Happy Friday! Gutenberg 5.8 was released Wednesday. Over 42 contributors helped bring this release to the masses. Let’s get to the GutenbergGutenberg The Gutenberg project is the new Editor Interface for WordPress. The editor improves the process and experience of creating new content, making writing rich content much simpler. It uses ‘blocks’ to add richness rather than shortcodes, custom HTML etc.
https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/ design details.
Some of the recent updates in the pluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory https://wordpress.org/plugins/ or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. include:
- Headings blockBlock Block is the abstract term used to describe units of markup that, composed together, form the content or layout of a webpage using the WordPress editor. The idea combines concepts of what in the past may have achieved with shortcodes, custom HTML, and embed discovery into a single consistent API and user experience. supports custom text colors.
- Gallery images can be reordered from within the block.
- Proof of Concept of the block-based widgetWidget A WordPress Widget is a small block that performs a specific function. You can add these widgets in sidebars also known as widget-ready areas on your web page. WordPress widgets were originally created to provide a simple and easy-to-use way of giving design and structure control of the WordPress theme to the user. screen.
- Update to the Calendar block icon.
- Width constraints on the Media+Text block.
- Can drop blocks into the Group block with new block appender.
- ShortcodeShortcode A shortcode is a placeholder used within a WordPress post, page, or widget to insert a form or function generated by a plugin in a specific location on your site. block input height adjustment.
- And many more!
Navigation block
During this week’s core chat, contributors discussed the technical implementation of the Navigation MenuNavigation Menu A theme feature introduced with Version 3.0. WordPress includes an easy to use mechanism for giving various control options to get users to click from one place to another on a site. block. Nothing was decided, and considerations are being thought through entirely. Developer reviews can really help keep this moving forward.
Widgets to blocks
The /wp-admin widget-block interface is moving forward thanks to ongoing feedback and iteration. The accessibilityAccessibility Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design ensures both “direct access” (i.e. unassisted) and “indirect access” meaning compatibility with a person’s assistive technology (for example, computer screen readers). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility) team discussed the designs during their meeting and provided additional feedback.
It’s still very rudimentary right now, but it does allow some basic interactions. Please try it out and leave some feedback in the Github issue.
Tightening up
- Snackbar notifications are integrated into the editor.
- Several Table block features are being targeted:
- Spacer block clearing floats.
- Lots of new “Edit” flows happening to block content:
- New Group/Ungroup action icons
Accessibility
- Use semantic markup for the document outline.
- Fix the reading order of the keyboard shortcuts modal.
- Add a visible help text to the tags input.
- Update the icon of the Heading block.
- Move the View Posts anchor out of the toolbar section in the headerHeader The header of your site is typically the first thing people will experience. The masthead or header art located across the top of your page is part of the look and feel of your website. It can influence a visitor’s opinion about your content and you/ your organization’s brand. It may also look different on different screen sizes..
- Close the block settings menu after removing the block.
Feedback on publishing flow issues
The Gutenberg Team would really like to get some feedback on the latest publishing flow design proposals.
- No way to clear the publish date
- Show post status explicitly
- Show existing scheduled posts
- Improve visibility and publish labels
- Enhance the publishing flow
Thanks for reading, staying informed, and contributing anywhere you can!