WordPress 6.3 RC3 is now out and is available on the WordPress VIP platform for testing with non-production sites.
Testing this release candidate is the next step in preparing your site for the WordPress 6.3 release slated for August 8, 2023. WordPress 6.3 makes further improvements for your content creators with improved full site editing and improvements to the Gutenberg editor. There are also numerous performance enhancements.
The WordPress 6.3 Field Guide provides extensive information regarding new features and enhancements. This information should be utilized when testing the new version.
WordPress VIP especially emphasizes that changes to caching in WordPress 6.3 should be tested and any code customizations related to caching reviewed to avoid unexpected behavior.
How to test WordPress 6.3
Local Environment
Ensure VIP-CLI is updated:npm update -g @automattic/vip
Update environment:vip dev-env update --slug SITENAME
Non-production
Alternatively, you may update a non-production site to WordPress 6.3 RC3 now.
Within the Software Management section of the VIP Dashboard, you can select your non-production environment and change the WordPress version to “6.3″ within the “testing” section.
Testing is vital to polishing the release during the Release Candidate and a great way to contribute. ✨
Not for Production Environments
WordPress VIP does not recommend using Release Candidate or Beta versions in production environments. Any sites that have managed updates will automatically be updated to WordPress 6.3 when it is released according to our schedule.
Questions?
If you have testing feedback or questions related to this release, please open a support ticket, and we will be happy to assist.