- \n
- Why the world\u2019s biggest physics lab made the leap to WordPress.<\/li>\n
- You can now customize your \u201cNext\u201d button. Use this power wisely.<\/li>\n
- Accessibility docs are finally getting the overhaul they deserve, and you can help!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Hot Off The Presses: What\u2019s New?<\/h2>\n
![\"Funny](\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/funny-recruiter-json-jason-tweet-1050x628.png\")
\u201cJSON? I don\u2019t know him too well, but he seems like a nice guy.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Top of the mornin\u2019 to ya, ladies and gentledevs!<\/p>\n
May the code rise to meet you, may your plugins never conflict, may the cache clear cleanly on the first try, and may your updates never break the site and until we meet again may the CSS hold you in the palm of its hand.<\/p>\n
Hope you\u2019re all ready to jump right into what\u2019s new in WordPress! <\/p>\n
June Dev Roundup: Sassy, Moody, Customizable \u2728<\/h2>\n
Let\u2019s be honest: half the battle of being a WordPress developer is just keeping up. The other half? Explaining to clients why Gutenberg doesn\u2019t do that yet<\/em>.<\/p>\n
Since 6.8 was released in April<\/a>, a lot has happened in WordPress that\u2019s worth checking out! Here\u2019s a quick run-down of what\u2019s fresh off the commit logs:<\/p>\n
Gutenberg now has a little more Sass<\/strong> \ud83d\udc85
\nGutenberg 20.9 updated to the modern Sass module system, which is a welcome upgrade that\u2019ll keep the codebase up to date with Sass standards. Watch out though: the package requires Dart Sass to compile and legacy Sass compilers like Ruby Sass and LibSass are no longer supported.<\/p>\nFade to Awesome<\/strong> \ud83d\udca8
\nEver wished that users navigating your website would get a smooth, fade-out animation between pages – like the legendary PowerPoint presentations you used to make in school? Check out this new plugin<\/a> announced by the Core Performance team.<\/p>\n\u201cThank you, next!\u201d<\/strong> \u27a1\ufe0f
\nYou can now customize the text for the \u201cnext\u201d and \u201cprevious\u201d<\/a> buttons when using the Guide component in your project. Great for building sites in different languages, or for adding cheeky alternatives like, \u201cLet\u2019s Gooo\u2026\u201d and \u201cOoops, Go Back!\u201d<\/p>\nThe full scoop on what\u2019s recently dropped, straight from the core team:
\nSee what\u2019s new \u2192<\/a><\/p>\nCERN\u2019s Big Bang Migration<\/h2>\n
We always knew the universe was expanding. We just didn\u2019t expect it to include over 1,000 new WordPress installs from the home of the Large Hadron Collider and casual discoverer of the Higgs boson.<\/p>\n
Yes, that<\/em> CERN, aka the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is officially migrating its websites from Drupal to WordPress.<\/p>\n
CERN\u2019s official announcement \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n
So why the shift?<\/p>\n
CERN found Drupal had become too complex and difficult to maintain. WordPress, on the other hand, offered improved usability, better accessibility, and the benefits of an actively developed, ever-evolving platform.<\/p>\n
Translation: it\u2019s easier for scientists (and the rest of us mere mortals) to use, and it empowers content creators without requiring a PhD in front-end dev.<\/p>\n
The new CERN WordPress platform is already live for production use and you can find more about the migration plans here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t just a migration, it\u2019s a gravitational shift. And if WordPress is the CMS of choice for the folks unraveling the secrets of the universe, it\u2019s safe to say it\u2019s fit for anything we can throw at it.<\/p>\n
TL;DR:<\/strong> WordPress just got a cosmic thumbs-up from the birthplace of the web<\/a>. We love to see it.<\/p>\n
Better Accessibility Docs are Coming to WordPress!<\/h2>\n
You know that moment when you\u2019re trying to build something accessible in WordPress… and the docs feel like a scavenger hunt designed by someone who\u2019s maybe<\/em> never even used a screen reader?<\/p>\n
Good news: the WordPress community is finally tackling it.<\/p>\n
