WordPress 6.4 Roadmap Includes Typography Management Features, New Blocks, and Twenty Twenty-Four Default Theme
Work on WordPress 6.4 is kicking off with a post from Editor Triage Co-Lead Anne McCarthy that highlights everything the team has planned for the release. This will be the third major release of 2023, and is unique in that it’s being led by an underrepresented gender release squad.
Although WordPress is moving into Phase 3 of the Gutenberg project, which focuses on collaboration, 6.4 will primarily extend existing features in the block and site editors.
“Initial explorations for phase 3 will continue in the Gutenberg plugin, and any early wins will be added alongside the foundational work already planned in this major release,” McCarthy said.
WordPress 6.4 is anticipated to introduce typography management features, including a Font Library and server-side @font-face CSS generation and printing. This means users will be able to browse a library of fonts in the admin, similar to how they manage media. It will not be dependent on the theme that is activated but will be a library that is extensible for plugin developers.
Other new functionality planned for 6.4 includes the following:
Revisions for templates and template parts
New blocks: Table of Contents, Time to Read, and Scrolling Marquee
Lightbox functionality for individual image blocks
Auto-insert blocks
Post formats in block themes
Improvements to the writing experience and link control UI
Updates to interfaces and tools – top toolbar, distraction-free, command palette, list view, and more
Refinements and enhancements to Site Editing, Global Styles, and design tools
Updates to Patterns: add the ability to set categories, update inserter experience, explore possibly including partially synced patterns
Improvements to navigation customization and management
Expand design tools available for Footnotes, ensure compatibility for Custom Post Types
WordPress 6.4 will also ship with a new Twenty Twenty-Four default theme that will showcase the latest capabilities of block themes.
McCarthy emphasized that the features published in the roadmap are “being actively pursued” but may not represent what actually lands in the final release.
WordPress 6.4 is anticipated to be released on November 7, 2023, with Beta 1 expected on September 26.
The upcoming release of WordPress 6.4 is generating excitement among users and developers alike. With a focus on extending existing features in the block and site editors, as well as introducing typography management features, this release promises to enhance the overall user experience.
One of the most anticipated features of WordPress 6.4 is the Font Library. This feature will allow users to browse a library of fonts in the admin, similar to how they manage media. The Font Library will not be dependent on the theme that is activated but will be a library that is extensible for plugin developers. This means that users will have more flexibility and control over the typography of their websites.
In addition to the Font Library, WordPress 6.4 will also introduce several new blocks. These include the Table of Contents block, which will make it easier for users to navigate long articles or pages, the Time to Read block, which will estimate the reading time of an article, and the Scrolling Marquee block, which will add a scrolling text effect to a page. These new blocks will provide users with more options for creating dynamic and engaging content.
Another exciting feature of WordPress 6.4 is the lightbox functionality for individual image blocks. This feature will allow users to display images in a pop-up window, providing a more immersive viewing experience. This can be particularly useful for showcasing images in a portfolio or gallery.
WordPress 6.4 will also include improvements to the writing experience and link control UI. These enhancements will make it easier for users to format and edit their content, as well as manage links within their posts. These improvements will streamline the content creation process and improve overall productivity.
In addition to these features, WordPress 6.4 will also include updates to interfaces and tools, refinements and enhancements to Site Editing and Global Styles, and improvements to navigation customization and management. These updates will further enhance the usability and functionality of the WordPress platform.
Furthermore, WordPress 6.4 will ship with a new default theme called Twenty Twenty-Four. This theme will showcase the latest capabilities of block themes and provide users with a modern and visually appealing design.
It’s important to note that while these features are being actively pursued, they may not all make it into the final release of WordPress 6.4. Development is an iterative process, and the team is constantly evaluating and refining features to ensure the best possible user experience.
Overall, WordPress 6.4 is shaping up to be an exciting release that will bring new features and enhancements to the platform. With a focus on typography management, new blocks, and a default theme that showcases the power of block themes, this release will empower users to create even more stunning and engaging websites. Stay tuned for the official release of WordPress 6.4 on November 7, 2023, and get ready to take your WordPress experience to the next level.
