WordPress 6.8 Beta 3 is ready for testing; do not use on production sites. Test on a test server using one of four methods: install Beta Tester plugin, direct download, command line, or use the Playground instance. Final release is set for April 15, 2025. Help is needed for testing upgrades and features; report issues on forums or WordPress Trac. During Beta/RC, vulnerability bounty is doubled. Beta 3 includes updates and fixes for 16 core tickets.
WordPress 6.8 Beta 2 is ready for testing. Do not use it on live sites. Test using the Beta Tester plugin, direct download, WP-CLI, or WordPress Playground. Final release is set for April 15, 2025. Please report issues and follow testing initiatives. Vulnerability bounty is doubled during this period. Beta 2 includes over 14 updates and fixes since Beta 1.
WordPress 6.8 Beta 1 is available for testing; do not use on live sites. Testing can be done via the Beta Tester Plugin, direct download, command line, or WordPress Playground. The final release is set for April 15, 2025. Key improvements include editor enhancements, Style Book for classic themes, speculative browser API support, and bcrypt for password security. Testing feedback is crucial, and a doubled bounty for identifying security vulnerabilities is available. Avoid using this beta with versions older than 5.1.
WordCamp Asia 2025 in Manila attracted over 1,400 attendees from 71 countries, with an additional 15,000 online participants. The event featured a Contributor Day, engaging talks, workshops, and networking, with notable figures like Matt Mullenweg and Matías Ventura present. New programs included “Solutions Spotlight,” “YouthCamp” for kids, and enhanced networking areas. Contributor Day saw 800 participants contribute to WordPress, tackling bugs and improving accessibility. The conference emphasized collaboration, innovation, and the future of WordPress through keynotes and panels, culminating in advice for personal and professional growth within the community. Attendees left inspired to build a better web. Upcoming events include WordCamp Europe and WordCamp US, with plans for WordCamp Asia 2026 in Mumbai.
https://wordpress.org/news/2025/02/shaping-tomorrow-at-wordcamp-asia-2025/
WordPress poised for transformation in 2025; decision-makers should leverage opportunities. Key points: open-source CMSs gaining traction as proprietary hype wanes, significant investments in Block Editor, AI potential for innovative ecosystem, hybrid architectures for complex sites. Download the full report for insights. Join the WP:25 virtual event for further exploration.
https://wordpress.org/news/2025/02/wordpress-in-2025-report/
WordPress 6.7.2 released: 35 bug fixes. Next major version 6.8 on April 15, 2025. Auto updates begin for eligible sites. Download or update via dashboard. Contributors: Special thanks to Aaron Jorbin and community members. Get involved: Join development on Trac and Slack.
https://wordpress.org/news/2025/02/wordpress-6-7-2-maintenance-release/
Starting January 31, 2025, I'll learn coding using only AI tools, not writing code myself, to test their capabilities and quality.
Creating enduring software is challenging yet rewarding, especially in open source where diverse contributors' differing motivations complicate collaboration. Forking can aid innovation, allowing new governance and architectural experiments. Joost and Karim's new project, JKPress, aims for decentralized plugin management and modernization of tech frameworks without centralized control. Joost seeks leadership in releases without traditional processes, supported by WP Engine. To promote this shift, key contributors' accounts will be deactivated, encouraging experimentation. The potential for collaboration between JKPress and WordPress is anticipated, fostering innovation in the open-source community. A summit is proposed in a year to evaluate progress.
Modern web design suffers from sameness, sacrificing visual diversity for “proven” templates and conversion-optimized layouts, stifling authentic self-expression online. This homogenization creates an echo chamber, limiting the web's creativity and uniqueness. WordPress offers a chance to reclaim individuality through distinctive, bold themes instead of bland, professional looks. Great themes should embrace strong aesthetics, cater to specific uses, and thoughtfully break design rules. The web needs more daring and personality. Now is the time to innovate and create unique WordPress themes that invigorate online presence and celebrate individuality.
WordPress Themes Need More Weird: A Call for Creative Digital Homes