At WordCamp Europe 2025 Contributor Day (shoutout to everyone who was there in Basel), accessibility legends Rian Rietveld<\/a> and Joe Dolson<\/a> launched a brand new initiative to overhaul WordPress\u2019s accessibility documentation.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what\u2019s coming:<\/p>\n
- \n
- The Accessibility Handbook is moving to GitHub<\/strong><\/a> (hell yes, version control!)<\/li>\n
- Practical, real-world examples will be added (because theory is nice but code is nicer)<\/li>\n
- The community will be surveyed on what\u2019s missing, confusing, or just plain broken.<\/li>\n
- Starting from November, they\u2019ll be inviting more devs to roll up their sleeves and get to work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In short: the project is about making accessibility accessible<\/em>, for devs, designers, and anyone trying to do the right thing without losing their will to live in outdated docs.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the kind of behind-the-scenes effort that doesn\u2019t make headlines\u2026 but should<\/em>.<\/p>\n
Want to follow the project (or better yet, contribute)?<\/p>\n
\u2192 Here\u2019s the official kickoff post<\/a>
\n\u2192 Fill out the survey here<\/a><\/p>\nMind Bloggling Facts & Stats<\/h2>\n
- \n
- Automattic hired its first software developer 20 years ago, in June 2005. That\u2019s the same year the first YouTube video was uploaded, and the iPod Shuffle dropped. Feel old yet? (Source<\/strong><\/a>)<\/li>\n
- Speaking of old things\u2026 As of July 2025, the WordPress Security Team will no longer provide security updates for versions 4.1 through 4.6. After all, over 99% of WordPress installations run on a more recent version. So, unless you\u2019re running a museum of internet archeology, you\u2019re probably safe. (Source<\/strong><\/a>)<\/li>\n
- As of today, there are 92 bug fixes on Make WordPress Core that have been marked as \u201cgood first bugs\u201d for newbie contributors to cut their teeth on when getting started. They\u2019re well-contained, straightforward to solve and won\u2019t lead you down a 47-browser-tab rabbit hole – hopefully! (Source<\/strong><\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Blogs & Resources You Shouldn\u2019t Miss<\/h2>\n
Coding with AI is fun, until you remember users exist. (Just ask Brian Coords<\/a>)<\/p>\n
WordCamp organizing: 90% chaos, 10% caffeine-fueled miracles. Leo\u2019s got the scars to prove it<\/a>.<\/p>\n
A story of resilience, purpose, and showing up, Stacy\u2019s episode on Seriously, Bud<\/a> will leave you inspired.<\/p>\n
Kurt & Toby ask<\/a>: Are we building the future\u2026 or just faking it till we break it?<\/p>\n
Testing doesn\u2019t have to suck. Ryan shows you<\/a> how to automate the boring bits.<\/p>\n
Inclusivity isn\u2019t a checkbox, it\u2019s a mindset<\/a>. A thoughtful must-read for WordPress builders.<\/p>\n
This interactive explainer by Brendan Bycroft walks you through how an LLM works<\/a> – in a fun visual that actually makes sense. <\/p>\n
Coffee Break Distractions<\/h2>\n
Reddit: Come for the memes and the cynical comments, but only if you\u2019ve had your eyeballs verified<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Deborah Butler made a \u201cWaiting Room<\/a>\u201d that\u2019s a retro-themed fever dream with plenty of fun easter eggs.<\/p>\n
Speaking of waiting times, here\u2019s a relevant XKCD<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Not a designer? Not a problem. This tool<\/a> makes your site look like you have taste.<\/p>\n
WordPress is on TikTok now<\/a>? We\u2019re one dance away from \u201c\ud83d\udc85 hot girl dev tips.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nathan Wrigley\u2019s worried about AI\u2019s uncanny ability to get things wrong with confidence<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The fried egg is back<\/a> by popular demand.<\/p>\n
And finally\u2026<\/p>\n
- Speaking of old things\u2026 As of July 2025, the WordPress Security Team will no longer provide security updates for versions 4.1 through 4.6. After all, over 99% of WordPress installations run on a more recent version. So, unless you\u2019re running a museum of internet archeology, you\u2019re probably safe. (Source<\/strong><\/a>)<\/li>\n
- The Accessibility Handbook is moving to GitHub<\/strong><\/a> (hell yes, version control!)<\/li>\n