I recently built a new WordPress block to add a toggle between light and dark modes on your website, like I have on my blog.
Download on WordPress.org / View the code on Github
Posts
Insights, thoughts, and tips on product, design, and development. Pick a topic and start exploring.
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WordPress & Iteration
Iteration is all about relentless improvement; not merely fixing what’s broken. It involves striking the right balance between innovation and problem-solving, one that fosters sustainable forward-moving progress.
Is software anything but constant iteration?
The fundamental objective of iteration is not deciding whether to iterate, but rather prioritizing the most impactful ideas—whether new features, enhancements, or bug fixes. The challenge lies in prioritizing the big wins and minimizing those distractions that divert focus from those wins.
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Wait…did WordPress development get good?!
A friend recently shared with me this post on Reddit, a reminder that there is often more to the latest WordPress narrative making the rounds:
I opened up the 2024 theme …and the blocks editor kinda blew me away. I’d completely missed all that I guess. Gutenberg was a beta plugin when I quit.
So today I decided to learn how to make the current theme (based on an old underscores setup) ‘blocks ready’. And after 2 hours I was done. The templating syntax is great, and the theme.json stuff is super easy to get to grips with. Also the usability of the blocks editor is miles ahead of Visual Builder or Element or…both of which I detest!
So yeah, I’m actually liking what WordPress is doing. I’m impressed. Whoever came up with the way it’s done deserves a pat on the back. It’s really nice.
To each their own, but I find this validating.
Among vocal criticisms and praises that often echo louder in those spaces we’re most comfortable in—whether social media, forums, code repos, or even blogs—it’s crucial to acknowledge the diversity of experiences and perspectives.
While some face genuine frustrations, others find delightful utility; both experiences are equally valuable to the continued evolution of WordPress. And I’m here for it.
Is there still work to do? Yes, lots.
Want to help? Jump in.
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Shaping WordPress: Section Styles and Interoperable Theme Styles
Hi all. This is my first issue of Shaping WordPress, where I share every two weeks on what’s top of my mind and what’s shaping up for WordPress.
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Automattic Design Meetup, 2024
Once a year, the Automattic design team gathers in person to connect face-to-face, learn, and try new things. This year designers gathered in Lake Como, Italy, from more than 20 different countries.
I had the pleasure of running a Patterns Atelier with Beatriz Fialho, sharing knowledge on designing beautiful WordPress patterns. A solid trip all around.
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WordPress 6.5
In many ways, WordPress 6.5 lays the foundational components of the next big wave of innovation in WordPress. Here’s my take on the most interesting parts of this release.
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WordCamp Asia, 2024
Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to immerse myself in the vibrant atmosphere of Taipei for WordCamp Asia 2024, a melting pot of engaging community, delightful dumplings, and enlightening speakers. WordCamp Asia is not just a conference; it’s a celebration of the WordPress community’s diversity, resilience, and creativity—and I’m here for it.
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Composing with patterns
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of WordPress patterns.
The ability to design a part of a site with a bunch of blocks and have it persist—whether synced or not—across my site, or shared across most others, is quite a powerful idea.
While they’re great, I feel there’s more potential to unlock with patterns, especially if we consider them as sections to compose pages with, not just groups of blocks.
Think of a site’s hierarchy: A site is made up of pages, which are composed of patterns, which consist of blocks—essentially, data objects. If patterns and blocks represent differing levels of hierarchy, why are they currently treated the same in the WordPress editing experience?
So let’s explore.
One idea is to treat patterns as a higher-order experience, where invoking a site’s pattern library zooms out the canvas to provide a bird’s-eye view, enabling you to compose with patterns, like this:
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WordPress Theme Composition and Interoperability
I’ve shared quite a bit about the composition of WordPress themes and how they’ve evolved over the years. But one notion that has captured my attention lately is just how composable themes have become lately.
WordPress themes used to be so static; stuck in the time when it was first launched. Sure, you’ll get a few maintenance updates, but that’s really it.
Today’s themes—or rather, today’s block themes—inherit the newest additions to WordPress out-of-the-box, as blocks carry much of the “weight” themes were once required to do. And historically, many theme designers—including myself—relied on a framework that covered the basics of their theming approach; but now, WordPress is that framework.
Consequently, you can mix and match blocks from any page or template, and between any theme. It’s pretty cool, but there’s so much more to this.
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A new block: Cards
I recently built a fun new WordPress block to add collection of “cards” to my blog, as seen on my home page.
This block is technically two blocks: a “Cards” block and a singular “Card” block, which is repeated—reminiscent of the WordPress Buttons block. Even now, I find it incredibly helpful to look at the source code for official WordPress blocks, which has all the tried-and-true methods for just about any type of block you’re looking to build next. Don’t reinvent, iterate.
The block is dynamic, which means the block content is not stored statically in the post content, but rather rendered server-side. I could’ve done it static as well, but dynamic blocks are simple and fun to build—especially using the render file, which I don’t think many folks know about yet.
Now there is some opinionated styling—color variables in particular may not map to your theme—but you can change colors with the typical block style controls.
You can download the block from Github. I’ll consider uploading it to the official Block Directory after I tidy it up a bit.
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Let’s build more blocks
I like this idea shared by Matias Ventura, centered on making it easier to introduce standalone blocks to WordPress via the Block Directory. Leveraging the existing Gutenberg infrastructure and contributor base, allows for significantly more collaboration, which would lead to a more diverse collection of high-quality, endorsed blocks for everyone.
Scrolling text, link cards, icons, dark mode toggles—the list goes on of interesting blocks that would be great if served at the quality threshold of core blocks.
The blocks in WordPress core are best-in-class. I’m looking forward to discovering others in the Block Directory that share the same DNA as these.
What do you think?
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Vision Pro first impression
I am sitting here writing this post, looking across Trillium Lake at the majestic Mount Hood off in the distance. But I’m not. Instead, I feel the soft arms of my office chair at my sides, a far cry from the rustic charm of a folding camping chair.
I’m immersed in one of the new VisionOS environments, an illusion replacing the world around me with digital renditions of iconic landscapes, the moon included. The realism is uncanny, particularly under the cool glow of the night sky, dotted with uncountable stars—but yet I can’t decide if I’m underwhelmed.
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Your corner of the internet
A blog is more than just a collection of posts. It’s about the power of written words, an ongoing conversation that shapes how we see things, opens our minds, and helps us connect with others.
Each post adds to the rich mix of human stories. Whether you’re sharing experiences, teaching something new, or just capturing everyday thoughts, a blog gives you an independent space to express yourself.
Blogging offers an escape from the algorithm-driven world (a place where you can simply write). It reminds us of when sharing thoughts wasn’t about chasing likes or trends, but about real digital connection.
Your blog belongs to you. It reflects who you are.
It’s your corner of the internet.
Make it yours, and let it show your personality in this huge digital world.
Thanks, WordPress.
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2023 Year in Review
Well, we made it. Welcome to 2024.
Last year was one of those years that will hold an impact far beyond from what I realize today. 2023 was a year of change, connection, exploration, and meaningfulness.
