The brand new Twenty Twenty-Two default theme coming in 5.9 hasn’t even been absolutely constructed but however many WordPress fanatics who noticed yesterday’s design reveal are already desperate to apply it to their websites. Contributors have simply 40 days earlier than the scheduled Beta 1 launch on November 16 to get the theme prepared. Whereas that looks as if an impossibly tight deadline, extra frequent default theme releases could also be forward on the horizon.
In a few quick paragraphs tucked into the tip of the announcement, Kjell Reigstad commented on the way forward for default theme launch frequency:
The group has produced a dozen best-in-class themes collectively, and we’ve come to stay up for a brand new one arriving on the shut of every 12 months. That stated, themes are in a transition interval right this moment, and it looks as if this can be an inexpensive time to step again and to re-evaluate the annual cadence with which we construct default themes.
Improvements like theme.json, block templates, and block patterns are making theme development far easier, and are offering new methods for customers to customise their websites. There’s purpose to consider that the group can leverage all this to construct extra frequent and numerous theme and customization options for our customers within the coming years.
It wasn’t clear whether or not Reigstad meant that the cadence of default theme releases could be slowing down or rushing up. I requested him for clarification and he confirmed that the thought is to contemplate the opportunity of rushing up.
“I hope these new instruments enable us to create and launch extra continuously than we’ve been in a position to prior to now,” Reigstad stated.
“The overall concept got here up as a part of the ideation course of for the default theme this 12 months, and that a part of the publish is supposed to present it a wider platform for dialog in the neighborhood. I’m excited to listen to what people suppose since this concept is in its very early days! I actually suppose there’s loads of alternative right here.”
The ideation course of he referenced, which varies from 12 months to 12 months, included early conversations with venture management to plan and ensure the theme is aligned with the way forward for WordPress.
Earlier than the dialogue formally kicks off concerning growing default theme launch frequency, contributors are centered on getting Twenty Twenty-Two out the door. Reigstad stated individuals can soar in on testing now, as the overall construction is already in place. This consists of fonts, colours, and primary templates, though particulars like spacing and particular block types are nonetheless in progress together with block patterns. If you wish to contribute to creating Twenty Twenty-Two the very best it may be, take a look at the development taking place on GitHub.