WordPress 6.3 Beta 2 is ready for download and testing. This is the first release of the 6.3 cycle, as there was no Beta 1 due to technical issues with packaging the release. Rather than further delaying a beta release, the release squad has decided to package and ship Beta 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This version of the WordPress software is under development.<\/strong> Please do not install, run, or test this version of WordPress on production or mission-critical websites.<\/strong> Instead, the release squad recommends you evaluate Beta 2 on a test server and site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress 6.3 demonstrates incredible progress toward achieving the goals outlined in the WordPress roadmap<\/a> and is the final major release of Phase 2<\/a>. Phase 2 has focused mainly on the Site Editor, enabling site creators to build websites, design compelling layouts, and manage content without toggling between multiple configuration areas or editing code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more about Gutenberg updates debuting since WordPress 6.2 by reviewing prior editions of What\u2019s New in Gutenberg<\/em> posts for 15.2<\/a>, 15.3<\/a>, 15.4<\/a>, 15.5<\/a>, 15.6<\/a>, 15.7<\/a>, 15.8<\/a>, 15.9<\/a>, 16.0<\/a>, and 16.1<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress is the result of contributions by users, developers, and extenders across the globe. As this community seeks new features, the platform will continue to evolve, including the site editing features and beyond. Get an overview of the 6.3 release cycle<\/a>, and check the Make WordPress Core blog<\/a> for 6.3-related posts<\/a> in the coming weeks for further details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This latest WordPress release includes many updates spanning all platform areas, emphasizing the editing experience and polishing usability. This release contains more than 500 new features and enhancements and 400+ bug fixes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the incredible performance improvements introduced in 6.2<\/a>, the release includes more than 170 performance-related updates, including adding defer and async support to the WP Scripts API<\/a> and fetchpriority support for images<\/a>. Optimizations were made to block template resolution<\/a>, image lazy-loading<\/a>, and the emoji loader<\/a>, all of which benefit LCP performance. Support for PHP versions 8.0<\/a>, 8.1<\/a>, and 8.2<\/a> has been improved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Site Editor expands to include navigating and editing pages<\/a>, styles<\/a>, templates<\/a>, and content<\/a>. The unified site editing experience will include a distraction-free mode<\/a>, enhanced navigation<\/a>, and an improved loading experience<\/a>. Additionally, you can use the Site Editor to preview a block theme<\/a> and adjust your site before activating the new theme. This release includes style revisions<\/a> so you can toggle between and preview different saved styles. Rounding out the changes, 6.3 ushers in a new Command Palette<\/a>, enabling users to context switch and perform actions quickly across different sections of the site editing experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA first look at 6.3<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Performance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Site Editor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n