It’s already been a groundbreaking year with the major release of WordPress 5.9, followed by 6.0 (Joséphine and Arturo). But innovation moves quickly, especially in a community of driven developers, designers, creators, and contributors. So, it should be no surprise that WordPress 6.1 is already in the works. Like all releases, this next version will improve upon previous cycles to deliver a more intuitive, seamless experience.
What to Expect in WordPress 6.1
In his recently-published Roadmap of WordPress 6.1, Matias Ventura (the lead architect of WordPress’ Gutenberg) explored what users can look forward to in the next release. Most of these changes address user feedback and reported bugs, so anticipation is high. Updates include:
Easy Browsing
New browsing capabilities in the Site Editor will allow users to effectively “zoom-out” for a more accurate picture of how their site looks and functions. “Browse mode” will offer complete clarity when it comes to structuring.
Improved Patterns
Patterns will level up in 6.1. It will be easier than ever to get creative with patterns, build a site using them, and tweak them for specific block types. Plus, managing patterns you’ve already created will be more seamless than before.
Better Control with Global Styles
Site designers and developers who cater to clients will be thrilled with the updated Global Styles, which are set to have more options for restrictions and rules. Global Styles presets will also see an improvement.
These are just some of the exciting enhancements we can look forward to in WordPress 6.1.
How to Contribute
WordPress gets better year after year because of key contributions by users like you. With your help, 6.1 should be the best version of WordPress yet. There are plenty of ways to help during the development cycle, regardless of your technical knowledge:
Join the Release Squad
Release teams handle the development process of new WordPress releases from start to finish. Each new version of WP has a unique team that takes charge of everything from code to documentation to marketing. Gain more insight on release roles and responsibilities here. There are still plenty of open slots on the 6.1 release squad for those that want to take an active role in the evolution of WordPress.
Solve Bugs
Users report bugs when something in WordPress isn’t quite right. If you have technical or coding skills, volunteer to test and solve bugs and improve user experience. If you’re new to the tech world, don’t worry — the WordPress community is always inclusive, and they notate which bugs are suitable for first-timers. If you aren’t up for solving bugs, remember that you can still file them if something seems amiss. WordPress values all feedback.
Anticipation is High
Whether you’re a contributor, a user, or both, WordPress 6.1 is an exciting milestone to look forward to. Not only will this release improve the features you already know and love, but it will also usher in new experiences for greater control and creativity. Be sure to follow the Ninja Forms blog for more updates as the development cycle unfolds.
