Help Test WordPress 6.4

Get ready for the next big release in the WordPress world! WordPress 6.4 is set to launch on November 7, 2023, and we need your help to make sure it’s the best it can be. With exciting new features and improvements, this release promises to be a game-changer for WordPress users everywhere.
Stay up to date with the latest pre-release builds by checking the WordPress 6.4 Release Schedule for availability. For real-time updates and discussions, join the #core-test Slack channel. Engage in the testing community by participating in weekly scheduled team meetings and test scrubs.

Table of Contents:

Testing Environment 💻

Please only test on a development siteDevelopment Site You can keep a copy of your live site in a separate environment. Maintaining a development site is a good practice that can let you make any changes and test them without affecting the live/production environment. and not on a production/live site. You can follow these instructions to set up a local installLocal Install A local install of WordPress is a way to create a staging environment by installing a LAMP or LEMP stack on your local computer. or use a tool like this to set up a development site.

Once your development site is set up, please install and activate the WordPress Beta Tester Plugin. After activation:

  • Navigate to Tools > 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. Testing.
  • Set the update channel to “Bleeding Edge” and click Save Changes.
  • Set the stream option to “Beta/RCRelease Candidate A beta version of software with the potential to be a final product, which is ready to release unless significant bugs emerge. only” and click Save Changes again.
  • Navigate to Dashboard > Updates and click the Update to latest… button.

For more detailed steps, click this link for complete instructions.

Testing Tips 💡

At a high level, here are a few tips to keep in mind to get the most out of helping to test:

  • Test across different browsers.
  • Test in different languages.
  • Compare features on different screen sizes, including tablets and mobile.
  • Use just your keyboard to navigate, or use a screen reader.
  • Test with both 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. and classic themes.

Key Features to Test 🔑

Style

Font Library and Management

The Font Library (54169) simplifies the process of managing fonts on your website, enabling users to effortlessly install, uninstall, and activate fonts throughout the site. This functionality is globally accessible and operates independently of the currently active theme, mirroring the convenience of the Media Library. Any font, whether added by a user or integrated into a theme, becomes readily available for selection during the editing process.

When you install fonts, they are stored within the ‘wp-content/fonts’ directory. In this new experience, Google Fonts is automatically integrated, offering users a pre-loaded font resource. Additionally, there is an option to upload custom fonts manually (52698).

The Font Face 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.’s job is to provide the backend capabilities to support the “font library” to include font management and dynamic building of the @font-face styles. (41479)

For those seeking to expand their font choices, developers can employ a similar approach for incorporating Google Fonts into their own collections. Read more about Font Library in this doc.

Note: The Font Library feature is not going to be shipped in the Beta 1 version but will be merged in upcoming 6.4 beta releases.

Image showing Google fonts list under Font Libraru

Please help test activating, deactivating, and installing fonts with this video to guide you:

Video for Persisting fonts installed across themes:

Global Styles 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.

This release introduced a handy feature that allows you to reset global styles back to their default settings with ease (52965). With this enhancement, you can effortlessly reset any changes made to global styles back to their original state. To try out this feature, simply make a few revisions to the global style and then open the revision panel. You’ll see a list of all the revisions, and at the bottom, there’s an option called “Reset to Default.” Click on it to return to the original settings.  Now, you only need to go through one revision check instead of two (53281). Previously, the revision panel was only available after two styles of revisions were saved in the database.

Please help test global style revisions with this video to guide you:

Twenty Twenty-Four Default Block Theme

Twenty Twenty-Four default theme is set to launch in 6.4. The theme for the year 2024 will use new design tools to make websites look better and be easier to edit. It will have special designs for three groups of people: entrepreneurs and small businesses, photographers and artists, and writers and bloggers. Here, you can find Related Gutenberg Issues and PRs.

Please help test the default Twenty Twenty-Four theme, this is the demo video:

Interface

Write with Ease

In this release, ongoing efforts are being made to ensure a smooth and enjoyable writing experience in WordPress(#53305). These enhancements include the addition of new keyboard shortcuts and improvements in copying and pasting text from other sources. The Link preview feature (53566) now includes a convenient “Open in new tab” control, making it simpler to enable or disable this option. Additionally, toolbars for List, Quote, and Navigation blocks have been enhanced to make your writing and editing process more efficient.(#53699, #53697). Please help test using keyboard shortcuts and copying and testing text from other sources.

Please help test the improved writing experience for list items with this video to guide you:

Please help test the capture toolbar in the quote block with this video to guide you:

Please help test the ‘Open in New Tab’ feature with this video to guide you:

Improvements to List View

The List View in WordPress has undergone some great enhancements. Now, managing your content is even more straightforward and user-friendly. You can easily rename Group blocks using a handy options menu that pops up. When dealing with gallery and image blocks, you can now see previews of your media to make sure everything looks just right. Additionally, resizing and duplicating blocks have become much more efficient, with keyboard shortcuts available for quick actions. The List View now allows the escape key to deselect blocks if blocks are selected(48708). These improvements in the List View make organizing and editing your content in WordPress a breeze.

