Thursday October 12, 2023
![WordPress 6.4 Overview: What to Expect](https://www.hostinger.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/Wordpress.jpg)
The wheels are moving to WordPress 6.4 – beta version is available for testing and full version is planned for release November 7. This update introduces significant improvements by integrating Gutenberg versions 16.2 to 16.7 into WordPress core.
In this article, we’ll highlight the most important changes in WordPress 6.4 and guide you on how to test it before the final release.
New features and improvements
Although WordPress 6.4 has merged fewer Gutenberg versions than previous major releases, it still has many improvements for the block editor.
New default theme
twenty twenty four strays from traditional blog-centric themes as it scales perfectly for businesses, agencies, and portfolios. The versatility of this theme is evident in its collection of designs, introducing categories such as portfolio, team, banner and testimonial.
![Pattern options in the Twenty Twenty-Four theme](https://www.hostinger.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/patterns.webp)
The default homepage now mirrors the company’s website landing page, featuring a description of the company, services offered, and a subscription CTA. We also like the abundance of placeholder text, making it easier for new users to get started with their content creation.
![Twenty Twenty-Four theme homepage template](https://www.hostinger.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/twenty-twenty-four.webp)
Overall, this theme offers more flexibility, making it a great starting point for new WordPress users.
Custom Pattern Categories
In WordPress 6.4, the template creation functionality of version 6.3 is enhanced with custom template categories. As a result, you can now carefully categorize your custom templates beyond the default “my template”.
Once you have created a WordPress template, whether it is synced or not, you will find the category field to save the custom template category. Users can also assign the template to multiple categories.
![The template creation interface featuring the categories field where users can enter custom categories.](https://www.hostinger.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/custom-pattern.webp)
List view
The list view has been redesigned for a better user experience.
Previously, users had difficulty finding the block they were looking for. To resolve this issue, container blocks such as group, stack, and row blocks can now be renamed.
You can do this directly in list view by clicking the ellipsis icon and selecting Rename. Once you group content into custom named container blocks, navigating to the desired section in list view becomes much simpler.
![The list view panel with renamed group and stack blocks](https://www.hostinger.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/block-rename.webp)
Additionally, gallery and image blocks now feature thumbnail previews. Although more subtle than the rename feature, it still makes list view easier to navigate, especially for image-heavy content.
Open in new tab Switch to link preview
When you add a hyperlink to text, you can configure it to open in a new tab. However, you will have to open the link editing interface and open the advanced settings, which is complicated for such a simple thing.
In WordPress 6.4, a Open in new tab The toggle option is available in the link preview, allowing you to quickly change settings.
![THE "Open in new tab" switch to link preview popup](https://www.hostinger.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/link-preview.webp)
Fixed toolbar for navigation, list and quote blocks
In WordPress 6.4, an improved toolbar for navigation, list, and quote blocks further improves your workflow.
These blocks have built-in child blocks by default. When working with internal content, the toolbar now remains attached to the parent block position. This way, the toolbar will not obstruct the content of these blocks.
![The list block with the toolbar stuck at the top](https://www.hostinger.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/list-block.webp)
Unfortunately, this feature is still limited to these three blocks, which means it won’t work on other nested blocks like columns, buttons, and group blocks.
Image block improvements
The image block in WordPress 6.4 includes an aspect ratio tool in its placeholder. Set your desired aspect ratio before uploading the image, and the placeholder will adjust, previewing how much space the image will take up.
![Image frame placeholder with aspect ratio set to 3:2](https://www.hostinger.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/image-aspect-ratio.webp)
Additionally, the image block introduces lightbox functionality. This allows users to enlarge images in an overlay instead of a new tab or page, improving the visual experience. To activate it, activate the Expand by clicking switch to the image block settings.
![THE "Expand by clicking" switch to the image block settings panel to enable the lightbox function](https://www.hostinger.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/lightbox.webp)
Background image support for container block
In WordPress 6.4, background image support for group, stack, and row blocks allows you to add a custom background image.
To do this, go to the styles tab on the block settings panel and you will find the Background section to download or choose an image from the media library.
As a result, you no longer need to create content with a background image using the cover block. Since container blocks offer more content layout options, this means more design possibilities for your website.
![An example of a group block with a custom background image](https://www.hostinger.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/group-background.webp)
Note that there is no way to adjust the opacity or reposition the image. Therefore, you need to make sure that the image has the right design before uploading it as your background.
Before WordPress 6.4, the native paging block reloaded the page when switching to another, resulting in a slower browsing experience. To improve this, the query loop paging will now change pages without reloading the entire page.
Another improvement to the block is customizable page navigation. Now you can set the number of pages, allowing your visitors to navigate faster.
More commands for the command palette
The Command Palette was a new addition in WordPress 6.3, and new commands have been added since then. In WordPress 6.4, the following new block-centric commands are available:
- Band
- Ungroup
- Duplicate
- Withdraw
- add before
- Add after
- Transform (will have all transform options for a given block)
Additionally, WordPress contributors have added a few more contextual commands that apply in different places in the editors:
- Open List View (in Site Editor)
- Exit the code editor
- Hide breadcrumbs
- Show breadcrumbs
- Enable pre-publication checklist
- Disable pre-publication checklist
- Preview in new tab
How to test WordPress 6.4
WordPress 6.4 is scheduled to be released on November 7, 2023, but you can test the beta before that to try out the new features or check compatibility with your website. Best practice is to set up a test environment or test site to do this securely.
![](https://www.hostinger.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/WordPress-hosting_in-text-banner-1.webp)
Once you are ready, install the WordPress Plugin Beta Testerchoose the Bleeding edge channel and the Beta/RC only stream from the plugin settings panel. You can then update the test site to WordPress development version 6.4. Good luck!