loading . . . WordPress 7.0 Field Guide This guide outlines major developer features and breaking changes in 7.0 and is published in the Release Candidaterelease candidate One of the final stages in the version release cycle, this version signals the potential to be a final release to the public. Also see alpha (beta). phase to help inform WordPress extending developers, CoreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. developers, and others.
There are more than 419 Core Trac tickets included in WordPress 7.0, over 76 of which are enhancements and feature requests, and more than 300 bug fixes. This release includes 40+ tickets focused on the Editor, and 90+ tickets focused on wp-admin.
Additionally, this release includes 411 enhancements and more than 486 bug fixes for the Editor, Dashboard, and AI integration.
Below is a breakdown of the most important developer-related changes included in WordPress 7.0.
1. AI building blocks of the future
1. WP AI Client
2. Client-Side Abilities API
3. AI Connectors Screen
4. Connectors API
2. Modernized Dashboard
1. New admin color scheme and styles
2. View Transitions in WP Admin
3. Command Palette shortcut
4. Font Library
5. Visual Revisions
6. Iframed Editor
7. Custom Navigation Overlays on mobile
8. Responsive Editing Mode
9. Pattern Editing and contentOnly Interactivity
3. Design Agility
1. Custom CSS on the block level
2. Headings Block
3. Breadcrumbs Block
4. Navigation Block
5. Video embed cover block
6. Gallery block
7. Added <p> Block Supports
8. Dimensions Support Enhancements
4. Developer’s toolbox
1. PHP Only Block Registration
2. Interactivity API
3. DataViews and DataForms
4. Block bindings API iterations
5. New plugin list filter
6. Site Editor wordpress/build and routing
5. Bonus dev goodies
1. Block Hooks for content-like Custom Post Types.
2. More secure user registration
3. CodeMirror Update to v5
4. External Libraries Updates
5. PHP Updates
6. Accessibility
7. But wait, there’s more!
## AI building blocks of the future
Step into a new era with WordPress 7.0, shipped with AI integration and abilities. Provider-agnostic architecture gives you full control over units and capabilitiescapability A **capability** is permission to perform one or more types of task. Checking if a user has a capability is performed by the `current_user_can` function. Each user of a WordPress site might have some permissions but not others, depending on their role. For example, users who have the Author role usually have permission to edit their own posts (the “edit_posts” capability), but not permission to edit other users’ posts (the “edit_others_posts” capability). while tapping into the endless opportunities AI can bring to life. These critical building blocks are just the beginning, paving the way for agentic collaborators and so much more.
### WP AI Client
WordPress 7.0 unlocks AI capabilities right in your website. The new WP AI client adds a central interface that lets plugins communicate with generative AI models while remaining provider-agnostic. WordPress Core handles request routing for you. Managed in the `Settings > Connectors` screen with APIAPI An API or Application Programming Interface is a software intermediary that allows programs to interact with each other and share data in limited, clearly defined ways. keys funneled through the Connectors API, you can start with some preset models and add your favorites.
As a bonus, the Abilities API is integrated directly into the WP AI Client, delivering new and expansive AI abilities that can be built into workflows that run abilities fluidly, one after another.
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. developers can use the new `using_model_preference()` function to indicate which models to use in order of preference, then add feature detection to match capabilities against available models – lowering cost and speeding up processing time. The AI Client includes a series of advanced configuration controls, and a `WP_AI_Client_Prompt_Builder` class for calling methods. For easy upgrades, the `wordpress/wp-ai-client` package handles transitioning to 7.0 automatically.
> Introducing the AI Client in WordPress 7.0
### Client-Side Abilities API
WordPress 7.0 expands on the Abilities API by introducing a JavaScriptJavaScript JavaScript or JS is an object-oriented computer programming language commonly used to create interactive effects within web browsers. WordPress makes extensive use of JS for a better user experience. While PHP is executed on the server, JS executes within a user’s browser. https://www.javascript.com counterpart: the Client-Side Abilities package with new and hybrid abilities, an intuitive UIUI User interface, a command palette, and filterFilter Filters are one of the two types of Hooks https://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API/Hooks. They provide a way for functions to modify data of other functions. They are the counterpart to Actions. Unlike Actions, filters are meant to work in an isolated manner, and should never have side effects such as affecting global variables and output. and query functionality.
