The Month in WordPress – April 2022

This past month saw a lot of preparation work for WordPress 6.0, due to release on 24 May 2022. This major release brings exciting improvements – read on to find out more about the latest happenings in the WordPress project.


WordPress 6.0 Release Candidate 1

The first release candidate (RC1) for WordPress 6.0 is now available for download. Help improve the project by testing and translating this version to non-English languages. Check out the RC1 release post to learn what’s new and how to contribute. For a more in-depth look at the upcoming changes, you can refer to the WordPress 6.0 Field Guide.

WordPress 6.0 is packed with all kinds of improvements for everyone. It brings new blocks, accessibility enhancements, refined design tools, the ability to switch theme styles easily, multi-block partial text selection, and a new block locking interface, to name a few of its highlights.

Gutenberg releases: Versions 13.0 and 13.1 are here

  • Gutenberg 13.0 shipped on April 14, 2022, and introduced the final updates that will be part of WordPress 6.0. These include an improved editor experience (with the ability to select text across blocks), better responsive blocks, and prominently exposed block patterns.
  • Gutenberg 13.1 landed on April 27, 2022. This version adds border support to the Columns block and accessibility and Comment block improvements.

Team updates: Updated guidelines for in-person events, redesign of the Gutenberg page, and more

Open feedback/testing calls

  • Following this proposal for a WordPress Project Contributor Handbook, Executive Director Josepha Haden opened a round of discussions to share feedback on the various handbook sections.
  • Version 19.8 of WordPress for Android and iOS is available for testing.
  • Join the 14th testing call of the Full Site Editing (FSE) Outreach program – “Rallying Recipe Reviewers.” This call focuses on testing blocks that help recipe authors make their recipe blogs more interactive. Leave your feedback by May 18, 2022.

Get ready for WordCamp Europe in Porto

  • We are four weeks away from WordCamp Europe. After being postponed twice due to the pandemic, the WordPress event is taking place in Porto, Portugal, on 2-4 June 2022. Check out the schedule and get your tickets if you haven’t yet!
  • WordCamp US announced a new program to support underrepresented speakers.
  • WordCamp Irun (Spain) is happening this month on May 21 and 22, 2022.

Have a story that we could include in the next issue of The Month in WordPress? Let us know by filling out this form.

The following folks contributed to this Month in WordPress: @rmartinezduque, @cbringmann, @dansoschin.