Roadmap to 6.8

WordPress 6.8 is set to be released on April 15th, 2025. This release continues refining foundational features introduced in previous versions, focusing on improving data views, query loops, and 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. interactions. It introduces a more streamlined design experience with a “Zoom Out” editing approach, expanded style controls, and enhanced typography options. Additionally, new “Write” and “Design” modes provide users with greater flexibility when editing content. 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. developments, including the 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. and Block Bindings APIs, aim to enhance extensibility, while speculative loading integration and performance optimizations seek to improve site speed. AccessibilityAccessibility Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design ensures both “direct access” (i.e. unassisted) and “indirect access” meaning compatibility with a person’s assistive technology (for example, computer screen readers). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility) improvements and ongoing support for PHPPHP The web scripting language in which WordPress is primarily architected. WordPress requires PHP 7.4 or higher 8.x ensure WordPress remains user-friendly and forward-compatible.

As always, what’s shared here is being actively pursued, but doesn’t necessarily mean each will make it into the final release of WordPress 6.8.

For a more detailed look at the work related to the block editor in WordPress 6.8, please refer to the 6.8 release cycle page and review the currently open Iteration issues. These Iteration issues reflect actively scoped work targeted for this release. Additionally, to gain insight into ongoing developments and future enhancements, you can explore the discussions and updates shared in the latest Gutenberg pull requests and tracking issues.

Design Improvements

The design focus will be on polish and fix, clearing ‘needs design feedback‘ issues.

The Style Book provides a comprehensive overview of your site’s colors, typography, and block styles in an organized layout. Each block example and style group is labeled, making it easy to preview and understand your theme’s current design settings. For classic themes that support the Style Book, site patterns have been relocated to Appearance > Design > Patterns, consolidating all design-related functionality from the Site Editor into one place. Previously, patterns were listed under Appearance > Patterns.

• Add stylebook screen for classic themes
• Add reset button to color control
• Global Styles: Fix handling of booleans when stabilizing block supports

In zoom-out mode, users can now apply different section styles and designs directly from the toolbar, cycling through them and inspecting them in the context of the rest of the page. This enhancementenhancement Enhancements are simple improvements to WordPress, such as the addition of a hook, a new feature, or an improvement to an existing feature. streamlines the decision-making and production process (#67140).