5 Things We Know About The Gutenberg Editor So Far

For those in the process of building a WordPress website or those well entrenched in using WordPress for years, word of the Gutenberg Editor on the horizon can fill you with hope or dread.

As we wrote about in our recent blog post, “How Gutenberg WordPress Editor Will Change The Face Of The Internet,” this is a significant development for sites across the globe. Millions of websites depend on WordPress to tout their services and support their eCommerce initiatives, so a substantial change, such as the release of the Gutenberg Editor with WordPress 5.0, can seem daunting.

Well, let us put some of the rumors to rest, and put in plain language what we do and do not know about Gutenberg in 2018.

Get in touch with the team at Cohlab Digital Marketing to learn more about Gutenberg, WordPress and website development.

1. Goodbye, Shortcodes & Meta – Hello, Blocks

Blogger by: Pixabay

Man using Gutenberg editor on his laptop.

As we mentioned in our previous blog post, “3 Ways The Gutenberg Project Changes WordPress For Designers”, Blocks are the new thing, fundamental to Gutenberg’s operation. For the most part, blocks are replacing all of the meta information and shortcodes you used to use. Also, Blocks pulls all of the functionality which used to be spread throughout the WordPress interface into one location.

Simply choose a block type, and off you go. Standard Block types which come with Gutenberg include the following, though developers can make their own Block types available for purchase or free download:

Content Blocks

  • Paragraph
  • Image
  • Quotes
  • Galleries
  • Cover Images
  • Headings
  • Lists
  • Audio
  • Files
  • Subheadings
  • Video

Formatting Blocks

  • Tables
  • Custom HTML
  • Code
  • Classic
  • Preformatted
  • Pull Quote
  • Verse

Layout Blocks

  • Button
  • Columns
  • Read More
  • Page Break
  • Separator
  • Spacer

2. Farewell, Classic WordPress Editor

Right now, the Gutenberg Editor is only available as a WordPress plugin. But soon enough, Gutenberg will be the law of the land. That means the Classic Editor we’ve all come to know and love will be no more.

However, if you’re genuinely dissatisfied with the Gutenberg Editor, you can retain the Classic Editor by installing it as a plugin on WordPress 5.0.

3. Custom Blocks Can Be Downloaded Like Plugins

In the first section, we discussed how Blocks work, and what is available with the Gutenberg Editor at launch. Well, you may know that WordPress has always been open to outside developers, which is why it has such a wide array of themes and plugins.

With Blocks, there are already developers out there working on their own custom Block sets to put up for download. This means on day one you’ll be able to customize how your Blocks look from a variety of different publishers, and they may even have additional functionality that the WordPress team hasn’t created.

You’ll be able to download either single Block designs or entire Block collections from these developers. WordPress is gathering all of the individual Block designs online for your perusal at the Gutenberg Block Library.

You’ll also be able to develop your own Blocks using HTML5 if you have the skills.

4. Compatibility May Be An Issue

Whenever updates happen, there are always issues with compatibility. With the Gutenberg Editor and the significant change it represents, there are going to be some things which may not work on your website after updating.

Currently, meta boxes are only partially supported. Gutenberg developers are working to increase support for meta boxes, but it may take time.

The plugins and themes you’ve come to know and love, especially those which integrate with the TinyMCE editor.

5. Gutenberg may be here as soon as November

On Oct. 3, 2018, at the WordPress 5.0 Kickoff Meeting, the team laid out an aggressive schedule to get the Gutenberg Editor out with the latest core update of WordPress. This included a Beta date of Oct. 19, having a Release Candidate ready by Oct. 30, with a potential release of Nov. 19.

The team noted these dates may slip by up to eight days to account for additional time needed. If the dates slip by more than eight days, then release could be delayed until Jan. 22, 2019, after the Christmas shopping season has died down.

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about Gutenberg! Remember to get in touch with Cohlab Digital Marketing to learn more about the Gutenberg Editor and website development.