This video is showcasing the use Escape to deselect blocks feature:

Please help test by renaming group blocks in the list view with this video guide:

This image showcases a media preview for the gallery and image blocks:

An image showcasing media preview for gallery and image blocks


Please help test by using keyboard shortcuts for duplicating blocks with this video to guide you:

 Improvements to the Command Palette 

The Command Palette has undergone several changes and improvements since its first introduction in WordPress 6.3. For example, you can now do more with blocks using new commands, including block transforms and the options to duplicate, copy, remove, and insert after/before. The Command Palette also looks different with a fresh design. Plus, it now supports adding commands without icons. If you’re using WordPress on a small screen, like a mobile phone, the Command Palette will work better for you. It also uses more consistent language and actions, making it easier to use. Lastly, there are improvements in snackbar motion, making your experience smoother. These changes make managing your WordPress site even easier and more user-friendly.

Please help test adding blocks by commands and registering commands without icons with this video to guide you:

This image shows you registering commands without icons.

This video is showing some improvement for the command palette on smaller screens:

Test with tweak and add more consistent commands:

This video displays snackbar motion, and you can test this feature by similarly giving commands.

Please check out more improvements to the recent updates made to the Command Palette.

Blocks

Block HooksHooks In WordPress theme and development, hooks are functions that can be applied to an action or a Filter in WordPress. Actions are functions performed when a certain event occurs in WordPress. Filters allow you to modify certain functions. Arguments used to hook both filters and actions look the same. (Previously Auto-inserting Blocks)

Introducing the Block Hooks feature, a reimagined approach to the earlier concept of Auto-inserting Blocks. Basically, Block Hooks is an API that developers can use to make websites more flexible. It allows one block to attach itself to another block and show its content before or after that block. You can also attach a block to a parent block and make it appear at the beginning or end of the list of child blocks inside it. (53987

Even though Block Hooks is mainly for developers, it also gives a nice experience to the end users by automatically inserting a block into a specific location. It lets developers place blocks where they want them to be and gives room for customization. The goal is to make block themes more adaptable with the help of plugins.

One thing to keep in mind is that the block using this API will only be auto-inserted if the original template or part hasn’t been changed by the user. This is done to respect the user’s choice. This API can only be applied with block patterns, template parts, and templates that come from the block theme files. It doesn’t alter anything the user has already created or changed on a website. 

Note: This feature is a more technical item to test. Check out this for a more detailed guide.

Query LoopLoop The Loop is PHP code used by WordPress to display posts. Using The Loop, WordPress processes each post to be displayed on the current page, and formats it according to how it matches specified criteria within The Loop tags. Any HTML or PHP code in the Loop will be processed on each post. https://codex.wordpress.org/The_Loop. Block Pagination Enhancements 

Now, you no longer have to refresh the page when you switch between pages in a Query Loop block. There’s a new option that lets you turn this feature on or off whenever you want. This improved way of moving between pages is made possible by a special version of the Interactivity API, and it makes browsing smoother. Plus, you can also decide how many pages you want to show using the Query Page Numbers block for even more control. Query block: Client-side pagination (53812), make mid-size parameter settable for Query Pagination block. (#51216).

Please help test adding pagination in your query block. This video guides you through the pagination in the query block.

Client Side Pagination

List Block Enhancement 

In the List Block, a new feature has been introduced that allows you to merge consecutive lists instead of keeping them as individual blocks. This enhancement streamlines your editing experience by combining lists that appear one after another, making it easier to manage and format your content seamlessly. (52995)

Group Block Enhancements

Now, you can easily rename Group blocks to organize your content better (53735). This feature makes it simpler to identify and manage different sections of your page, streamlining your editing experience. Additionally, the introduction of background images for Group blocks brings more creativity and customization to your layouts. These enhancements empower you to create more organized and visually appealing content in WordPress. (53934)

Background image support to the Group block

Please help test by renaming the group blocks using this video guide.

Add Aspect Ratio to the Image Block’s placeholder

Aspect ratio controls to the Featured ImageFeatured image A featured image is the main image used on your blog archive page and is pulled when the post or page is shared on social media. The image can be used to display in widget areas on your site or in a summary list of posts. block were introduced in the 6.3 version, and now, these helpful controls have been extended to the placeholder of the Image block. This enhancement offers greater flexibility, particularly when designing wireframe-style patterns that establish a layout for users to fill in with their content.

You can select the default coreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress./navigation-link variant within the core/navigation block, offering more flexibility and customization options for your navigation menus (50982)

Please test by adding navigation block and start customizing it with this video to guide you.

Add Lightbox Functionality for your Images

WordPress 6.4 introduces an improvement to the image experience with the new Image Lightbox feature. Recognizing the need for clarity in the user interface (UIUI UI is an acronym for User Interface - the layout of the page the user interacts with. Think ‘how are they doing that’ and less about what they are doing.), a dedicated Settings panel has been instituted for the image block. Within this panel, users can easily locate the Lightbox toggle, available both in Global Styles and Block settings.Display your pictures in an engaging way using the brand-new lightbox functionality. This cool feature will work with image blocks, so you can click on an image and see it in a bigger size right on top of your existing content. (51132)

General Block Improvements

  • Preformatted: Add margin and padding support. (45196)
  • Social Links: Add Threads Icon. (52685)
  • Verse: Enable line breaks. (52928)
  • Details: Add block gap support. (53282)
  • File: Add margin and padding support. (45107)
  • Colum: Add stretch alignment (53325).
  • Image: Keep image size upon replacing an image (49982).
  • Buttons: Allow using a button element for button blocks (54206).
  • Post Content: Add block gap support (54282).
  • Post Content: Add color control support (51326).
  • Footnotes: Add link, background, and text color support (52897).
  • Footnotes: Add typography, dimensions, and border block supports (53044).

