Another WordPress release is out, and it’s none other than WordPress 6.4 ‘Shirley,’ named after the legendary jazz artist Shirley Horn. As tradition goes, each release of WordPress bears the name of an influential figure and this time, an outstanding new default theme, Twenty Twenty-Four, accompanies it. The release brings forth an aesthetically pleasing design and a host of features, quality-of-life improvements, and essential fixes.
This release is also about the people behind it. WordPress 6.4 is special because an underrepresented release squad crafted it. This intentional choice aims to welcome and empower diverse voices in the WordPress open-source project. You can learn more about the release from the official announcement.
“The WordPress 6.4 release comes to you from an underrepresented gender release squad to welcome and empower diverse voices in the WordPress open source project.”
WordPress.org
Why does this matter? Often, it’s hard to get started contributing, and having a release focused on creating a space for mentoring and opportunity is critical to raising new voices and creating space for contributors. If you feel excluded, it can be hard to speak up, so creating a space for inclusion offers an opportunity for all voices.
This is the second such release and has release leads in various areas, from release coordinators, core and editor tech leads to design leads, as well as cohorts or contribution groups focused on each area. These groups aim to provide insights and a way for people to learn, even become if they want future leads.
Noteworthy Features of WordPress 6.4 ‘Shirley’
New Design – Twenty Twenty-Four: The most visible aspect of WordPress 6.4 is the introduction of the Twenty Twenty-Four default theme. Crafted with meticulous detail, Twenty Twenty-Four is designed to be versatile, catering to entrepreneurs, small businesses, photographers, artists, writers, and bloggers. Its flexible templates and patterns make it a block theme fully compatible with the site editor tooling.
Enhanced Writing Experience: The update incorporates shortcuts and features to streamline the writing process on your website, offering users a more efficient and user-friendly writing environment.
Command Palette for Quick Navigation: Introducing the Command Palette, a tool designed to facilitate swift navigation within the WordPress interface. This feature enhances user experience by simplifying the search for specific functions.
Simplified Patterns and Designs: WordPress 6.4 simplifies the organization and discovery of various website designs. This optimization ensures a user-friendly experience for individuals seeking diverse and aesthetically pleasing layouts.
Optimized Image Presentation: Elevate the visual appeal of your website with improved picture-perfect features, including full-screen views, contributing to an enhanced viewing experience for visitors.
Structured Website Elements: Say goodbye to confusion with the introduction of the option to assign unique names to different sections of your website, fostering a more organized and structured content presentation.
Visual Preview of Images: Enhancing user convenience, the update allows users to preview miniature images without the need to open them individually, streamlining the content creation process.
Effortless Content Sharing: WordPress 6.4 facilitates seamless content sharing between websites. Users can easily transfer and utilize content created on one website to another, fostering collaborative and interconnected online spaces.
Advanced Feature for Web Development Experts – Block Hooks: Catering to experienced web developers, the update introduces Block Hooks, a new feature designed for individuals proficient in website development, providing advanced tools for customization.
Performance Enhancement – Faster Website Tool: Experience a notable improvement in the speed and functionality of the website tool, ensuring a more efficient and responsive user interface.
Enhanced Accessibility – User-Friendly Interface: In an effort to make the tool accessible to a broader audience, WordPress has implemented improvements for users requiring additional assistance. This ensures a more inclusive and user-friendly experience for all individuals.
Global Collaboration: The development of WordPress 6.4 is a testament to global collaboration, with contributors from diverse geographical locations coming together to create a comprehensive and impactful update.
Empowering Future Contributors and Navigating Phases:
WordPress 6.4 introduces new features while emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusivity. This release comes from an underrepresented release squad, showcasing WordPress’s commitment to welcoming a variety of voices into its open-source project.
As we move forward, it’s worth noting that WordPress is currently in Phase 3 of its development. Interestingly, WordPress 6.4 focuses on Phase 2 developments, emphasizing the platform’s forward-thinking approach. This distinction showcases WordPress’s dedication to maintaining stability while continuously evolving.
Inpsyde’s Commitment to WordPress Contributions
Our dedication extends beyond routine contributions, as evidenced by our active participation in the ‘Five for the Future’ initiative.
Inpsyde sponsors four contributors for a total of 20 hours per week across eight teams, underscoring our commitment to the continuous improvement and sustainability of WordPress. Explore more about Inpsyde’s involvement and our unique perspective on WordPress as an enterprise CMS.
Tammie Lister’s Dedication
A noteworthy figure in this journey is Tammie Lister, an Inpsyder whose contributions have spanned many versions, including the current 6.4 release. Her steadfast commitment symbolizes the enduring spirit of individuals within the WordPress community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, WordPress 6.4 ‘Shirley’ signifies a technological leap and a celebration of diversity, empowerment, and a collective commitment to making WordPress a platform that stands the test of time.
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