WordPress 6.5 Beta 2 was released yesterday, introducing a host of new capabilities, improvements, and bug fixes. Slated for an official launch on March 26, 2024, this version is the first major update of the year. Now is the perfect time for users to explore the new features, ensure their projects are ready, and help test the system to minimize bugs before the final release.
Speed and Accessibility Improvements
One of the key takeaways from the WordPress 2023 Survey was that users highly value performance and accessibility. They requested further enhancements in these areas, and WordPress 6.5 delivers on that front with over 110 performance-related updates.
Here are some notable improvements in loading speeds across various editors:
Item | WP 6.4 | WP 6.5 | Speed Increase |
---|---|---|---|
Typing | 60ms | 15ms | 4x |
First block load | 20s | 8.4s | > 2x |
Patterns load | 2s | 1.5s | 1.33x |
Site editor first block load | 7s | 4.6s | 1.5x |
The new version also improves the loading time for translated sites by integrating Performant Translations into the core. This enhancement allows for faster switching between multiple locales, making it more efficient to work with translated content.
WordPress 6.5 also brings over 65 accessibility improvements, such as better contrast settings, improved cursor focus, and better positioning of elements. These updates are part of WordPress’s commitment to meeting Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG) 2.0 compliance.
Design and Customization Enhancements
WordPress 6.5 is packed with new design, UI, and UX features:
- Background images in Group blocks now support
backgroundSize
andbackgroundRepeat
. - The Cover block now has
aspectRatio
support. - Column, Columns, Image, and Button blocks now support box-shadow.
- Blocks can be renamed in List View, and the name will appear as metadata.
- Default right-click behavior can be overridden to allow custom WordPress contextual menus.
- Better drag-and-drop experience in List View and throughout the Editor.
- Synced Patterns override for Paragraph, Image, Heading, and Button blocks.
- New Meta Views in the Site Editor, supporting Grid layouts, sorting, and smart filters.
- Improved Revisions in the Site Editor’s Styles and Style Book sidebar.
Introducing the Block Bindings API
One of the most transformative features in WordPress 6.5 is the Block Bindings API. According to Automattic’s Mario Santos, this API aims to connect block attributes to values obtained from different sources, which can vary depending on the context. For example, a value like post_author
changes depending on the current post.
The Block Bindings API powers the Synced Patterns and allows for connecting custom fields to block attributes. Although the list of supported blocks and attributes is currently short, it’s expected to grow:
- Paragraph: content
- Heading: content
- Image: URL, alt, title
- Button: text, URL, linkTarget, rel
Custom fields, often hidden behind the Preferences window, may see a resurgence with this new feature. If you’re curious about what you can build, check out Justin Tadlock’s tutorial on the WordPress Developer Blog.
Finally, A Font Library
WordPress 6.5 introduces the Font Library, a long-awaited feature that eliminates the need for writing code or installing plugins to manage fonts. The fonts are stored in /wp-content/fonts
, making them as theme-agnostic as the Media Library.
To access the Font Library, open the Styles sidebar, click on Typography, and then click the icon next to FONTS. From there, you can upload fonts, install from Google Fonts, and manage your fonts. Developers can access the Font Library programmatically, create custom Font Collections, or disable it altogether.
The Interactivity API
The grand finale of WordPress 6.5’s impressive lineup is the Interactivity API. This API allows developers to create interactive content more easily. If you’re a developer interested in exploring this feature, visit the WP Movies GitHub repository for a getting-started tutorial.
With so many exciting new features, WordPress 6.5 is shaping up to be a significant update. Users are encouraged to experiment with the beta version and provide feedback to help improve the final release.