Plugin developers can enqueue `@wordpress/core-abilities` to automatically fetch and register server-side abilities via the REST APIREST API The REST API is an acronym for the RESTful Application Program Interface (API) that uses HTTP requests to GET, PUT, POST and DELETE data. It is how the front end of an application (think “phone app” or “website”) can communicate with the data store (think “database” or “file system”) https://developer.wordpress.org/rest-api/, or enqueue only `@wordpress/abilities` to work with the plugin’s client-side abilities. Registered abilities are organized in customizable categories, and abilities and categories can be unregistered via the PHPPHP The web scripting language in which WordPress is primarily architected. WordPress requires PHP 7.4 or higher API. MetaMeta Meta is a term that refers to the inside workings of a group. For us, this is the team that works on internal WordPress sites like WordCamp Central and Make WordPress. data annotation is supported, and `core/abilities` makes `useSelect` available for reactive queries in ReactReact React is a JavaScript library that makes it easy to reason about, construct, and maintain stateless and stateful user interfaces. https://reactjs.org components.
> Client-Side Abilities API in WordPress 7.0
### AI Connectors Screen
Manage all of your AI provider connections in one place on the new Connectors screen. Found under `Settings > Connectors` in the dashboard, the screen gives you everything you need to manage your connections. Registered connectors are displayed automatically on the page, and so is detailed registry meta data in a card format. The Connectors screen includes three default providers: Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI, while also allowing users to configure their own connections.
### Connectors API
The Connectors API is the backbone of the Connectors screen; an extensibility API that facilitates and supports the inclusion of agents.
The API supports two authentication methods (`api_key` and `none`) based on provider metadata, and is designed to facilitate additional connector types in future releases. The Connectors API uses the WP AI Client’s default registry to automatically discover providers, and corresponding metadata to generate connectors, while connectors authenticated via other methods are stored in the PHP registry. You can use the `wp_connectors_init` action to override connectors metadata, which will be the key for registering new connector types in future releases. The API includes three public functions for querying the registry, and the frontend UI can be customized using client-side JavaScript registration.
> Introducing the Connectors API in WordPress 7.0
## Modernized Dashboard
WordPress 7.0 delivers an upgraded adminadmin (and super admin) experience, with a sleek, new color scheme named “Modern”, numerous enhancements throughout the dashboard, and seamless visual transitions as you navigate from screen to screen. A new Command Palette shortcut in the upper admin bar lets you access tools from anywhere in the dashboard, while a new dedicated dashboard page for font management centralizes and simplifies managing fonts. The enhanced iframed post editor stabilizes the screen, while editors leave comments on blocks, receive notifications for notes and even visually compare two revision versions.
### New admin color scheme and styles
WordPress administration has been reinvigorated with a new, chic color scheme throughout the dashboard. The new Modern admin theme is live across admin headers, the CustomizerCustomizer Tool built into WordPress core that hooks into most modern themes. You can use it to preview and modify many of your site’s appearance settings., the color scheme picker, script loader, various user functions, and even the multisitemultisite Used to describe a WordPress installation with a network of multiple blogs, grouped by sites. This installation type has shared users tables, and creates separate database tables for each blog (wp_posts becomes wp_0_posts). See also **network** , **blog** , **site** user signup has been reskinned. The Modern theme is clean and easy on the eyes, boasting a refreshed color palette, higher contrast, and upgraded typography, uplifting and elevating the admin experience.
### View Transitions in WP Admin
Navigating the dashboard is a smooth ride in 7.0. User views slide from one screen to the next as you move across wp-admin. Cross-document view transitions use distinct transition names for admin menu items in order to facilitate this simple visual slide effect, firing when the active submenu changes between screens. With consideration for all users, View Transitions are only activated if a preference is not set for reduced motion on the OS level.
### Command Palette shortcut
Access your editing toolset from anywhere in the dashboard with a single click of the new Command Palette shortcut. WordPress 7.0 includes a `⌘K` or `Ctrl+K` icon for logged-in users in the upper admin bar, which unfurls the command palette on click. The new shortcut speedruns editing and gives full control from anywhere in the dash: while building, designing or simply browsing notes.
### Font Library
The Font Library has expanded in 7.0 with the introduction of a dedicated font management page. Now you and your team can manage, upload and install fonts from one place in 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., hybrid and classic themes.
### Visual RevisionsRevisions The WordPress revisions system stores a record of each saved draft or published update. The revision system allows you to see what changes were made in each revision by dragging a slider (or using the Next/Previous buttons). The display indicates what has changed in each revision.