Patterns

Create your own Pattern Categories

Now, you can neatly group your patterns by categories when you create them. These categories are handy because you can use them to organize and find your patterns easily. You can also edit these categories in the sidebarSidebar A sidebar in WordPress is referred to a widget-ready area used by WordPress themes to display information that is not a part of the main content. It is not always a vertical column on the side. It can be a horizontal rectangle below or above the content area, footer, header, or any where in the theme. when you’re editing a pattern.

To ensure this feature functions smoothly, here are the steps to follow: Begin by adding various user patterns, both synced and unsynced, assigning categories to each (remember to hit ‘enter’ or add a ‘,’ after each categoryCategory The 'category' taxonomy lets you group posts / content together that share a common bond. Categories are pre-defined and broad ranging.). Then, navigate to the site editor patterns page and verify that the categories appear in the left navigation panel. Confirm that selecting a category displays the corresponding patterns accurately and that theme patterns continue to appear as expected. Check that all patterns are accessible under ‘All Patterns’ and that the search function operates seamlessly. Lastly, duplicate a theme pattern and ensure that the new pattern inherits the same category. Additionally, when adding a user pattern with the ‘Footer’ category, make sure it displays alongside the theme Footer patterns, taking into account the category slug distinction (theme patterns use ‘footer’ while the user category name should match this).
To make things even simpler, all patterns, whether they’re synced or not, are listed together in one place. There’s no need to look in different tabs for synced patterns; they’re all in the same section. (53837)

Please help test creating categories, adding synced and unsynced patterns, and assign them categories with this video to guide you:

Import/Export Patterns as 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. files.

To maintain compatibility with Reusable blocks, you can now import and export patterns as JSON files, providing a straightforward way to transfer custom patterns between websites. (54337

Please help test import and export patterns with this video to guide you:

Where to Report Feedback 🗣

If you find any issues, it’s best to share them on the WordPress.org alpha/beta forums, or, if you are more technically savvy and comfortable, on Core Trac. For helpful reporting guidelines, refer to the Test Reports section of the Test Handbook.

Please share feedback as soon as you can before the release on November 7, 2023.

A big thank you to @annezazu,@annebovelett @coachbirgit, and @rashiguptaa for reviewing and contributing to this post.

Changelog 🪵

2023-09-26

  • Initial post.

#6-4, #call-for-testing, #fse-outreach-program, #full-site-editing

FSE Program Testing Call #26: Final touches

This post is the twenty-sixth call for testing as part of the Full Site Editing Outreach Program and likely the final one with a title to match. For more information about this experimental program, please review this FAQ for helpful details and check out how it’s going to evolve. To properly join the fun, please head to #fse-outreach-experiment in Make Slack for future testing announcements, helpful posts, and more will be shared there. 

Overview

With WordPress 6.4 on the horizon, this call for testing takes you through many of the major pieces set to land with this release:

Framing

You’re set to launch your new photography portfolio. You plan to add more content in the coming months so you want to ensure it’s well organized and well equipped for future tweaks/additions with new fonts and new patterns. When you originally started the site, you didn’t yet had a vision for how to finish it until now!

Testing Instructions 

For this test, please use the following pre-built site as we’ll be rapidly switching between 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/ versions:

  1. Open this link only once: https://app.instawp.io/launch?t=fse-testing-call-26&d=v2 
  2. Please do not repeatedly open this link as it creates a new site each time and there’s a limit of 50 sites that can be created. 
  3. This will launch a site for you to use for up to 24 hours. Select “Magic Login” to log in to the wp-admin dashboard. 
  4. Save the link to your site so you can access it again during the test. 

Manage fonts

  1. Head to Appearance > Editor > Styles > and select the pencil icon to open up the Styles panel.
  2. Select Typography to view a list of active fonts and click the “Aa” icon to open up font management.
  3. Upload a new font file using the drag and drop option. You can download a font from https://fonts.google.com/
  4. From the font manager, select “Inclusive Sans”, a previously uploaded font, and choose “Delete” to uninstall this option. 
  5. From there, close out of the font manager, and change the Headings and Text font option to the new font you uploaded.
  6. Save changes.

Get your site organized 

  1. Use Command + K or evoke the Command Palette by clicking on the Top Toolbar field and use it to open the List View (purposefully leaving out the exact command).
  2. Select the Columns block containing the “Want to work with me?” text and, again using the Command Palette, group this block.
  3. From there, you’ll see two different Group blocks on the page. Select each and, using the three dot menu in List View, find the “rename” option and give each a different name.

Create a pattern 

  1. Select the “Want to work with me?” Group block with its new name and open the block settings.
  2. Under the Styles tab, add a black and white background image from the Media Library. Adjust the colors of the text as needed afterwards. 
  3. Using the three dot menu, create a new synced pattern for “Want to work with me?” content and add a categoryCategory The 'category' taxonomy lets you group posts / content together that share a common bond. Categories are pre-defined and broad ranging. of your choosing.

