After a year of legal drama, stalled releases and speculation, WordPress 7.0 features update is finally on the horizon. Scheduled to debut in the spring of 2026, the release marks the beginning of the third phase of the Gutenberg project, shifting the world’s most popular CMS from a solo editor to a collaborative platform. WordPress 7.0 doesn’t just add features; it lays the foundation for the next decade of open‑source website building. This article explores the release schedule, key features and why this update matters to site owners, developers and content teams.
Release schedule and the road to 7.0
The WordPress community had expected three major releases in 2025, but legal challenges and a pause in contributions from major stakeholder Automattic slowed development. Project leaders chose stability over speed, shipping WordPress 6.9 as a “stabilizer” to clear technical debt. As a result, WordPress 7.0 arrives with a polished foundation and a “quality over quantity” ethos. The release squad is targeting April 9 2026, coinciding with WordCamp Asia. The beta period begins around February 19 2026, giving site owners several weeks to test their stacks.
The slowdown also prompted discussions about changing WordPress’s release cadence. Some sources report that the platform may shift to a single major release per year, moving away from the traditional three‑release cycle. Regardless of cadence, WordPress 7.0 represents the launch point for a more coordinated, feature‑rich era.
Key features and improvements
WordPress 7.0 focuses on workflows—tools that help teams collaborate directly within the CMS. Here’s what’s coming:
1. Notes and asynchronous collaboration
A robust commenting system, initially introduced in version 6.9, has been expanded into a full communication suite. Users can leave notes on specific blocks or text fragments and tag teammates with “@” mentions. Notifications appear via email or in the dashboard, eliminating the need to send screenshots through Slack or email. Conversations happen where the content lives, making feedback loops more efficient. For agencies and content teams, integrated comments will streamline approvals and revisions.
2. Real‑time co‑editing
Phase 3’s “holy grail” is real‑time collaboration. The editor already supports concurrent cursors, but WordPress 7.0 will introduce experimental co‑editing where multiple users can edit the same post simultaneously. Because persistent connections are needed to sync edits, the feature may be limited initially to hosts that support WebSockets and modern infrastructure. This capability positions WordPress to rival tools like Google Docs for content collaboration.
3. Modern admin redesign (DataViews)
The WordPress dashboard has looked largely the same for a decade. Version 7.0 introduces DataViews, a flexible system for displaying lists of posts, pages and other content types. Instead of reloading pages, users can filter, group and sort items within an app‑like interface. This modern design is faster, more fluid and less likely to break plugins because it layers on top of existing admin structures.
4. AI infrastructure via the Abilities API
WordPress 7.0 isn’t turning into an AI writer, but it lays the groundwork for smart tools. A new Abilities API and AI Client provide a standard way for AI services to understand a site’s capabilities. Rather than hard‑coding a connection to one model, plugin developers can build AI features—like generating alt text or suggesting SEO improvements—that work consistently across the ecosystem. This design ensures privacy, security and future‑proofing for AI integrations.
5. Technical changes: PHP 7.4+ and editor isolation
To support modern libraries for collaboration and AI, WordPress 7.0 will raise the minimum PHP version to 7.4. Site owners still on PHP 7.2 or 7.3 must upgrade to run the latest core updates. The release also moves toward full iframing of the editor canvas, isolating the editor so site styles and third‑party scripts can’t leak into or break the editing environment. This change improves the “what you see is what you get” experience and reduces conflicts with plugins.
6. No new default theme and other expected features
Breaking with tradition, WordPress 7.0 will not ship a new “Twenty Twenty‑Six” theme. Instead, the project is enhancing existing block themes like Twenty Twenty‑Five. Developers can evolve current themes rather than start fresh. Beyond confirmed features, industry commentary suggests the release may include advanced AI integration, expanded multilingual support, enhanced e‑commerce tools and continued Gutenberg evolution. As always, the roadmap is flexible, and some features may slip to later releases.
Why WordPress 7.0 matters
The upcoming release isn’t just another version bump—it signals the maturity of an open‑source project that powers over 40 % of the web. Collaboration tools like notes and real‑time editing eliminate external feedback platforms, keeping teams in one interface. The DataViews redesign modernizes the dashboard and reduces page loads. Raising the minimum PHP version improves security and performance, while the Abilities API opens the door to responsible AI integration. Together, these changes allow WordPress to compete with proprietary site builders while maintaining the freedoms of open source.
Preparing your site for the update
To ensure a smooth transition, consider the following checklist drawn from the WordPress release schedule:
Upgrade your PHP version. Make sure your server runs at least PHP 7.4, though PHP 8.2 or 8.3 is recommended for performance.
Audit admin plugins. Plugins that modify the post or page list may break under DataViews.
Experiment with Phase 3 features. Try the new Notes interface on a staging site to get your team comfortable.
Monitor the Field Guide. Read the developer notes when the official Field Guide publishes on March 19 to see what functions will be deprecated.
Set up a staging environment and back up your site. Always test major updates on a clone before deploying to production.
Embrace the block editor. If you’re still using the classic editor, WordPress 7.0 may be the release that finally necessitates the switch—block patterns and site editing are central to future development.
Conclusion
WordPress 7.0 has been a long time coming. Delayed by legal disputes and contributor pauses, the release matured in the background. When it launches in April 2026, WordPress will transform from a solo editing tool into a collaborative, AI‑ready platform with a modern admin experience. For site owners, developers and agencies, the update offers new workflows and demands careful preparation. Follow the checklist above, keep an eye on the Field Guide, and embrace the collaborative future of WordPress. If you need help updating your site or understanding how these features affect your business, the team at Datronix Tech is here to assist.
