The latest release of Gutenberg, version 19.9, marks a significant milestone for WordPress users, bringing a wave of enhancements and innovative tools to improve site design and functionality. Among the most notable additions is the extension of the Style Book feature to classic themes, a long-awaited update that bridges the gap between traditional WordPress designs and the cutting-edge functionality of Gutenberg. This release also introduces the Query Total block, developer-centric improvements, and a host of bug fixes, setting the stage for a transformative user experience as the year concludes.
WordPress users relying on classic themes can now enjoy the benefits of the Style Book, a feature previously exclusive to block themes. By supporting editor styles through add_theme_support(‘editor-styles’) or incorporating a theme.json file, classic themes can leverage the Style Book. This addition is accessible under the Appearance > Design > Styles section in the WordPress admin panel. To streamline the design process further, site patterns for these themes have been relocated to the Appearance > Design > Patterns section, centralizing design-related features for enhanced usability.
The introduction of the Query Total block is another highlight of Gutenberg 19.9. This new block integrates seamlessly with the Query Loop block, offering users the ability to display either the total number of results returned by a query or the current range within a set of paginated results. This enhancement is particularly useful for improving navigation and providing visitors with a clear understanding of the scope of content on a site. By adding context and clarity, the Query Total block significantly enhances the user experience and facilitates more intuitive interaction with site content.
For developers, Gutenberg 19.9 introduces several noteworthy tools and updates. The wp-env environment now includes phpMyAdmin, enabling developers to launch the tool directly and connect it automatically to a running MySQL database service. This feature simplifies the process of inspecting and managing WordPress databases during development, reducing the need for external configurations. Additionally, the Cover block now includes resolution controls for featured image backgrounds, offering more granular customization options. An inline reset button for color controls has also been added, allowing users to revert block and global style colors to their default settings with a single click, streamlining the design process.
The Query block also sees an improvement in its design options. Previously accessed through a modal interface, query block patterns are now available via a dropdown menu under the block toolbar’s “Change design” option. This change simplifies the design selection process, making it more user-friendly and accessible. Another practical addition is the ability to set a homepage directly within the Site Editor. Users can navigate to the Pages section, select their desired page, open the action menu, and designate it as the homepage, further integrating essential functionality into the editing interface.
In addition to new features, Gutenberg 19.9 addresses several critical bug fixes. The update resolves issues such as site editor crashes when adding a front-page template, visual alignment regressions in the navigation menu within the Site Editor, and critical errors in the Style Book when blocks were not registered. The update also corrects the List View not updating when switching between editor modes, ensuring a smoother editing experience for users.
As the final release of 2024, Gutenberg 19.9 sets the stage for continued innovation in the WordPress ecosystem. By blending robust features for classic themes with enhanced tools for developers and users alike, this release underscores WordPress’s commitment to adaptability and usability. As the WordPress community embraces these updates, the potential for more seamless, efficient, and creative site-building experiences grows ever stronger.