Today, we will talk about WordPress 6.3 and what the actual WordPress developers, Team Leaders, and Project Managers think about the latest update, Lionel.

WordPress 6.3 is here; you should know its features. I will quickly mention the new things that are here.

'Save' the pattern blocks and reusable blocks

So, if you insert a header image and a text on it, you have created your pattern here. You can then save it as a sync pattern or a non-sync pattern. Sync patterns are in reusable blocks, and non-sync patterns are in non-reusable blocks.

The sync patterns are similar to the global content editor in HubSpot. Once you change it, the changes reflect where that pattern is used across the website. The non-sync patterns will not reflect changes in any block if you change it in one place.

You can use this feature in headers, footers, forms, or wherever you want the same content throughout the website.

Here's what Computan's custom WordPress developer and Team Lead, Hassan Hashmi, thinks of these blocks, "Some new blocks are added as well in the block editor, which isn't very useful for me, at least."

A custom WordPress developer like Hassan Hashmi may not be impressed with blocks and pattern updates, but there is something for everyone in 6.3 Lionel. "The most important features that I have noticed are that they have now provided built-in performance/speed optimization features that were much required and some JS improvements. Now you can design and preview live, just like other page builders," says Hassan Hashmi.

Sliders

You can see the sliders for margins and padding on the right side of your editing page. Previously, you had to insert numbers manually. This doesn't add to your website but eases the way you work. The overall style has improved. "New design tools for blocks, such as padding and margin controls, aspect ratio options, caption styles, duotone filters, and cover block enhancements are all impressive," Habib Ullah, WordPress developer, Computan.

Details Block

Then, we have the details block. You will see it on the left side column. It works like an accordion. Create and place a list or insert an image video in accordion style.

Footnote

Then, we have the option of the footnotes. Select the text you want a footnote on and click on the three dots of options in the bar that appeared. Upon clicking on the footnote option, you are taken to the bottom of the page at the correct footnote number, and you can paste the link or whatever you want to mention.

Full Site Editing

The major change has happened on the editor side. The full site editing thing is on it. Go to Appearances and then to Editor.

On the left-hand side, you will find many features. Previously, there were only patterns and templates, but now there are navigation, styles, and pages.

You can set up the "page list" and "Hello World" on the navigation page. Then, you have the command section at the top center of the page. You can go anywhere from here. You can go to styles, pages, and other options.
In navigation, you can do all the menu settings. You can add and arrange all the elements.

PHP 5

WordPress 6.3 ends support to PHP 5. It is an old version, and if you have a server on PHP 8.1, then that's good.

Performance Improvement

There are 170+ performance updates, which are nice to have.

With each new update, WordPress is making the CMS more user-friendly. With the latest updates, WordPress has become so powerful that you can design your website from the dashboard.

Habib Ullah, WordPress developer, Computan noticed and liked the following updates in WordPress 6.3 Lionel.

  • A new style revisions feature lets you track and restore changes to your site's appearance. You can see how your site looked at a specific time and undo any unwanted changes.
  • Two new blocks are the Post Comments and Post Comment Form blocks.
  • A new link control enhancement allows you to open links in a new tab or window and add a NoFollow or sponsored attribute to links.

Did I miss anything worth mentioning here?