Finish your Portfolio page

  1. Using the Command Palette, open the draft page titled “Portfolio”. On this page, you’re going to create three sections of photos “With People”, “Without people”, and “Black and White” to show off your work alongside a section of all of your photos already listed. 
  2. Add the unsynced pattern titled “Pattern section” using whatever method of your choosing (Inserter with the + button in the top left or the Quick Inserter with the / option). 
  3. Using this pattern and the default content it provides, fill out the respective details including a proper heading, description, image with a set aspect ratio that epitomizes the rest of the images, and remaining gallery items. Here’s an example of what this should look like.
  4. Create all three sections following these steps: “With People”, “Without people”, and “Black and White”.
  5. Change the font for each of these headings to be different than the global option set originally in Styles (and ensure all options appear).
  6. Open List View and rearrange each section in a different order by dragging and dropping with help from the image and gallery previews. 
  7. As a finishing touch, select the first standalone image in each section, open the Block Settings sidebarSidebar A sidebar in WordPress is referred to a widget-ready area used by WordPress themes to display information that is not a part of the main content. It is not always a vertical column on the side. It can be a horizontal rectangle below or above the content area, footer, header, or any where in the theme., and toggle on the option to “Expand on click”. 

Swap templates

  1. Once done, open Block Settings and, under the Page tab, select “Pages” next to Template. 
  2. From there, you’ll see options “Edit Template” or “Swap Template”. Select “Swap Template” and choose the “Portfolio” option. 
  3. Before saving, change the Page status to “Published”.
  4. Save changes.
  5. Use the Command Palette to view your site. Notice this new Portfolio page is automatically included in your menu and that when you hover over the first standalone image in each section there’s an option to expand it and view in isolation. 

Announce your new portfolio and remove the Like button

  1. Return to the Site Editor and, using the Command Palette, start the process to add a new post. 
  2. Title the post “Announcing my portfolio” and write a brief paragraph, including a List block that mentions each portfolio section (“With People”, “Without people”, and “Black and White”). Notice that the block toolbar always stays with the overall list rather than each individual item. 
  3. Publish the post and view it. Leave a comment on your own post and notice that there’s a Like button available. 
  4. Go back into the Post Editor and, using the Command Palette, open the Single Post template. 
  5. Using List View, select the Comment Template and open Block Settings. Notice there’s a Plugin section with a Like Button option turned on. Turn this option off and save changes. 

Go further

From there, view your site, click around, and make any additional changes you’d like! Create new posts, create new patterns, or adjust your site’s styles. While this walks through an initial set of items, feel free to explore further based around the new features coming in 6.4.

What to notice:

  • Did the experience crash at any point?
  • Did the saving experience work properly? 
  • What did you find particularly confusing or frustrating about the experience?
  • What did you especially enjoy or appreciate about the experience? 
  • What would have made this experience easier for site building and for writing new content?
  • Did you find that what you created matched what you saw on your site?
  • Did it work using Keyboard only?
  • Did it work using a screen reader?
  • Did it work while using just a mobile device? Shout out to @nomadskateboarding for this addition!

Leave Feedback by October 9th, 2023

#fse-testing-call

FSE Program Testing Call #25: Let’s start from the beginning

This post is the twenty-fifth call for testing as part of the Full Site Editing Outreach Program. For more information about this experimental program, please review this FAQ for helpful details. To properly join the fun, please head to #fse-outreach-experiment in Make Slack for future testing announcements, helpful posts, and more will be shared there. 

Overview

WordPress 6.3 just launched this week, bringing with it the ability to build out all parts of your site without leaving the Site Editor. While we’ve tested everything leading up to the release, it’s time now to see how all of the pieces are landing with a fresh take, especially with all of the fixes found during the 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. and RCRelease Candidate A beta version of software with the potential to be a final product, which is ready to release unless significant bugs emerge. periods, and to look ahead to where 6.4 aims to iterate

To do this, this call for testing will go through a “starting from scratch” experience, from changing styles, using and creating patterns, creating a few pages, and setting up a menu. As part of this, you’ll explore new tools, like the Command Palette, and well loved tools, like List View. This test is intentionally more open ended to encourage exploration and to gather user experience feedback. It’s ultimately not about testing individual, new features and is more centered on testing how the features continue to come together. 

Since the 6.4 cycle is a bit shorter than others, this call for testing will only be open for two weeks rather than three so additional testing can occur as more features and refinements are released. 

Testing Instructions 

To use a prebuilt test site: 

  1. Open this link only once: https://app.instawp.io/launch?t=fse-testing-call-25&d=v2 
  2. Please do not repeatedly open this link as it creates a new site each time and there’s a limit of 50 sites that can be created. 
  3. This will launch a site for you to use for up to 24 hours. Select “Magic Login” to log in to the wp-admin dashboard. 
  4. Save the link to your site so you can access it again during the test. 

To set up your own test site: 

  1. Have a test site using the latest version of WordPress. It’s important this is not a production/live site. 
  2. Install and activate the Twenty Twenty Three by going to Appearances > Themes.
  3. Install and activate Gutenberg 16.4 or the latest version of 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/ after 16.4.

If you have any issues with manual setup, just comment on the post or pingPing The act of sending a very small amount of data to an end point. Ping is used in computer science to illicit a response from a target server to test it’s connection. Ping is also a term used by Slack users to @ someone or send them a direct message (DM). Users might say something along the lines of “Ping me when the meeting starts.” me (@annezazu) in 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/..

