Title: Block Directory updates Author: Tellyworth Published: July 31, 2019 --- [ ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tellyworth/) [Tellyworth](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tellyworth/) 12:01 pm _on_ July 31, 2019   # Block Directory updates Here’s a brief outline of the status of the various parts of 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. directory project. The design of the Block Inserter within 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/) has gone through detailed explorations and iterations. The [installation flow](https://github.com/WordPress/block-directory/issues/10) has been handed off for implementation. There is still some ongoing discussion around how to handle [missing blocks](https://github.com/WordPress/block-directory/issues/12) and other [error states](https://github.com/WordPress/block-directory/issues/11). Mel has also explored some ideas for [managing blocks within wp-admin](https://make.wordpress.org/design/2019/07/11/block-directory-in-wp-admin-concepts/). ![](https://i0.wp.com/make.wordpress.org/meta/files/2019/07/61014992-1280aa00-a3de- 11e9-9545-d32d35b42517.gif?resize=714%2C524&ssl=1) Block Inserter work in progress [Implementing the Block Inserter](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/16524) is in progress in the form of a pull request. Some internal architectural changes are underway, but that’s testable now by anyone able to run a [Gutenberg local environment](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/blob/master/docs/contributors/getting-started.md). The next major hurdle after re-architecting the code is fully implementing and testing the 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. install code. The [Block Directory itself](https://wordpress.org/plugins/browse/block/) exists in a minimal form within the Plugin Directory. There is a prototype 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. endpoint for [searching by block name](https://meta.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/9051), and work ongoing to implement that properly with ElasticSearch. Plugin developers can submit block-only plugins to the directory by including a [block.json file](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/blob/f3456fe079cac7e744efb0de6b3220c99781d1ad/docs/rfc/block-registration.md) and reaching out to [@tellyworth](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tellyworth/) in 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/). We’ve also explored the feasibility of supporting GitHubGitHub GitHub is a website that offers online implementation of git repositories that can easily be shared, copied and modified by other developers. Public repositories are free to host, private repositories require a paid subscription. GitHub introduced the concept of the ‘ pull request’ where code changes done in branches by contributors can be reviewed and discussed before being merged by the repository owner. [https://github.com/](https://github.com/) for block plugins. ### Share this: * [ Threads ](https://make.wordpress.org/meta/2019/07/31/block-directory-updates/?share=threads) * [ Mastodon ](https://make.wordpress.org/meta/2019/07/31/block-directory-updates/?share=mastodon) * [ Bluesky ](https://make.wordpress.org/meta/2019/07/31/block-directory-updates/?share=bluesky) * [ X ](https://make.wordpress.org/meta/2019/07/31/block-directory-updates/?share=x) * [ Facebook ](https://make.wordpress.org/meta/2019/07/31/block-directory-updates/?share=facebook) * [ LinkedIn ](https://make.wordpress.org/meta/2019/07/31/block-directory-updates/?share=linkedin) * [Login to Reply](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fmeta%2F2019%2F07%2F31%2Fblock-directory-updates%2F%23respond&locale=en_US) ### Leave a Reply 󠀁[Cancel reply](https://make.wordpress.org/meta/2019/07/31/block-directory-updates/?output_format=md#respond)󠁿 You must be [logged in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fmeta%2F2019%2F07%2F31%2Fblock-directory-updates%2F&locale=en_US) to post a comment. # Post navigation [← WordCamp.org Dev Update: June 18 – July 15, 2019](https://make.wordpress.org/meta/2019/07/16/wordcamp-org-dev-update-june-18-july-15-2019/) [Next WordCamp.org ticket scrub on August 15th, 2019 →](https://make.wordpress.org/meta/2019/08/08/next-wordcamp-org-ticket-scrub-on-august-15th-2019/)