In WordPress 7.0, Visual Revisions make editing easier and more intuitive, while adding insight into post or page edit history. Users can now visually compare two revision versions directly in the Editor using a slider bar to visually switch between revisions. The document inspector shows a summary of changes, while color indicators and sizes of changes can be seen for each location, jumping to that location on the page when clicked.
### Iframed Editor
An improved, iframed editor in 7.0 offers more stability to the post editor experience. An iframed post editor is now enforced when all Block API blocks inserted into the post are using `version 3` of the API or higher. If not, the iframeiframe iFrame is an acronym for an inline frame. An iFrame is used inside a webpage to load another HTML document and render it. This HTML document may also contain JavaScript and/or CSS which is loaded at the time when iframe tag is parsed by the user’s browser. is removed, upholding backwards compatibility for lower-versioned blocks.
> Iframed Editor Changes in WordPress 7.0
# Creative Customization
7.0 inspires creativity with enhanced design tools and new editing capabilities. Users can now customize navigation overlays on mobile, granular control of the responsiveness for individual blocks, and edit at the pattern level in different modes.
### Custom Navigation Overlays on mobile
Hamburger menu overlays can now be customized and built from blocks and patterns in the Site Editor, with a dedicated Navigation Overlay Close block for placing and styling a close button anywhere within the overlay, giving users and theme authors flexibility to define mobile navigation experiences. In-place overlay selection and previews create a seamless editing experience, while users can review and assign overlays, and themes can offer default templates for quick setup.
> Customizable Navigation Overlays in WordPress 7.0
### Responsive Editing Mode
WordPress 7.0 introduces customizable block visibility based on device type, allowing editors to hide or reveal blocks by device, without affecting other viewports. Controls to launch a block visibility options modal are available in the block toolbar, block inspector sidebarSidebar A sidebar in WordPress is referred to a widget-ready area used by WordPress themes to display information that is not a part of the main content. It is not always a vertical column on the side. It can be a horizontal rectangle below or above the content area, footer, header, or any where in the theme., and command palette. Icons are displayed in List View next to blocks that have active visibility rules, indicating what viewports they are being hidden on.
Offering even more responsiveness enhancements, 7.0 introduces the ability to change styles for different breakpoints, customize breakpoint sizes and more.
> Block Visibility in WordPress 7.0
### Pattern Editing and `contentOnly` Interactivity
7.0 introduces Pattern Overrides for custom blocks, Pattern-level editing modes for contextual and symbol patterns, a parent-child tree view for buttons and list blocks, and the ability to opt out of `contentOnly` mode.
`contentOnly` mode will now be default for patterns that previously relied on unrestricted editing of their inner blocks, while a new `disableContentOnlyForUnsyncedPatterns` setting or `block_editor_settings_all` PHP filter allows `contentOnly` mode to be opted out of for unsynced patterns.
In 7.0 `contentOnly` mode is applied more broadly, so if a block is nested in a `contentOnly` pattern, plugin developers will want to ensure attributes representing the block’s content have `"role": "content" ` set in `block.json` to retain their ability to be edited and prevent them from being hidden in list view.
Block developers can now add a `"listView": true` block supports declaration to add a `List View` tab to the block inspector with a dedicated view for the block that allows editors to update and customize the block more easily.
> Pattern Editing in WordPress 7.0
Block attributes that support Block Bindings now also support Pattern Overrides for custom blocks. Pattern Overrides now apply to any block, including custom blocks, and can be opted-in through `block_bindings_supported_attributes` filter(s). Attribute values appear in the rendered blocks’ markup for dynamic and static blocks, and if static blocks have more complex attributes than the HTMLHTML HyperText Markup Language. The semantic scripting language primarily used for outputting content in web browsers. API can process, a `render_callback()` function can be used to ensure bound attribute values render.
> Pattern Overrides in WP 7.0: Support for Custom Blocks
## Design Agility
Designing in WordPress 7.0 has become more flexible with the introduction of new blocks, new block supports and new design tools. A new Heading block, Icons block, and Breadcrumbs block are shipped with 7.0, with added lightbox support for the Gallery block, and dynamic URLURL A specific web address of a website or web page on the Internet, such as a website’s URL www.wordpress.org support in the Navigation Link block. 7.0 includes text line indent support, text column support, dimensions width and height support, dimension presets, tools and controls, and aspect ratios for wide and full images.