What follows are open ended tasks to complete, intentionally listed without detailed instructions in order to better stress test what’s been shipped in 6.3 and discover where the experience can be clarified:

  • Pick and save a new style variation. 
  • Add a border to all Image blocks on your site and change the size of all H2 headings using Styles. 
  • Create an “About” page and turn on the Top Toolbar setting. Copy and paste content from this Google Doc, noting any issues in pasting with the format or content. 
  • Create a “Resume” page with a few different headings and use the Table of Contents 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. to better organize the page. 
  • Change the size and alignment of the Page title in your Pages template. 
  • At various points, use the Command Palette to either navigate between parts of your site or open various tools, like List View, or settings, like Top Toolbar. 
  • Create a menu that just lists your About page, a link to your WordPress.org profile with the Social Icons block, and a Search block. 
  • Create a synced pattern that details how to get in touch with you and add it to your “About” and “Resume” pages where you see fit. 
  • Duplicate the synced pattern from the Patterns section and make an unsynced version.

If you’d like to go further and have time to do so, please explore the following: creating pages and editing the template surrounding the page & building and inserting more patterns, synced and unsynced. 

If you get stuck at any point, please note it in the comments with details around where you tried to attempt to complete the task. 

What to notice:

  • Did the experience crash at any point?
  • Did the saving experience work properly? 
  • What did you find particularly confusing or frustrating about the experience?
  • What did you especially enjoy or appreciate about the experience? 
  • What would have made this experience easier for site building and for writing new content?
  • Did you find that what you created matched what you saw on your site?
  • Did it work using Keyboard only?
  • Did it work using a screen reader?
  • Did it work while using just a mobile device? Shout out to @nomadskateboarding for this addition!

Leave Feedback by August 23, 2023

#fse-testing-call

Help Test WordPress 6.3

Get ready for the next big release in the WordPress world! WordPress 6.3 is set to launch on August 8, 2023. Every major releaseMajor Release A set of releases or versions having the same major version number may be collectively referred to as “X.Y” -- for example version 5.2.x to refer to versions 5.2, 5.2.1, and all other versions in the 5.2. (five dot two dot) branch of that software. Major Releases often are the introduction of new major features and functionality. comes with exciting new features and improvements, and we need your help to make sure it’s the best it can be!

This is the first Call for Testing post for the 6.3 release. Be on the lookout 👀 for future posts that highlight additional enhancements in the release.

Stay up to date with the latest pre-release builds by checking the WordPress 6.3 Release Schedule for availability. For real-time updates and discussions, join the #core-test Slack channel. Engage in the testing community by participating in weekly scheduled team meetings and test scrubs.

Table of Contents:

Testing Environment 💻

Please only test on a development siteDevelopment Site You can keep a copy of your live site in a separate environment. Maintaining a development site is a good practice that can let you make any changes and test them without affecting the live/production environment. and not on a production/live site. You can follow these instructions to set up a local installLocal Install A local install of WordPress is a way to create a staging environment by installing a LAMP or LEMP stack on your local computer. or use a tool like this to set up a development site.

Once your development site is set up, please install and activate the WordPress Beta Tester Plugin. After activation:

  • Navigate to Tools > 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. Testing.
  • Set the update channel to “Bleeding edge” and click Save Changes.
  • Set the stream option to “Beta/RCRelease Candidate A beta version of software with the potential to be a final product, which is ready to release unless significant bugs emerge. only” and click Save Changes again.
  • Navigate to Dashboard > Updates and click the Update to latest… button.

For more detailed steps, click this link for complete instructions.

Testing Tips 💡

At a high level, here are a few tips to keep in mind to get the most out of helping to test:

  • Test across different browsers.
  • Test in different languages.
  • Compare features on different screen sizes, including tablets and mobile.
  • Use just your keyboard to navigate, or use a screen reader.
  • Test with both 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. and classic themes.

Key Features to Test 🔑

Interface

Command Palette

The new Command Palette (formerly “Command Center”) allows users to quickly navigate to specific pages, templates, or template parts, as well as offers an easy way to start to create new content in the site editor. From within the editor just use Cmd-k (macOS) or Ctrl-k (Windows) and start typing for a context-aware selection of commands and shortcuts. (49330)


For a brief video demonstration of this feature in action, see the Command Center Request for Feedback post.

Extenders can also find information on creating custom static, dynamic, and context-aware commands with this feature’s public API. (51169)

Improved Page Management

The site editor now allows site builders to manage pages, edit content, access page details, and even draft new pages to be published later. Look for the new Pages menu from Appearance > Editor. (50857, 50767, 50565, 47142)

Content Editing in Site Editor

This feature allows site authors to seamlessly switch between template and page content editing within the site editor. UIUI UI is an acronym for User Interface - the layout of the page the user interacts with. Think ‘how are they doing that’ and less about what they are doing. improvements also highlight what’s being edited – template or content – and allow for a more efficient workflow when building out a site. (44461, 50857)

Distraction Free Mode in Site Editor

Distraction Free mode, previously available in only the post and page editor, now brings the calmness to the site editor, offering a 1:1 preview to site authors. (51173)

Block Theme Preview

Previews of block themes now launch in the site editor, providing efficient previews of locally-installed themes. To see this feature in action, navigate to Appearance > Themes and click “Live Preview” on any block-based theme.


This feature can also be accessed by appending the following to a site editor or frontend URLURL A specific web address of a website or web page on the Internet, such as a website’s URL www.wordpress.org: ?wp_theme_preview=theme-slug where theme-slug is a locally installed theme to preview (e.g. twentytwentytwo). (50030, Trac 58561)

Using the Style Book in the Styles’ Site View

The Style Book can now be activated while browsing global style options for easier visualization of effects on various page elements. (50566, 50393)

Styles 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.

