WordPress 6.7 Features and Hands-On Review

WordPress 6.6 was a big hit, and now we’re gearing up for the next exciting release, WordPress 6.7, coming out on November 12th, 2024. Version 6.6 of WordPress will be the last release of 2024, and it will come with a new default theme called the Twenty Twenty-Five.

One of the coolest new features in 6.7 is the ability to zoom out when you’re working with patterns. This will make it much easier to see the big picture of your layout and make adjustments.

WordPress 6.7 is also bringing some exciting technical improvements! You’ll be able to upload HEIC image files directly, making it simpler to add images to your website.

Developers will also benefit from the new Template Registration API, which will make it easier to create and manage custom templates and template parts.

Keep reading to learn more about the new upcoming features of WordPress 6.7.

How to install and test WordPress 6.7?

The release candidate 2 (RC2) of WordPress 6.7 is here, offering a chance to explore new features before the official launch. Here are four methods you can use to test it out:

• Plugin: You can install the WordPress Beta Tester plugin. Once you have completed the installation, activate the plugin (Select the “Bleeding Edge” channel and “Beta/RC Only” stream).
• Direct Download: Download the RC 2 version (zip) and install it on a WordPress website.
• Command Line: Use this WP-CLI command: wp core update –version=6.6-beta1
• WordPress Playground: If you don’t want to install the Beta version, you can still test it from the 6.7 RC 2 WordPress Playground instance on your browser.

Note: Please do not install, run, or test this version of WordPress on production or mission-critical websites. You risk unexpected results if you do.

Features

1. Introducing the Twenty Twenty-Five theme

The new default theme, Twenty Twenty-Five, is packed with flexibility and style. It’s designed to help you tell your unique story in countless ways. With a variety of patterns and styles at your fingertips, you can create a website that truly stands out.

This concept of simplicity and complexity leads to a reliable foundation for extending a default WordPress experience to make it yours.

Here is what we love about Twenty Twenty-Five:

• Content-centric design: Text-centric blogs with sidebars, photo blogs that highlight featured images, and more complex blogs with diverse content
• Performance and accessibility: Enjoy a smooth browsing experience on any device, thanks to the lightweight and optimized design.
• Block pattern library: A wide variety of new pre-built patterns were designed for various purposes, such as services, about, landing pages, products, calls to action, events, and others.
• Customization: Easily customize colors, fonts, and layouts to match your unique style. 
• Style Variations: New color palettes are added that can be used to easily switch the color scheme of your website. 

2. Interactive API Improvement

The Interactivity API is getting a significant upgrade, promising more stable code execution and improved performance. This will particularly benefit interactive blocks like the Gallery block, which now supports lightbox functionality, enhancing user experience.

Meanwhile, Gutenberg is set to receive several updates to boost its functionality. One noticeable addition is the introduction of a free-form crop for images, granting users more flexibility to edit visuals directly within the editor.

3. Upgraded font management

WordPress 6.7 brings significant enhancements to the Styles interface, particularly in font customization. Users now have greater control over font size presets, making it easier to create and apply custom sizes across their websites.

One of the most exciting updates is the introduction of fluid typography. This feature enables text to scale dynamically, adapting to different screen sizes. This ensures that your text remains responsive and readable, whether viewed on a smartphone or a desktop.

Managing fonts has also become more efficient with the new Font Library. This saves time, especially for users managing multiple custom fonts on their websites. Fonts can now be grouped by their source, and you can even activate or deactivate multiple fonts simultaneously.

4. Zoom Out mode

Navigating lengthy pages with numerous blocks and sections can be a challenge. WordPress 6.7 simplifies this process with the new “zoom-out” view in the site editor. This feature offers a broader perspective of your content layout, making it easier to manage and organize complex pages.

To access this view, simply click the “Zoom Out” button in the top right toolbar. This will provide a more efficient editing workflow.

5. Simplified Query Loops

The Query Loop block, a powerful tool introduced in WordPress 6.1, gets even better in 6.7. Now, it automatically inherits queries from the template, saving you the hassle of manual configuration. This makes it easier than ever to display dynamic content like posts and pages, opening up new possibilities for a wider range of users.

6. Security Updates & Performance Enhancements

WordPress 6.7 is a significant step forward, prioritizing both security and performance. To enhance security, the platform has implemented advanced authentication mechanisms to protect your website from potential threats. 

Additionally, by restricting modification permissions to admin users, WordPress 6.7 reduces the risk of unauthorized changes that could compromise your site’s integrity.

When it comes to performance, WordPress 6.7 has introduced several optimizations, including expanded background image support and auto-sizing for lazy-loaded images. This allows you to create visually stunning websites that are also incredibly efficient. 

These improvements not only enhance the user experience but also contribute to better search engine rankings

7. Template Registration API

With WordPress 6.7, developers can now register custom block templates more easily, eliminating the need for complex filters. This streamlined process allows for quicker and more efficient development of custom templates.

Please note that the features included in this initial beta release may be subject to change as testing progresses. Your feedback is crucial in shaping the final release of WordPress 6.7.

8. Media Improvements

One of the most exciting features is the support for HEIC image uploads. Now, you can easily add high-quality images directly to your media library from mobile devices without worrying about compatibility issues. WordPress automatically converts HEIC images to JPEG format, ensuring seamless display across different browsers and devices.

Additionally, you’ll have more control over background images at both individual and global levels. Whether you want to add a subtle background to a specific block or create a consistent theme for your entire site, WordPress 6.7 provides the tools to make it happen.

9. Refined Data Views

WordPress 6.7 continues to refine the Data Views feature, making it even more powerful and user-friendly. With the ability to reorder fields directly within the Data View configuration interface, you can now easily customize how your data is displayed and managed.

The user interface has also been enhanced, with the bulk actions menu now located in the footer for better accessibility. These improvements streamline your workflow and make managing content more efficient.

Check out WordPress.org’s Roadmap to 6.7 for more details and a full list of the features and functionalities we can expect in WordPress 6.7.

How you can contribute to WordPress

WordPress is a powerful platform, and it’s made even better by the dedicated community behind it. There are many ways to contribute and help shape the future of this popular platform. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Become a Beta Tester: Try out the latest features and help identify any bugs or issues. You can do this by installing the WordPress Beta Tester plugin or downloading the beta version directly.
• Report Issues: If you find something that doesn’t work as expected, please report it on the WordPress support forums or directly to the WordPress Trac.
• Hunt for Vulnerabilities: Help keep WordPress secure by participating in the vulnerability bounty program. If you find a security issue, report it responsibly following the guidelines on the HackerOne page.
• Translate WordPress: If you’re fluent in a language other than English, consider helping to translate WordPress into more than 100 languages. This makes WordPress accessible to a wider audience.
• Develop Themes and Plugins: If you’re a developer, create themes and plugins to extend WordPress’s functionality.

By joining the WordPress community, you’re not just contributing to a software project, you’re helping to build a better platform for everyone.