WordPress 6.3: What’s New and How to Make the Most of It
WordPress 6.3, the second major release of 2023, has just hit the digital scene. With a slew of significant updates, new features, and performance enhancements, this latest WordPress version promises to elevate your website-building experience. In this comprehensive article, we’ll delve into the exciting changes that WordPress 6.3 brings to the table and highlight the features you should explore post-update.
**Note**: Keep in mind that WordPress 6.3 is a major release. Unless you are on a managed WordPress hosting service, you will need to manually initiate the update. Be sure to follow our guide on how to safely update WordPress for step-by-step instructions. And as a precautionary measure, remember to create a complete backup of your WordPress site before proceeding with the update.
Now, let’s dive into the remarkable features of WordPress 6.3:
**1. New Site Editor Navigation**
WordPress 6.3 debuts a sleeker navigation experience for the site editor. The left column now neatly presents Navigation, Styles, Pages, Templates, and Patterns. This organized layout makes it a breeze for users to pinpoint the section they wish to edit. Notably, the new navigation interface boasts a convenient search button at the top, which leads us to the exciting addition of the Command Palette, discussed later in this article. One noteworthy change is that Template Parts have been moved under Patterns for better organization.
**2. Improved Pattern Management**
Pattern management in WordPress 6.3 has received a significant upgrade in the Site Editor. With Patterns now featured prominently in the navigation menu, users can effortlessly access both synced and unsynced patterns, along with template parts. Reusable blocks have been renamed as Synced Patterns, conveniently accessible under the My Patterns tab. These patterns can be applied across your website, with changes affecting all instances. On the other hand, Unsynced patterns can be used anywhere without altering the original pattern. Additionally, you can create new patterns or template parts by clicking the Add (+) button. Links to manage all your patterns and template parts can be found at the bottom of the navigation column.
**3. Edit Pages in The Site Editor**
In response to user feedback, WordPress 6.3 simplifies the process of creating and editing pages directly from the site editor. Clicking on the Pages menu in the Editor navigation provides you with a list of your pages. You can easily edit an existing page or initiate the creation of a new page draft with a single click of the add (+) button.
**4. Easily Switch Theme Styles in The Site Editor**
Previously tucked away in the Styles panel, theme styles are now prominently displayed in the site editor navigation. This user-friendly adjustment allows users to select their preferred style and immediately begin customization.
**5. Preview Themes in The Site Editor**
A new feature in WordPress 6.3 is the ability to preview block themes directly within the site editor. Navigate to the Appearance page in the admin area and click the Live Preview button beneath a block theme. This opens the theme in the site editor, offering a live preview of your content in the selected theme. You can make edits, experiment with styles, apply custom colors, and finalize your changes before officially activating the theme. It’s important to note that classic themes without site editor support will still use the old theme customizer for live previews.
**6. Style Revisions for Easy Undo**
WordPress has long provided the ability to save multiple revisions of your content. Now, WordPress 6.3 extends this functionality to styles. You can easily view revisions for your styles by selecting a style or block in the Styles panel and clicking on the ‘Revisions’ button. This allows you to track changes and revert to a previous style version by clicking the Apply button.
**7. Introducing the New Command Palette Tool**
Efficiency is key, and WordPress 6.3 recognizes this by introducing the Command Palette tool. Keyboard shortcuts are great for boosting productivity, and now, with WordPress 6.3, you have a Command Palette tool at your disposal. While editing a WordPress post, page, or within the site editor, simply press CTRL+K or Command+K on your keyboard. This will bring up a search popup where you can access various keyboard shortcuts, toggle panels, create new posts or pages, and navigate to the site editor with ease. Furthermore, third-party developers can utilize the Command Palette tool’s API to add their own commands, enhancing its functionality.
**8. Two New Blocks in The Block Editor**
WordPress 6.3 introduces two brand-new blocks to enrich your content creation experience:
**Footnotes Block**: Easily add references to resources at the bottom of your article using the Footnotes block. This eliminates the need for manual creation or additional plugins.
**Details Block**: The Details block enables you to hide content, requiring users to click on an item to reveal hidden content. You can include various block types within it, making it versatile for creating FAQ sections, trivia questions, info panels, and more.
**9. Better Padding and Margin Tools**
WordPress 6.3 enhances the padding and margin tools, making them more space-efficient and user-friendly. This improvement simplifies the customization of your website’s layout.
**10. Select Aspect Ratio for Your Images**
Instead of resizing and cropping images, WordPress 6.3 allows users to select an aspect ratio for displaying images. This ensures consistent visuals across different devices and screen sizes.
**11. Improved Top Toolbar**
The top toolbar in the post editor has undergone a transformation. It now offers a cleaner editing experience with a more accessible top panel, providing quicker access to important functions.
**12. Cover Block with Layout and Color Options**
The Cover block has been revamped in WordPress 6.3. Similar to the Group block, users can now choose a layout for the Cover block. Additionally, the block settings panel offers more design options. Users can also apply Duotone filters to the Cover block, just like with the Image block.
**13. Link Control Enhancement**
Link control settings in the block editor have been improved in WordPress 6.3. This enhancement streamlines the process of creating links, including the ability to create a new page directly from the link control popup.
With WordPress 6.3, the popular content management system continues to evolve, offering a more user-friendly and feature-rich environment for website creation and customization. Whether you’re a seasoned WordPress user or a newcomer, these updates are designed to enhance your experience and empower you to create stunning websites with ease. So, don’t hesitate to explore the new features and improvements that WordPress 6.3 has to offer, and take your website to the next level.
