WordPress 5.9 is almost here so we wanted to share some of the exciting new stuff that we can expect. Originally scheduled for the 14th of December 2021 the release has now since been pushed back to the 25th of January 2022. For more details on the release schedule, check out https://make.wordpress.org/core/5-9/
Major New Features in WordPress 5.9
The focus of WordPress 5.9 is very much on the site editing experience with it introducing a collection of features that collectively facilitate Full Site Editing. Full Site Editing means that all aspects of the site can now be edited via the block editor, areas such as headers footers and nav menus. Let’s take a look at the features that enable this to happen.
1. Block Themes, Workflows and 30 New Blocks (Full Site Editing FSE)
WordPress 5.9 brings blocks to all aspects of the site including headers, footers menus etc. Now you can use the familiar block editor to update the entire site.
What is a Block Theme?
A block theme is a WordPress theme with templates entirely composed of blocks so that in addition to the post content of the different post types (pages, posts, …), the block editor can also be used to edit all areas of the site: headers, footers, sidebars, etc.
https://developer.wordpress.org/block-editor/how-to-guides/themes/block-theme-overview/
2. UX Improvements – Drag and Drop List View
There have been a number of UX improvements including a new list view that allows you to drag and drop sections of content on the site with ease. This makes it easy to move around large blocks of content and re-order the flow as you see fit.
3. Styles – Global visual element control
The new styles section allows global changes to the style elements to quickly modify the look and feel of your site. Typography, colours, and other elements can all be modified to quickly change the look of your theme.
4. Patterns – Customize with predefined content patterns from a global WordPress directory
Patterns allow you to quickly and easily customize your theme with predefined content blocks. WordPress 5.9 will allow you to select numerous patterns from the global Pattern Directory which will grow over time as people add to it. You can find the pattern directory here https://wordpress.org/patterns/
5. Twenty TwentyTwo – New default theme
WordPress 5.9 comes with a brand new theme Twenty TwentyTwo which has been built from the ground up to take advantage of the new site editing features of 5.9 and its new rich block theme editing powers.
Learn all about the new theme https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/10/06/introducing-twenty-twenty-two/
Useful WordPress 5.9 Links and Resourses
Want to learn more about WordPress 5.9? Check out some of these resources:
- WP Briefing Podcast – Episode 21 – All Things Block Themes!
- Twenty TwentyTwo WordPress.org
- WordPress.org Core 5.9 Project Page
- How to create a Block Theme
- Create a Free Hosted WordPress site using Wordify DevSites
We’re excited to try out the first beta of WordPress 5.9 that’s scheduled to drop on the 30th of November 2021. It seems to be a significant step forward in consolidating and streamlining the process for creating and building beautiful looking WordPress sites. It’s going to be really interesting to see how this line of product development a) plays out with other page builders such as Elementor and Beaver Builder and b) creates similar building experiences to Wix and Square Space without losing any of its fully customizable-ness that we all love.
