WordPress 6.6 Beta 1 is now available for testing. This release brings a number of new features and improvements that promise to further refine the user experience.
While still in development, this beta is an opportunity to identify and fix bugs before the final release, scheduled for July 16, 2024.
This article covers the main new features, how to test them, and why your participation is vital for the stability and usability of WordPress on websites .
Top New Features in WordPress 6.6 Beta 1
First, let's see what's new in this version.
Data visualization improvements
One of the major new features of this release is the updated data visualizations in the Site Editor. Now, with an improved layout, it is possible to manage patterns and template parts more intuitively and efficiently.
These changes aim to facilitate navigation and content bank data management, making the process more fluid and less prone to errors.
Synchronized patterns with overwrites
Another interesting feature is the ability to maintain the appearance of a synchronized pattern across different places on the site, but with different content.
For example, a recipe card template can keep the design consistent across multiple posts, while the content of each card can be unique. This flexibility allows for greater customization without compromising the visual uniformity of the site.
Improved block insertion
In version 6.6, inserting blocks has become more convenient. Now, when you select a block, you will see two lists: one with the blocks that can be added to the selected block and another with all the other available blocks. This makes it easier to view and insert blocks, streamlining your workflow.
Integrated publishing workflow
The publishing flow has been redesigned to provide a more unified experience across the post and site editors. This means that whether you’re writing a post or editing a page, the experience will be consistent, streamlining the process of creating and editing content.
Varieties of styles
With the new version, block themes that come with style variations offer an expanded range of design options. This includes color palettes and typography sets, allowing for greater creative freedom without the need to install or configure additional components.