WordPress 6.4 RC2 was released this week with more than 25 issues resolved since RC1. These include a few cherry-picked commits from the Gutenberg repository, additional closed Trac tickets since RC 1, and more than a dozen housekeeping commits for Twenty Twenty-Four.
The 6.4 Field Guide is now published with technical notes. It’s a lengthy document that collates all the dev notes for important changes that developers will want to review. A few examples include improvements to Template Loading in WordPress 6.4, new option functions in 6.4, image loading optimization enhancements in 6.4, updates to the HTML API in 6.4, and a framework for storing revisions of Post Meta in 6.4.
In addition to these important updates to core, WordPress 6.4 will roll six Gutenberg releases into the core – 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5, 16.6, 16.7.
The Documentation team is looking for volunteers to assist with updating and revising the End User Documentation on HelpHub. A 6.4 project board tracks the tasks in the Documentation repository on GitHub, and it has been sorted by priority. New documentation contributors are invited to join, and the onboarding process is well documented for getting started.
The emails have gone out to extension developers, who are encouraged to test against 6.4 and update the current “Tested up to” values for each extension.
One of the easiest ways to test the upcoming release is by using Playground: https://playground.wordpress.net/?wp=beta. The Playground environment can be further customized for different storage types, PHP versions, and the WordPress version.
A comprehensive 6.4 testing guide has been published with video demonstrations of how each of the key new features should behave. This makes it easy for testers to know if something is not working the way it should.
WordPress 6.4 is now under two weeks away from its scheduled release day of November 7, 2023.
With the release of WordPress 6.4 RC2, users can expect a more stable and improved version of the popular content management system. The development team has resolved over 25 issues since RC1, ensuring a smoother experience for users.
One of the highlights of this release is the integration of several cherry-picked commits from the Gutenberg repository. Gutenberg is the block editor that was introduced in WordPress 5.0, and these commits bring additional enhancements and improvements to the editor. This means that users can expect a more intuitive and efficient editing experience when creating content.
In addition to the Gutenberg updates, WordPress 6.4 also includes fixes for various Trac tickets. These tickets address bugs and issues reported by users and developers, ensuring a more reliable and secure platform. The development team has been actively working on resolving these tickets, demonstrating their commitment to delivering a high-quality product.
Furthermore, the Twenty Twenty-Four theme has received several housekeeping commits. These commits improve the overall performance and stability of the theme, providing users with a seamless browsing experience. The development team’s attention to detail ensures that even the default theme in WordPress is optimized for optimal performance.
To assist developers in understanding the changes in WordPress 6.4, the 6.4 Field Guide has been published. This comprehensive document collates all the dev notes for important changes in this release. Developers can refer to this guide to familiarize themselves with the updates and make any necessary adjustments to their themes or plugins.
In addition to core updates, WordPress 6.4 incorporates six Gutenberg releases into its core. These releases bring new features and enhancements to the block editor, further improving the content creation process. Users can expect a more streamlined and efficient editing experience with these Gutenberg updates.
The Documentation team is also seeking volunteers to update and revise the End User Documentation on HelpHub. This initiative ensures that users have access to up-to-date and accurate information about WordPress. Volunteers can contribute to this effort by joining the 6.4 project board on GitHub and prioritizing tasks based on their expertise.
Extension developers have also been notified to test their plugins against WordPress 6.4 and update the “Tested up to” values accordingly. This ensures compatibility between plugins and the latest version of WordPress, providing users with a seamless integration of functionalities.
To facilitate testing, users can utilize the Playground environment, which allows them to customize storage types, PHP versions, and the WordPress version. This enables users to simulate different scenarios and ensure that their websites function optimally with the upcoming release.
For users interested in participating in the testing process, a comprehensive 6.4 testing guide has been published. This guide includes video demonstrations of key features, making it easier for testers to identify any issues or inconsistencies. By following the guide, testers can provide valuable feedback to the development team and contribute to the overall improvement of WordPress.
With the scheduled release date of November 7, 2023, WordPress 6.4 is just around the corner. Users can look forward to a more stable and feature-rich version of the platform, thanks to the dedication and hard work of the development team. By actively participating in testing and providing feedback, users can contribute to the continued success of WordPress as a leading content management system.
