WordPress 6.3 Beta 3 Released: What You Need to Know
WordPress contributors are gearing up for the release of WordPress 6.3, and they have just released Beta 3 for testing. This latest beta version includes a number of updates and improvements to the Site Editor, as well as other important changes. If you’re a WordPress user or developer, here’s what you need to know about the latest release.
What’s New in Beta 3?
Beta 3 brings approximately 34 updates to the Site Editor since the previous beta release. These updates aim to enhance the user experience and make it easier for users to create and customize their websites. Additionally, more than 40 updates have been made from Trac, further improving the overall performance and stability of WordPress.
One of the notable changes in Beta 3 is the renaming of the Library to Patterns in the Site Editor. This change was made to address three main reasons: discovery, clarity, and presence. By renaming it to Patterns, WordPress aims to make custom patterns more prominent and easily accessible to users. The new name also eliminates any confusion with other terminologies, such as the Media Library.
To give testers a quick overview of the changes in the Patterns UI, a video has been provided in the PR. This video showcases the new features and improvements that testers can expect to see in Beta 3.
Lock Icon and Sync Status Details
Another significant addition in Beta 3 is the new lock icon that designates theme patterns as uneditable or unmodifiable. This feature ensures that users don’t accidentally make changes to predefined patterns and helps maintain consistency in website design.
Additionally, a sync status details section has been added to the pattern sidebar navigation screen. This section provides users with information about the synchronization status of their patterns, making it easier to manage and track changes.
Why UI Changes After Beta 1?
It’s worth noting that there have been several UI changes introduced after Beta 1. This is because major features like pattern creation and the Patterns section were introduced in Gutenberg 16.1 with limited testing. To ensure a smooth and bug-free release, these UI changes are being implemented based on user feedback and testing results.
How to Test Beta 3?
If you’re interested in testing WordPress 6.3 Beta 3, you can check out the Beta 3 release post for more information on how to get started. The WordPress team encourages users and developers to test the beta version and provide feedback to help improve the final release.
What’s Next?
Following Beta 3, a Beta 4 is expected to be released in the week of July 11, followed by RC 1 on July 18. The general release of WordPress 6.3 is scheduled for August 8, 2023.
Conclusion
WordPress 6.3 Beta 3 brings several updates and improvements to the Site Editor, including the renaming of Library to Patterns. These changes aim to enhance the user experience and make it easier for users to create and customize their websites. With the addition of a lock icon and sync status details, managing patterns becomes more efficient and streamlined. If you’re interested in testing the beta version, make sure to check out the release post for more information. Stay tuned for more updates as WordPress 6.3 approaches its general release on August 8, 2023.
