, please speak up because this list can certainly evolve based on what folks would like to use! We can also suggest changes to the base theme as needs arise. ## How to create and submit a style variation ### Get Twenty Twenty-Three View the repository for TT3 and follow the instructions to get started: [https://github.com/WordPress/twentytwentythree](https://github.com/WordPress/twentytwentythree) You’ll need to set up a local WordPress instance and clone/download the repository into your /wp-content/themes/ directory. ### Join the SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform 󠀁[https://slack.com/](https://slack.com/)󠁿. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at 󠀁[https://make.wordpress.org/chat/](https://make.wordpress.org/chat/)󠁿 channel We can collaborate throughout this process in a dedicated channel on the [Making WorkPress Slack](https://make.wordpress.org/chat/): [#core-themes-projects](https://make.wordpress.org/design/tag/core-themes-projects/). If you replied on the original post or reached out in DMs, you’ve already been added to the channel. This can be a place for folks to ask questions and share work in progress through screenshots or videos. The more we work together, the more we can ensure all the variations feel as different, opinionated, and unique as possible! ### Design a style variation This can be done a few different ways, including: * Create an alternate theme.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. file to the one provided by the theme and change values directly in the code. * Make changes in the Global Styles panel in the Site Editor. You can save these changes as a new style variation using the [Create Block Theme plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/create-block-theme/). * Design static mockups in Figma or a similar program. ### Submit your style variation When you’re ready to submit, please create a new issue on the TT3 repository and share your designs: * Theme.json files can be submitted as code or as zip files.  * Add images that showcase the look & feel of the variation. * Include a style guide with design specifications — this should include details on typography, colors, spacing, etc. Here’s an [example](https://www.figma.com/community/file/1136340417938880987). ## Project timeline **Aug 10:** Project kickoff **Aug 31:** Style variation submissions close **Sept 7:** Final curated set of style variations announced **Sept 20:** Theme and all variations are committed to `Gutenberg trunk` in time for WordPress 6.1 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. 1 ## Gutenberg considerations There are a few open issues and PRs that would benefit this project and may be able to be moved forward in the next few weeks, including: * [Improve Image Blocks Placeholders: #41142](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/issues/41142) * [Post Featured Image: Add border support applied to inner image: #42847](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/42847) * Further enhancements on [Add duotone to placeholders for site logo and featured image: #40085](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/40085) We appreciate any efforts by Gutenberg contributors to help move these issues forward! Let’s plan to keep in touch in the channel about any significant changes in functionality that happen after the project kickoff. ## Props Huge thanks to everyone who’s contributed and shared ideas for this project so far! **Design lead:** [@beafialho](https://profiles.wordpress.org/beafialho/) **Development lead:** [@mikachan](https://profiles.wordpress.org/mikachan/) +make.wordpress.org/themes/ ### Share this: * [ Threads ](https://make.wordpress.org/design/2022/08/10/twenty-twenty-three-default-theme-project-kickoff/?share=threads) * [ Mastodon ](https://make.wordpress.org/design/2022/08/10/twenty-twenty-three-default-theme-project-kickoff/?share=mastodon) * [ Bluesky ](https://make.wordpress.org/design/2022/08/10/twenty-twenty-three-default-theme-project-kickoff/?share=bluesky) * [ Facebook ](https://make.wordpress.org/design/2022/08/10/twenty-twenty-three-default-theme-project-kickoff/?share=facebook) * [ X ](https://make.wordpress.org/design/2022/08/10/twenty-twenty-three-default-theme-project-kickoff/?share=x) * [ Reddit ](https://make.wordpress.org/design/2022/08/10/twenty-twenty-three-default-theme-project-kickoff/?share=reddit) * [ Email ](https://make.wordpress.org/design/2022/08/10/twenty-twenty-three-default-theme-project-kickoff/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Twenty%20Twenty-Three%20default%20theme%20%E2%80%94%C2%A0Project%20kickoff&body=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fdesign%2F2022%2F08%2F10%2Ftwenty-twenty-three-default-theme-project-kickoff%2F&share=email) 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6005e5fe0471f4c6b135bfae8c43f3a50487ba797cab4f0b5b587b61861c7962? