There’s news! Following a change in plans, there will be one final major WordPress release in 2025: version 6.9 is scheduled for December 2. We also share updates on exciting core contributions since April, recent maintenance releases, and notable WordPress events.
WordPress 6.9
WordPress 6.9 is scheduled for release on December 2, 2025. Since our last newsletter, the release plan changed; while we previously mentioned there would be no further major release this year, 6.9 will now be the final update of 2025. This update focuses on improving the Site Editor, making content editing easier and more collaborative.
Key features include:
- Simplified editing mode in the Site Editor
- Improved template management with support for multiple templates per slug and draft templates
- Block-level commenting for direct feedback on individual blocks
- Block visibility toggling to hide blocks temporarily without deleting them
- Command Palette for quick navigation and action execution
For developers, WordPress 6.9 introduces:
- Abilities API to standardize and expose WordPress capabilities
- Interactivity API improvements
- Performance enhancements such as faster data loading and improved caching Experimental features like a modular admin and new early-testing tools will be available as plugins
Helpful links:
Updates since April
Since April, WordPress has released the 6.8.1 maintenance update addressing various fixes and prepared the 6.8.2 release, which includes an important bugfix for the Query Inherit feature. The Gutenberg plugin also saw key enhancements: the ability to select HTML tags for Button and Separator blocks, and expanded customization options for the Social Icons block through block variations in code.
A notable event was the announcement of the FAIR project, a new coalition-backed initiative, developed with the Linux Foundation’s support. It lets users and hosts connect to independent, federated repositories for core, plugin, theme, and update management—removing reliance on WordPress.org.
Several WordPress events have taken place since April including the WordCamp Leipzig in May, WCEU in Basel on June 5-7, and the first WordPress Online Meetup in Germany on July 16, which was spearheaded by Jessica Lyschik. We are very happy to have taken part in numerous interesting and exciting discussions.
Helpful links:
Core Contribution News
In April and May, our WP core contributors tackled important improvements around WordPress 6.8. Jessica Lyschik fixed issues with dynamic templates and the Query Loop block, advocated for clearer separation between page and template editing modes, and worked on making the Site Editor menu easier to manage. Meanwhile, Tammie Lister improved the extensibility board and explored better layout previews and developer workflows.
In June, Jessica published a series of long-overdue “What’s new in Gutenberg?” updates and joined discussions on extensibility to support developers and plugin creators. Tammie focused on design triage and backlog cleanup, participated in extensibility discussions and collaborated on pull requests.
In July, Tammie continued reviewing design issues, improving editor extensibility, and helping shape priorities for WordPress 6.9 through feedback, triage, and new tickets.
Helpful links:
Core Contribution News in April+ May
