November 19, 2024 — The Block Bindings API, first introduced in WordPress 6.5, allowed the connection of custom fields (or any data) to Core blocks. However, this was just the beginning. Substantial improvements had been made by WordPress 6.7, enabling block attributes to be directly bound to custom fields from the Editor using an intuitive UI and a newly available public JavaScript API.

In this Developer Hours session, an overview of the Block Bindings API and how it works was provided, including major changes in the API since WordPress 6.5. The session demonstrated how to use the new Editor UI for binding attributes and work with the new JavaScript API. Whether you are new to Block Bindings or have already started using them in their projects, the session offered valuable insights for everyone.

Presentation Slides »

August 13, 2024 — Blocks have become integral to most WordPress projects. While Core blocks cover a wide range of content types and many third-party block libraries are available, you may eventually need functionality that doesn’t yet exist. If you’ve never had the chance to build a custom block or are unsure where to begin, this session is for you!

We explained how blocks are structured and defined within WordPress, giving you a foundational understanding of block.json, attributes, block supports, and more. You will learn the differences between statically and dynamically rendered blocks, along with the pros and cons of each. Finally, we introduced tools that will help you quickly start creating your own custom blocks.

Presentation Slides »

July 9, 2024 — As WordPress evolves, the gap between the Post and Site Editors is narrowing. In WordPress 6.6, slots and extensibility APIs are unified in the @wordpress/editor package global variable, simplifying the integration of extensions across editors for developers. The user interface is also becoming more standardized.

In this Developer Hours session, we explored how these updates can streamline your development process and enhance extensibility like never before. You will learn how to:

– Extend the Post and Site Editor using slots and why you might want to do so
– Display content only when specific conditions are met, such as when editing a custom post type
– Update existing extensions to work in both the Post and Site Editor
– Ensure updated extensions are backward compatible with WordPress 6.5 and lower

Presentation Slides »

June 11, 2024 — WordPress 6.6 will be released on July 16, 2024, and one of the exciting new features will be overrides for synced patterns. Overrides allow you to ensure a synced layout and style across patterns while allowing each instance of the pattern to have customized content. This provides flexibility to content editors while enforcing design consistency.

In this Developer Hours session, we explored how you’ll be able to implement overrides in 6.6 (or today using the Gutenberg plugin) and how they work under the hood. You will learn:

– What Synced Pattern Overrides are and when you should use them
– How to create overrides in the Editor
– What blocks and attributes are currently supported
– How overrides work at a fundamental level and their connection to the Block Bindings API
– How to share your feedback and help contribute to the future enhancement of this feature

Presentation Slides »

May 14, 2024 — Custom meta boxes have been a common tool used by plugin and theme developers to add additional functionality to posts and pages in WordPress. While meta boxes are supported in the Block Editor, they are considered a “legacy” tool and do not provide an ideal user experience. There are also a number of technical downsides to meta boxes, and developers are encouraged to migrate to alternatives.

In this session, we explored the current options available for adding custom plugin and theme settings in the Block Editor and how you can manage metadata using React and native WordPress components. You will learn how to:

– Use slots to add custom panels in the Settings Sidebar
– Implement a modal for additional settings
– Fetch and save post metadata using JavaScript
– Connect post metadata to blocks

Presentation Slides »

February 27, 2024 — This one-hour session focused on theme development will explore how to craft web layouts using WordPress blocks. This talk is perfect for those who want to learn about block composition–the skill of assembling various blocks to create unique and effective web designs. We’ll look at a range of non-block web layouts, including some submitted by the community, and demonstrate how to convert them into WordPress blocks.

In the second half of our session, we’ll discuss practical aspects such as when to introduce custom CSS, how to add unique block styles, and when to package your design as a pattern. This will give you a better understanding of how to customize layouts while maintaining a clean and functional design. Whether you’re new to WordPress or an experienced theme developer, this talk will provide you with valuable insights into creating modern and responsive websites using the power of blocks.

February 13, 2024 — This one-hour session explores how JavaScript is used in modern WordPress development. Whether you’re just beginning your WordPress journey, or if you’re already familiar with development and looking to stay updated with the latest techniques, this talk will equip you with the knowledge and practical tools to effectively build your own custom blocks and Editor extensions.

Links shared in the talk are available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14hfp9Pe2bEzRTQLcoYTcmuD5WshIs6BS40O_UeDkqvA/edit

January 16, 2024 — Welcome to the first Developer Hours session of 2024 where we explored the “Build your first block” tutorial from the Block Editor Handbook.

During the session, we worked through the tutorial together, answering any questions folks had along the way. Attendees learned the basics of building a custom block, including the key concepts of block development and an overview of the common tools and packages used.

December 19, 2023 — In the final installment of Developer Hours for 2023, we explored how the wp-scripts package has become an essential tool for modern WordPress development, such as when building blocks and block themes. If you are looking to streamline your development process, harness the power of build tools, and simplify tasks such as checking for compliance with WordPress coding standards, this session recording is for you.

November 29, 2023 — In this installment of Developer Hours, we explored how to extend core WordPress blocks and why this approach can be preferred over creating a custom block. Extension techniques also allow you to curate the editing experience within WordPress beyond simply adding new functionality.

The session began with a presentation on the fundamentals of block extension. Then, we covered practical examples of adding new features to existing blocks, utilizing hooks for advanced extensions, and modifying block behavior to suit your unique site requirements.

Presentation Slides »