WordPress 6.4, code-named “Lionel,” has been released as the second major release of the year.
This significant update integrates ten Gutenberg versions into the WordPress core, introducing valuable features like synchronized patterns and style revisions. These additions enrich the block editor’s functionality and open up new avenues for customization.
Moreover, WordPress 6.4 delivers performance enhancements and developer-centric updates. These include a fresh database query caching system and the introduction of the command palette API.
Let’s delve into the exciting features and improvements that WordPress 6.3 has brought to the table.
New site editor navigation
WordPress 6.4 enhances the site editor’s navigation experience with a streamlined layout. You will find convenient sections for Navigation, Styles, Pages, Templates, and Patterns in the left column. These improvements make it easier for users to access and edit specific parts of their websites.
The new navigation interface also introduces a search button at the top. Clicking on it will unveil the new command palette, a feature we’ll explore in more detail shortly.
Improved pattern management
In WordPress 6.4, navigating to Patterns reveals synced and unsynced patterns and template parts.
Formerly known as reusable blocks, they’re now labeled Synced Patterns, accessible under the My Patterns tab. Changes to these patterns ripple across the entire website, ensuring consistent updates.
Conversely, unsynced patterns offer flexibility, enabling alterations without impacting the original pattern, making them suitable for diverse applications.
Easily Switch Theme Styles in The Site Editor
Previously, theme styles were somewhat hidden within the Styles panel in the site editor, which might have been less noticeable for beginners.
In WordPress 6.4, users can easily spot the styles directly in the site editor navigation. This lets users quickly choose their preferred style and commence immediate edits to suit their preferences.
Padding and margin tools
The latest WordPress update streamlines the user experience by optimizing the padding and margin tools. Unlike before, where unlinked tools occupied considerable space, the new design is more compact and user-friendly. This enhancement aims to provide users with a more efficient and visually pleasing editing environment.
Preview Themes in The Site Editor
WordPress 6.4 is a handy feature enabling users to preview block themes directly within the site editor. Simply head to the Appearance page in the admin area and click the Live Preview button beneath a block theme.
Once clicked, the theme will open in the site editor, offering a live preview of how your content would look in the new theme. This allows you to experiment with edits, try various styles, customize colors, and make adjustments before committing to the theme. Remember that to save these changes, you’ll need to activate the theme.
Style Revisions to Easily Undo Changes
With WordPress 6.4, tracking and managing style revisions is as seamless as handling content revisions. When editing your styles, you can access the ‘Revisions’ button and explore the ‘Revision history.’
This feature empowers you to review past style changes, making it effortless to pinpoint specific alterations and roll back to a previous state. It’s a valuable tool for refining your site’s appearance.
New Blocks in The Block Editor
Footnotes
In WordPress 6.4, adding footnotes to your articles becomes a breeze with the new Footnotes block.
No more manual insertion or reliance on additional plugins. Access the three-dot menu in the toolbar, select ‘Footnote,’ and effortlessly integrate your references at the bottom of your article. It’s a streamlined solution for a more efficient and organized writing process.
Link Control in WordPress 6.4
WordPress 6.4 brings enhancements to the Link control settings in the block editor. With the improved settings, users can now create a new page directly from the link control popup. This streamlines the process, making it more convenient for users to manage links and create new pages seamlessly within the block editor.
