WordPress 6.9: All the New Features Explained in Simple Terms
WordPress 6.9 brings many useful updates. The changes focus on editing, block features, and new tools for creators and developers. The update feels solid and helpful, especially if you like using the block editor.
Let’s go through everything in a simple way.
Block Notes
You can now leave notes on any block.
It works like a small commenting system inside the editor.
You select a block.
You open the options menu.
You click Add Note.
A small box appears. You type your message and save it.
The author of the post receives a notification.
Editors also see a panel that lists all notes. They can reply or mark notes as solved.
It is great for teamwork and quick feedback.
Accordion Block
WordPress 6.9 includes a new Accordion block.
It is helpful when you want to build an FAQ section or hide content inside a collapsible panel.
Each accordion item has a heading and a panel.
You can add any block inside the panel, including images or videos.
You can also:
- Add more accordion items
- Turn on auto-close so only one item stays open
- Show or hide the icon
- Change the icon position
One thing missing is native FAQ Schema support.
If you want schema markup, you can use a plugin created by Viny. It adds FAQ Schema to the Accordion block.
Stretchy Text and Stretchy Headings
There are two new block types: Stretchy Paragraph and Stretchy Heading.
They expand to fill the available width of the block area.
They look nice in hero sections or call-to-action areas.
You can add them directly or convert normal paragraphs and headings into stretchy versions.
Time to Read Block
WordPress 6.9 introduces a Time to Read block.
It shows an estimated reading time for your post.
You can show a range or a single number.
You can also switch it to a Word Count block with one click.
Right now, you cannot add text around the reading time inside the same block.
You can still place the block inside a group if you want more control.
Terms Query Block
The Terms Query block helps you display taxonomy items like categories or tags.
You can:
- Show a list of terms
- Show post counts
- Select specific terms
- Show empty terms
- Show nested terms
- Limit the number of terms
You can edit the layout inside the block’s template.
If you want to remove the post count, you can delete that part inside the structure.
Math Block
WordPress 6.9 adds a Math block.
It lets you write formulas that appear in a clean, formatted style.
You can place the Math block on its own.
You can also insert it inside a paragraph if you only need a short formula.
It is useful for education, science, and technical posts.
Hide Block Feature
You can now hide a block without deleting it.
You open the block options and choose Hide.
The block no longer appears on the front end.
At the moment, you also do not see it in the editor until you make it visible again.
This may change in the future, but it still helps when preparing future content.
Improved Drag and Drop
Dragging blocks feels better in 6.9.
In the past, you moved a faded copy of the block.
Now you move the actual block while dragging.
It feels smoother and clearer.
Command Palette Everywhere
The Command Palette now works in the Site Editor and in the WordPress Admin.
Press Cmd + K or Ctrl + K to jump to different areas or actions.
It speeds up navigation.
It is not available on the front end yet, but it still saves time inside the editor.
Developer Improvements
WordPress 6.9 comes with several updates for developers.
These updates help with automation, performance, and future AI tools.
Abilities API
This is a new registry of WordPress capabilities.
It gives plugins and themes a common way to describe what they can do.
It also helps AI tools understand actions inside the WordPress ecosystem.
Other Developer Enhancements
- Interactivity API improvements
- Data Views and Data Form components
- HTML API updates
- Block Binding updates
- Performance upgrades
These upgrades help developers create faster and more flexible features.
No New Default Theme
WordPress 6.9 does not include a new default theme.
The focus remains on improving the Site Editor.
Twenty Twenty-Five is still the active default theme.
Template Management Changes (Moved to 7.0)
A big feature was planned for 6.9 but moved to WordPress 7.0.
The update will allow multiple templates for the same template type.
You will be able to:
- Create several single post templates
- Activate or deactivate templates
- Keep templates even when switching themes
This will make template control more flexible.
It may also open the door for template assignment based on categories in the future.
Final Thoughts
WordPress 6.9 adds many useful tools.
The update improves editing, adds new blocks, and prepares the platform for future features.
Many creators will enjoy the new workflow improvements.
Developers get new APIs and faster performance.
The update feels like another step forward for the block editor.
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