This update introduces support for global style revisions in the site editor, providing the ability to review or roll back to a previous state. (50089)

Top Toolbar Improvements

The editor’s “Top toolbar” has been refined with better handling of the limited space in this area, and better accounts for browser viewport width limitations. (40450, 49634)

Blocks

Time to Read Block

This feature has been moved to a future version of WordPress so that it may undergo additional testing before release.

The new Time to Read block allows you to display the estimated time the average reader takes to read the current page or post. Letting readers know right off what their estimated reading time is helps them to decide if they should continue reading, or save the post for later.

Begin by adding the block from the block picker, or from an empty Paragraph block starting with the forward-slash (“/”) key, and start typing the block name: /time to read. (43403)

Details Block

WordPress now introduces the versatile Details block, offering a seamless way to toggle the visibility of content, such as very long text, code samples, or spoilers. This block comes with two new inner blocks: Details Summary and Details Content. The summary is always visible, and the content is collapsable to be shown or hidden when readers toggle it.

Add the Details block through the block picker, or from an empty Paragraph block starting with the forward-slash (“/”) key, and start typing the block name: /details. (45055)

Color and layout support for the Cover block

The Cover block now supports the text color design tool. The enhancement makes it easier for users and theme authors to customize the color for all inner blocks with a single setting. Along with this benefit, this change makes it easier to handle transforms from the Media & Text block. (41572)

Footnotes

The new Footnotes block is a powerful addition that automatically links and formats footnotes, allowing users to work efficiently while annotating content. Not an insertable block per se, Footnotes are activated by highlighting text in a block, and then in the context menu selecting More > Footnote. (51201)

Caption Styling

Theme authors can now create custom styles for Caption elements directly via theme.json. Once added, options become available in the Styles interface, and allow creators and users to customize captions without touching code. (49141)

Image Aspect Ratios

Adding a powerful feature to the Image Block that makes usage of this block much easier. Until now, to effectively replace one image with another, their size had to be the same. The image aspect ratio section solves this problem completely. New image size controller that comes with aspect ratio, scale, width, and height options. (51138, 51545)

Patterns

More Curated Patterns

The new “Curated” filter in the pattern directory helps users differentiate between CoreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress.-bundled and community contributed patterns.

Easier Pattern Creation

Effortlessly design and save patterns, just like the convenient reusable blocks you’re familiar with. Now you can easily create and save your favorite patterns as synced or unsynced patterns, saving you time and effort when designing your projects. You can find your saved patterns under Custom Patterns. (46248)

Where to Report Feedback 🗣

If you find any issues, it’s best to share them on the WordPress.org alpha/beta forums, or if you are more technically savvy and comfortable, on Core Trac. For helpful reporting guidelines, refer to the Test Reports section of the Test Handbook.

Please share feedback as soon as you can before the release on August 8, 2023.

A big thank you to @webtechpooja, @boniu91, @annezazu, and @costdev for contributing to this post.

Changelog 🪵

2023-06-28

  • Initial post.

2023-07-06

  • Adding notice related to Time to Read block, which will not be a part of WordPress 6.3.

2023-07-27

#6-3, #fse-outreach-program, #full-site-editing

#call-for-testing

FSE Program Testing Call #24: Momery Makeover

This post is the twenty-fourth call for testing as part of the Full Site Editing Outreach Program. For more information about this experimental program, please review this FAQ for helpful details. To properly join the fun, please head to #fse-outreach-experiment in Make Slack for future testing announcements, helpful posts, and more will be shared there. 

Overview

Similar to the twenty-third call for testing, various items slated for WordPress 6.3 are ready for exploration and testing. It’ll start out using an RCRelease Candidate A beta version of software with the potential to be a final product, which is ready to release unless significant bugs emerge. version of the 16.0 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/ release to provide an early look at what’s to come and ensure feedback is timely with the upcoming release deadlines. While there are a lot of changes, big and small, expect this test to cover the following:

Taken together, these new tools and interface enhancements aim to create a more cohesive experience. Similar to a few prior calls for testing, the form of this test is going to be both prescriptive with steps to take in order to ensure certain features are covered and, at points, open-ended so you can explore and think of areas to improve. 

I will be out for two weeks so @bph will be covering responding to this call for testing. Big thank you!

Framing

You run a website with a few others for a fictional town called Momery where you all share upcoming community events for folks to join. After a recent meeting about the website, your task is to implement a few changes: a new footer for parts of the site, a new post layout on the homepage to remove images, a call to action to encourage folks to host across your site, and a new page. As you work, you rely on 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. to try out different options and patterns to speed up creation. 

Testing Instructions 

To use a prebuilt test site: 

  1. Open this link only once: https://app.instawp.io/launch?t=fse-call-for-testing-24&d=v1 
  2. Please do not repeatedly open this link as it creates a new site each time and there’s a limit of 50 sites that can be created. 
  3. This will launch a site for you to use for up to 24 hours. Select “Magic Login” to log in to the wp-admin dashboard. 
  4. Save the link to your site so you can access it again during the test. 

To set up your own test site: 

  1. Have a test site using the latest version of WordPress. It’s important this is not a production/live site. 
  2. Install and activate the Twenty Twenty Three One by going to Appearances > Themes.
  3. Install and activate Gutenberg 16.0 RC1 or the latest version of Gutenberg after 16.0 RC1. 
  4. Head to Tools > Import and import this file to have access to the same content as above. From there, create a simple menu. 