### Custom CSSCSS Cascading Style Sheets. on the block level
7.0 introduces the ability for custom CSS to be applied on-page to individual blocks. This allows granular control over every detail of your content, with quick and intuitive access to style controls.
### Headings Block
A new Heading Block includes variations of all heading levels, easy toggling in the sidebar inspector and quick transforms, and display in the search and slash inserter.
### Breadcrumbs Block
The new Breadcrumbs Block in 7.0 automatically reflects the site’s navigational hierarchy with the ability for global application in site parts like the theme 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.. New filters allow developers to add, remove, and modify breadcrumb trails, and specify which taxonomyTaxonomy A taxonomy is a way to group things together. In WordPress, some common taxonomies are category, link, tag, or post format. https://codex.wordpress.org/Taxonomies#Default_Taxonomies. and terms appear in the Breadcrumbs trails.
> Breadcrumb block filters
### Navigation Block
Editing the navigation block is now more simple with improved insertion, Interactivity for pattern editing and ContentOnly, and improved “bound” page items presentation.
### Video embed cover block
Videos can now be embedded as section backgrounds in the Cover block.
### Gallery block
The Gallery block now has lightbox support with an added slideshow option. Just create and insert a Gallery, click the link icon and then hit ‘enlarge on click’.
### Added `<p>` Block Supports
Text in the Paragraph block can now be arranged in a columns layout, and opt-in `textIndent` block support for typography has been introduced.
> New Block Support: Text Indent (textIndent)
More details on new and improved blocks are available here:
> Roster of design tools per block (WordPress 7.0 edition)
### Dimensions Support Enhancements
7.0 introduces height and width block support, typography text indent support in paragraphs, presets support, and pseudo elements support on the core/button block for ( `':hover`‘, `':focus`‘, `':focus-visible'`, `':active' `) at the `theme.json` level. Support for preset dimensions values in `theme.json` have been added for block supports such as width, height and min-height, allowing the block’s variations to control the same pseudo elements, while a defined set of preset values for dimensions block supports can be leveraged to reduce the need to know and manually set the same value across multiple blocks.
> Dimensions Support Enhancements in WordPress 7.0
## Developer’s toolbox
7.0 delivers an expansive developer toolbox including new tools for building, enhanced supportive structures, and expanded API abilities. Developers can now create a PHP-only representation of blocks on the server level, customize plugin list filters, and explore the foundational layout for a more extensibleExtensible This is the ability to add additional functionality to the code. Plugins extend the WordPress core software. Site Editor.
### PHP Only Block Registration
WordPress 7.0 allows blocks and patterns to be created directly on the server with PHP, and registered with the Block API. The PHP-only representation of blocks and patterns includes pattern creation and syntax that streamlines block creation and bindings, registering blocks automatically When a block declares `'supports' => array( 'autoRegister' => true )` along with a render callback, exposing it to the client-side via a JavaScript global variable. PHP-registered block attributes can be edited in the editor and inspector controls can be generated from attributes, with automatic DataForm inspector controls added for PHP auto-registered blocks.
> PHP-only block registration
### Interactivity API
Introducing a new `watch()` function to the `@wordpress/interactivity` package that subscribes to changes in any signal accessed inside a callback, re-running the callback whenever those signals change. The API’s `data-wp-watch` can be added to a DOM element’s lifecycle and react to state changes. The `state.url` value is now populated server-side during directive processing, remaining unchanged until the first client-side navigation occurs.
> Changes to the Interactivity API in WordPress 7.0
### DataViews and DataForms
Experience a new Activity layout, new Details layout, Improved modal appearance, and the ability to register 3rd party types in the Field API.
> DataViews, DataForm, et al. in WordPress 7.0
### Block bindings API iterations
Introducing the Block bindings and patterns overrides feature, with the ability to filter available attribute sources by format, aligning with the Field API.
### New plugin list filter
A new `plugins_list_status_text` filter in `get_views()` has been added to allow custom filtering. Custom statuses added with `plugins_list` now appear as tabs to filter the related plugins. The tab label can be customized using the new `plugins_list_status_text` hook.
### Site Editor wordpress/build and routing
In 7.0 the foundation has been laid for an extensible site editor and routing, route validation, a new `@wordpress/boot package` that allows plugins to build custom site-editor pages, and a refactored `@wordpress/scripts` that builds from directories and reduces Webpack dependence.
