WordPress Meta Contributors Reach Milestone in Replacing Slack with Matrix
WordPress meta contributors have achieved an important milestone in their efforts to explore replacing Slack communication with Matrix, an open-source federated chat system. The team recently hosted a meeting on the Meta Slack channel and the corresponding #meta:community.wordpress.org Matrix room simultaneously, thanks to the project’s new Slack/Matrix bridge.
The Slack/Matrix bridge allows users to follow the chat and participate from either Matrix or Slack, with messages appearing in real-time. This tool will make the transition easier as the WordPress project moves towards replacing Slack. Although the team is still in the process of importing history for channels, the bridges are already in place for all public Slack channels/Matrix rooms.
It’s important to note that DMs (direct messages) do not work over the bridge, although they work between Matrix users. The bridge does not have access to anything that is private, and the historic data import into Matrix will only apply to public Slack channels. DMs and private channel history will not be ported over.
The Matrix team has developed a Gutenberg block called Chatrix, which embeds a Matrix client. This block can be added to any WordPress page, post, or P2 blog, allowing users to access Matrix directly within WordPress. An example of this can be seen on the WordPress.org Meta Chat page.
To use Chatrix, WordPress.org users can sign in with Single Sign-On (SSO) inside the block and authorize their accounts to connect. This integration streamlines the onboarding process compared to Slack. Instead of waiting for an email to arrive at a special address, users can simply set the server in their Matrix client to community.wordpress.org and click “Login with WordPress.org.”
With the Matrix server now live at community.wordpress.org, WordPress users who want to attend team meetings or join rooms via Matrix can do so using their preferred Matrix clients that support SSO. Logging in requires the same credentials as the WordPress.org account.
According to Automattic-sponsored contributor Alex Kirk, this new integration simplifies the onboarding process significantly. Instead of waiting for an email, users can set the server in their Matrix client and log in with their WordPress.org credentials.
As the channels’ history is migrated over, WordPress users will be automatically invited to rooms on Matrix that they have already joined from the Slack side. The team plans to make wider public announcements once the Slack/Matrix bridge has proven stable.
The progress made by WordPress meta contributors in replacing Slack with Matrix is a significant step towards improving communication within the WordPress project. By leveraging the capabilities of Matrix and integrating it seamlessly into WordPress, contributors can collaborate more effectively and streamline their workflows.
With the Slack/Matrix bridge in place and the Chatrix Gutenberg block available, WordPress users now have more options for participating in discussions and staying connected with the community. The transition from Slack to Matrix is expected to enhance communication and foster a more inclusive environment within the WordPress ecosystem.
As the WordPress project continues to evolve, it’s exciting to see how open-source technologies like Matrix are being embraced to improve collaboration and communication among contributors. The Slack/Matrix bridge and the Chatrix integration demonstrate WordPress’s commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation and providing its users with cutting-edge tools for success.
In conclusion, the progress made by WordPress meta contributors in exploring the replacement of Slack with Matrix is a significant development for the WordPress project. The Slack/Matrix bridge and the Chatrix integration offer new possibilities for seamless communication within the WordPress community. As the transition continues, WordPress users can look forward to enhanced collaboration and a more streamlined workflow.