If you have any issues with manual setup, just comment on the post or pingPing The act of sending a very small amount of data to an end point. Ping is used in computer science to illicit a response from a target server to test it’s connection. Ping is also a term used by Slack users to @ someone or send them a direct message (DM). Users might say something along the lines of “Ping me when the meeting starts.” me (@annezazu) in 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/..

Create a few new items to exist across your site

  1. Head to Appearance > Site Editor > Templates > Home.
  2. Change the Query LoopLoop The Loop is PHP code used by WordPress to display posts. Using The Loop, WordPress processes each post to be displayed on the current page, and formats it according to how it matches specified criteria within The Loop tags. Any HTML or PHP code in the Loop will be processed on each post. https://codex.wordpress.org/The_Loop. 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. pattern to use a different one that doesn’t show the featured images of each post.
  3. Make the menu in the 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. always show up as an icon with three lines instead of two.
  4. Save changes.
  5. At the bottom of the template, create a new Footer template part with a full width layout and three columns using the supplied patterns. Ensure this template part matches the background of the site.
  6. Create a new menu within the new template part with links to Host, Partners, Pricing and a search block. 
  7. Create a reusable block with a call to action around hosting an event with Momery with buttons linking to both the “Host” and “Pricing” pages (select the blocks of your choosing > open the three dot menu in the block toolbar > select “Create Reusable block”) . As a reminder, consider how patterns might be used for inspiration.
  8. Save changes.
  9. Use the command-k tool to invoke the command center to ensure both the new footer template part and the reusable block with the call to action exist across your Page template and Single template. 

Edit pages and templates

  1. Edit your About page to add a featured imageFeatured image A featured image is the main image used on your blog archive page and is pulled when the post or page is shared on social media. The image can be used to display in widget areas on your site or in a summary list of posts. from your media library. Navigate there however you’d like.
  2. Edit your Page template so that the featured image appears full width at 400px height with a duotone 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. of your choosing. 
  3. Change the location of the featured image for the Page template. Make any other changes you’d like to it!
  4. Click the title bar to open the command center and switch to the Contact page. 
  5. Edit the Contact page to add in your preference for communication (email, text, phone call, video chat). 
  6. Click the W icon to open the Site View, find the Pages section, and click the + button to draft a new page titled “Portfolio”. Make any changes you’d like for the page, including adding any patterns.
  7. Save changes.
  8. Go back to your dashboard when done, head to Pages, and publish the page you just created to ensure it shows up on your site. 

Roll back some changes

  1. Return to the Site Editor by going to Appearance > Editor and select Templates > Home.
  2. Open block settings and head to the Template tab. 
  3. Notice there is a revision section at the bottom and select it. 
  4. Roll back to the prior Footer template part so that just your home template is no longer using one with the three columns, instead opting for a simpler version.
  5. Re-add the call to action reusable block you created.
  6. Save changes.

Explore the Library

  1. Click the W icon to open the Site View and select Library. 
  2. Find and open the reusable block you created earlier and make a few changes to the text.
  3. Save changes and check to ensure those changes are visible across your site.

Explore further – here are some ideas:

  • Make changes to your various pieces of your site and explore using the revision history more.
  • Change Style variations to switch up the theme style. In the Site View, use the addition of the Stylebook to see all of your changes.
  • Use the command center to continue jumping around to different parts of your site, make change, and save.
  • Explore creating and editing more pages, templates, template parts, and reusable blocks.

What to notice:

  • Did the experience crash at any point?
  • Did the saving experience work properly? 
  • What did you find particularly confusing or frustrating about the experience?
  • What did you especially enjoy or appreciate about the experience? 
  • What would have made this experience easier?
  • Did you find that what you created matched what you saw on your site?
  • Did it work using Keyboard only?
  • Did it work using a screen reader?
  • Did it work while using just a mobile device? Shout out to @nomadskateboarding for this addition!

Leave Feedback by June 28th, 2023

#fse-testing-call

FSE Program Testing Call #23: Rapid Revamp

This post is the twenty-third call for testing as part of the Full Site Editing Outreach Program. For more information about this experimental program, please review this FAQ for helpful details. To properly join the fun, please head to #fse-outreach-experiment in Make Slack for future testing announcements, helpful posts, and more will be shared there. 

Overview

With the roadmap to 6.3 published and another version of 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/ out in the wild, it’s time to test some of the upcoming features that are in the works to upgrade and polish the experience of using the Site Editor:

  • Styles in Site View displaying style variations and improving discoverability of the more granular Style interface. 
  • Pages in Site View, rendering the last 10 pages with a link to the wp admin page list at the bottom.
  • Revision history for Styles, allowing you to roll back as you’d like.
  • Command center, offering a quick way to switch between parts of your site. 
  • Add previewing for block themes unlocking the ability to check out a 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. theme before activating in the same Site Editor experience. 
  • Navigation block using the Interactivity API as a way to test the new, in-progress 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.. This is just a technical change and the aim here is to ensure the experience is the same. 
  • Details block, adding a new way to hide and reveal information. 
  • List View: Allow dragging to all levels of the block hierarchy.

Much of the above is in an iterative state with more to come, like improved Detail pages with additional functionality, so this is a great chance to provide early feedback on important features. As always, the steps here are mean to guide you through the high level view of the features but you’re welcome to take the experience further by customizing more. 