## Bonus dev goodies
WordPress 7.0 introduces updates that span every area of Core. These changes support ongoing initiatives to create a flexible foundation for developers while boosting usability and opportunity.
### Block HooksHooks In WordPress theme and development, hooks are functions that can be applied to an action or a Filter in WordPress. Actions are functions performed when a certain event occurs in WordPress. Filters allow you to modify certain functions. Arguments used to hook both filters and actions look the same. for content-like Custom Post Types.
The Block Hooks logic has been moved from individual post type filters to the REST controller.
### More secure user registration
Administrator and Editor roles have been removed from the new user default selector under `General` in the admin screen. Site Health now alerts if one of those roles was selected before updating, while a new `default_role_dropdown_excluded_roles` filter allows developers to change default excluded roles.
### CodeMirror Update to v5
CodeMirror has been updated to the latest `v5` version, along with `CSSLint`, `HTMLHint`, and J`SONLint`, while `Esprima` has been replaced with `Espree` for ES6 support and JavaScript linting.
### External Libraries Updates
* backbone.js has been upgraded to the latest version (1.6.1).
* The Requests library has been updated from 2.0.11 to 2.0.17.
### PHP Updates
* WordPress Core’s minimum PHP version is now 7.4
* PHPMailer has been updated to version 7.0.2, which includes a Sender address bugbug A bug is an error or unexpected result. Performance improvements, code optimization, and are considered enhancements, not defects. After feature freeze, only bugs are dealt with, with regressions (adverse changes from the previous version) being the highest priority. fix.
## 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)
WordPress 7.0 includes numerous improvements and additions that make content more accessible for everyone. The login password reset now pre-populates with a username to comply with WCAGWCAG WCAG is an acronym for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. These guidelines are helping make sure the internet is accessible to all people no matter how they would need to access the internet (screen-reader, keyboard only, etc) https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/. 2.2, and a new `wp_get_image_alttext()` function imports Image Alt text metadata from image IPTC metadata. The `word-break` property has been added to `.screen-reader-text` to ensure screen readers won’t read text as individual letters in hidden text, and view transitions are only activated when reduced motion is not set.
Title attributes can now be removed from two functions using a new `$use_title_attr` parameter, and are removed from three author link functions by default.
## But wait, there’s more!
7.0 offers so much more! More than 300 Core bugs, 486 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/ bugs, 77 enhancements and feature requests, and 35 blessed tasks have been marked as fixed in WordPress 7.0.
Below are a few to highlight:
* Site Health: OPCache added to `Site Health > Info > Server` (Trac #63697)
* Editor: Name/description metadata added to patterns when saved (Trac #64123 )
* Script Loader: Allow scripts to depend on modules: (Trac #61500)
* Script Loader: HTML5 script theme support deprecated and removed (Trac #64442)
* General: Allow hooking into `wp_trigger_error()` when `WP_DEBUG` is not truthy. (Trac #60886)
* Multisite: Networks and Sites no longer automatically mark website as spam when an account is marked as spam (Trac #61146)
* Themes: PHP 8.1 deprecation notice handling (Trac #64864)
* Editor: Bottom margins removed from all components, and margin-free styles are now default. (GB #39358)
**_Thank you to everyone who contributed to this version of WordPress, whether through code, testing, or something else – your contributions matter and help Make WordPress._**
_Props to @westonruter, @sabernhardt, @marybaum, @jeffpaul, @jorbin, @desrosj,_ _@ coffee2code, @audrasjb, @wildworks and @ankit-k-gupta for collaboration and review._
_Edit 5/17/26: Add DataViews dev notedev note Each important change in WordPress Core is documented in a developers note, (usually called dev note). Good dev notes generally include a description of the change, the decision that led to this change, and a description of how developers are supposed to work with that change. Dev notes are published on Make/Core blog during the beta phase of WordPress release cycle. Publishing dev notes is particularly important when plugin/theme authors and WordPress developers need to be aware of those changes.In general, all dev notes are compiled into a Field Guide at the beginning of the release candidate phase., update Connectors screen image, add textIndent block support dev note, remove mention of playlist block, add mention of margin-free styles default._
_Edit 5/18/26 Remove Notes section, insert new Gallery block slideshow image_
#7-0, #field-guide
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