WordPress 6.8 RC1 Released for Testing, Official Version to Go Live on April 15

WordPress The official RC1 (Release Candidate) for version 6.8 has been released, marking the final testing phase of a major new update. The release includes a number of performance, security, and interface enhancements, and is now open to developers and testers for testing and feedback.

The first release candidate (RC1) of WordPress 6.8 is now available for download and testing.

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This version is still in the development phase and is not intended for use on official sites or critical project environments. It is recommended that it be installed and tried in a test environment only.

This RC1 release is an important point in the overall 6.8 release cycle, laying the groundwork for a stable final version. WordPress 6.8 will go live on April 15, 2025, according to the release schedule.

Testing methods include:

• mounting WordPress Beta Tester plugin and switch to the Beta/RC channel;
• Download RC1 installation packagePerform stand-alone deployments;
• utilization WP-CLI Execute the update command;
• exist WordPress Playground The browser-side direct experience is carried out in the

Release Highlights:

• Enable predictive resource loading mechanism to improve page responsiveness;
• Add bcrypt encryption algorithm to enhance account security;
• Provide more complete block design tools;
• Updated user interface components and dynamic interaction APIs;
• Optimize internationalization support to enhance multilingual processing capabilities.

Actively participate in testing and push for version improvement

Comprehensive testing of the upcoming WordPress 6.8 release will help ensure stable system performance and is one of the most important ways to contribute to the community. A complete testing guide is available for beginners and experienced developers, covering both feature experience and environment setup instructions. If you have any problems during the testing process, you can go to the support forum's Alpha/Beta Submit feedback in the area, or submit a reproducible technical report through the Trac system. It is also possible to check against a list of known issues to see if they are already documented.

Vulnerability return mechanism enhanced, security prioritized for advancement

Before WordPress 6.8 went live, theReward mechanism for security vulnerability reports has been temporarily upgraded. From now until April 15, 2025, any newly discovered and undisclosed security issues will be rewarded with double the money. Please follow the responsible disclosure process established by the project team, as outlined on the HackerOne page and in the official security whitepaper.

Posting of information supplements:

• Target release date for the official version: April 15, 2025
• Project Blog:make.wordpress.org/core
• Test Participation Channel: Slack #core-testGitHub, Trac Systems

About WordPress:

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