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 2. [Jason Cosper](https://profiles.wordpress.org/boogah/) 7:09 pm _on_ August 10, 2022 3. Excited for this! Thanks for the preview. 4. P.S. The Figma link appears to need a permissions update. 5. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/806cdf52fb22765d5448f0fb4fc8baa0e2d35c744924ca9b3a84721ea1b5d906? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Channing Ritter](https://profiles.wordpress.org/critterverse/) 7:18 pm _on_ August 10, 2022 * Thanks for spotting that [@boogah](https://profiles.wordpress.org/boogah/)! I’ve updated the link: [https://www.figma.com/community/file/1139275543113752375](https://www.figma.com/community/file/1139275543113752375) 6. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5d3c9f94a1020cb54008bc80a5661b3a57c94d87d08af6cad57683c08bd069ad? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 7. [Pablo Honey](https://profiles.wordpress.org/pablohoneyhoney/) 8:15 pm _on_ August 10, 2022 8. Thrilling times, when many capabilities (and people) are coming together. Including fresh designs! 9. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0cba87f5d1614b0b60cecc64f3d836608cd944566cce6a01e446ab5e8ed86e35? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 10. [Joen A.](https://profiles.wordpress.org/joen/) 7:50 am _on_ August 11, 2022 11. Wonderful work 👏 12. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0dccd30464776c6b0c0226e7f7de922728ff6d4594786f7b40ee6ec2b4426e0d? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 13. [bartoszbak](https://profiles.wordpress.org/bartoszbak/) 10:19 am _on_ August 11, 2022 14. Looks fantastic! Tbh, can’t wait to start playing with style variations. 15. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ee57ce5b9145a3c9921a755fbd2cf54c5dba759210d9b2d8b1310edf1bb87111? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 16. [Kjell Reigstad](https://profiles.wordpress.org/kjellr/) 6:01 pm _on_ August 11, 2022 17. Beautiful work! 👏 18. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/806cdf52fb22765d5448f0fb4fc8baa0e2d35c744924ca9b3a84721ea1b5d906? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Channing Ritter](https://profiles.wordpress.org/critterverse/) 12:32 pm _on_ August 12, 2022 * Thank you for paving the way with the beautiful TT2 theme, [@kjellr](https://profiles.wordpress.org/kjellr/)!! - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c139fc0a0622565f1eae27f68c8e3aed38b40f0ef9abb2708348aac8bcd2cb2c? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Nomad Skateboarding](https://profiles.wordpress.org/nomadskateboarding/) 5:09 am _on_ August 23, 2022 - Agreed! Very excited for TT3! Thank you everyone for all your effort🙂🙌 19. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8013a62d7397c006bae48b96d6832a573ea71a7d5d3597fe584210567b508c05? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 20. [Justin Tadlock](https://profiles.wordpress.org/greenshady/) 8:46 pm _on_ August 11, 2022 21. Super excited about seeing all the variations from the community. 22. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d1900f2adcdf1910bcaad713bdba5d308f16efb7919671ed46a69b2d6cad0833? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 23. [t-p](https://profiles.wordpress.org/t-p/) 6:04 pm _on_ August 12, 2022 24. Looking forward! 25. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/801d3474db5696a33deec5118e8320d6c0cff0e7beb930d7cfc702217c40936a? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 26. [Krupal Panchal](https://profiles.wordpress.org/krupalpanchal/) 11:27 am _on_ August 14, 2022 27. Beautiful work! 👏 28. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c6692657e7f29f03e98413e86d2c979a4fc2a90db663e7f3cd5e28fbf46dea31? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 29. [clarkjenifer33](https://profiles.wordpress.org/clarkjenifer33/) 7:24 am _on_ October 12, 2022 30. Wonderful work but It could be more specific than others. 31. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e921a420281f935010b9f2bf1ba18f715a2b4a52d55cc7dfe17aee805c168e9c? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 32. [hebhansen](https://profiles.wordpress.org/hebhansen/) 8:48 pm _on_ November 14, 2022 33. Great work from all involved. Thx so much for the info and your time. Im starting on TT3 tomorrow and crossing my everything ⚡️ 34. Off topic: does anyone know of templates for Woo and integration with TT3. Also when is 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/](https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/) default integral in Woo? Comments are closed. # Post navigation [← ‘Open Floor’: Design Team Bi-weekly Meeting 10 August 2022](https://make.wordpress.org/design/2022/08/10/open-floor-design-team-bi-weekly-meeting-10-august-2022/) [Design Share: Aug 1–12 →](https://make.wordpress.org/design/2022/08/15/design-share-aug-1-12/)