Framing

Like the last call for testing, you run a site that captures “Daily Delights” about the power of everyday moments to create joy. When you first put the site together, you didn’t have a full vision of what you wanted and, after a recent post went viral, you want to make some quick changes to better reflect what you’re accomplishing. As part of this, you preview a block theme to get a sense of whether you want to switch, create a new “Work with me” page, and update your “About” page while making high level changes to your templates and Styles. Streamlining and supporting this experience are the new command center tool and revision history for styles.   

Testing Instructions 

To use a prebuilt test site: 

  1. Open this link only once: https://app.instawp.io/launch?t=fse-call-for-testing-23&d=v1 
  2. Please do not repeatedly open this link as it creates a new site each time and there’s a limit of 50 sites that can be created. 
  3. This will launch a site for you to use for up to 24 hours. Select “Magic Login” to log in to the wp-admin dashboard. 
  4. Save the link to your site so you can access it again during the test. 

To set up your own test site: 

  1. Have a test site using the latest version of WordPress. It’s important this is not a production/live site. 
  2. Install and activate the Twenty Twenty Three One by going to Appearances > Themes.
  3. Install and activate Gutenberg 15.8+. From there, head to Gutenberg > Experiments and turn on the Command Center, Details block, Block Theme Previews, and Navigation block experiments.
  4. Head to Tools > Import and import this file to have access to the same content as above. From there, create a simple menu. 

If you have any issues with manual setup, just comment on the post or pingPing The act of sending a very small amount of data to an end point. Ping is used in computer science to illicit a response from a target server to test it’s connection. Ping is also a term used by Slack users to @ someone or send them a direct message (DM). Users might say something along the lines of “Ping me when the meeting starts.” me (@annezazu) in 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/..

Preview block themes

Note: If you want to explore other block themes, you’re free to do so! You will have to install them first for the preview to work due to this bug. Please just ensure that you end up using “Twenty Twenty-Three”. 

  1. Head to Appearance > Themes where you’ll see a few block themes installed. Select the option to Live Preview the “Twenty Twenty-Three” theme. 
  2. This will take you to a new preview option using the Site Editor where you can explore the theme. 
  3. Select the Style section and choose a style variation you like. Click “Activate and Save”. This will keep you in the Site Editor with the new theme in place. 

Rely on 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.

  1. Click the pencil icon next to Styles to open up more granular style options. Make whatever changes you’d like: add a custom color to your palette (Colors > Palette > Custom) or change the details of individual heading levels (Typography > Headings). Save your changes. 
  2. After making and saving a few changes, click the three dot menu in the Styles panel and select the last option for revisions. Here’s a visual
  3. View different revisions by clicking on them and roll back to a prior version of your choosing by selecting “Apply”. 
  4. Make more changes to Styles either to the overall site or to individual blocks. Once more, view the revisions and decide whether to roll back. 

Content and template editing 

  1. Click the W icon to return to the Site View and use the back arrows to return to the main Design section before selecting the Pages section. From there, choose “About” and click on the canvas to edit it or click the pencil icon next to About in the sidebarSidebar A sidebar in WordPress is referred to a widget-ready area used by WordPress themes to display information that is not a part of the main content. It is not always a vertical column on the side. It can be a horizontal rectangle below or above the content area, footer, header, or any where in the theme..
  2. Add a details block and shorten the About page by writing a one line summary where it says “Write summary”. Take the remaining About page content, cut it, and add it to the section where it says “Type / to add a hidden block”. Feel free to customize this as much as you’d like. 
  3. Add a featured imageFeatured image A featured image is the main image used on your blog archive page and is pulled when the post or page is shared on social media. The image can be used to display in widget areas on your site or in a summary list of posts. to the page by clicking the upload icon when hovering over the block and, using List View, move it closer to the top of the template. Make any additional changes to the block order that you’d like using List View. 
  4. Save your changes.

Using the command tool 

  1. Click the W icon to return to the Site View and use the back arrows to return to the main Design section before selecting the Template section. From there, choose the “Home” template and click on the canvas to edit it or click the pencil icon next to the template name in the sidebar.
  2. Select the Navigation block and add a new item to the menu by clicking the + button in the editor itself (not in the settings sidebar).
  3. Instead of adding a current page, search for “Work with me” and notice the option to create a draft page with that title. Select that option.
  4. Press cmd + k (or ctrl + k on Windows and Linux) shortcut to open the command center and type in “About” to quickly switch to the About page.  
  5. Add in a brief note about being open to working with others in the About page content before using the same cmd + k (or ctrl + k on Windows and Linux) shortcut to switch back to the homepage template by typing “home”. 
  6. Select the overall Navigation block and make a few style or settings changes, like changing the color options or the overlay display.
  7. Click the W icon to return to the Site View and notice you have a few changes to save. Click Save and complete the save process.

Publish and view

  1. Use the back arrows to return to the main Design section before selecting the Pages section once more. 
  2. Select “Manage all pages” where you will be brought to the Pages section of the WordPress admin. 
  3. Publish the “Work with me” page before viewing your site and exploring it to ensure all of the changes you want look as you want. Be sure to click on navigation items!

What to notice:

  • Did the experience crash at any point?
  • Did the saving experience work properly? 
  • What did you find particularly confusing or frustrating about the experience?
  • What did you especially enjoy or appreciate about the experience? 
  • What would have made this experience easier?
  • Did you find that what you created matched what you saw on your site?
  • Did it work using Keyboard only?
  • Did it work using a screen reader?
  • Did it work while using just a mobile device? Shout out to @nomadskateboarding for this addition!

Leave Feedback by June 8th, 2023

#fse-testing-call