September in WordPress  ## Metadata - Author: [[binatethoughts.com]] - Full Title: September in WordPress - Category: #articles - Document Note: --- tags: [WordPress, Open Source, Community] author: [MISSING] source: binatethoughts.com reference: [https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/] date created: 2025-10-06 00:00 --- # 🏷️ Title: September in WordPress ## 🧭 Table of Contents - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#️-notes) - [📚 References](#-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#️-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - [🛡️ DARVO Analysis](#-darvo-analysis) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) ### 🔗 References - Include links cited in or relevant to the article. ## 📝 Summary - The author reports September contributions and plans. - A new Core Program team launches with the author as first team rep. - Sponsors fund time on Core Program, Core AI, Core Editor, and triage. - Focus areas include AI experiments, 6.9 design triage, and program setup. - Bottom line: structure, sponsorship, and priorities align for 6.9 and Core AI. ## 📖 Main Content - The post merges August reflections due to WordCamp US travel. - The Core Program team is announced; weekly goals are planned in Slack. - BigScoots funds Core Program time; Greyd funds Core AI and Core Editor. - ServMask continues Core AI sponsorship; Kinsta supports triage. - Work spans design needs for AI experiments and 6.9 issue triage. - Talks include LoopConf attendance and a WPLDN AI presentation. - October priorities cover 6.9, Core AI experiments, docs, and handbooks. - Uncertainties: details of Core Program scope and AI roadmap timelines. ### 🗒️ Notes ### [H1] Core Program team launches with new rep > [!quote] [September in WordPress](https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/) by an unnamed author via [[binatethoughts.com]]. Published 2025-10-06. Accessed 2025-10-06. > “The Core Program team was announced and I will be the first team rep.” Sets direction and accountability for cross-team coordination. [view highlight](https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/) #xref #articleseed ID:rw_371963385-1-393997471 ### [H2] Sponsors align work on Core areas > [!quote] [September in WordPress](https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/) > “BigScoots (Core Program), Greyd (Core AI / Core Editor), Kinsta (Triage), ServMask (Core AI)…” Clarifies funded focus and expected outcomes. [view highlight](https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/) #xref ID:rw_371963385-6-393997471 ### [H3] Focus includes AI experiments and design > [!quote] [September in WordPress](https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/) > “‘Needs design’: adding design to Core AI experiments.” Links design practice to AI roadmap execution. [view highlight](https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/) #xref #articleseed ID:rw_371963385-3-393997471 ### [H4] 6.9 triage and unblock efforts continue > [!quote] [September in WordPress](https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/) > “Triage: focused on 6.9 design issues, unblocking and also giving feedback.” Supports release health and contributor momentum. [view highlight](https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/) #xref ID:rw_371963385-3-393997471 ### [H5] Weekly Core Program goals in Slack > [!quote] [September in WordPress](https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/) > “goals will be posted weekly on #core-program in Slack.” Improves transparency and cadence. [view highlight](https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/) #share #addendum ID:rw_371963385-5-393997471 ### [H6] October plan emphasizes Core AI and docs > [!quote] [September in WordPress](https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/) > “Core AI: feedback and iterations… work on the documentation and handbook if time.” Highlights documentation as a multiplier for onboarding. [view highlight](https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/) #articleseed ID:rw_371963385-5-393997471 ### [H7] Talks share AI insights with community > [!quote] [September in WordPress](https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/) > “Spoke at WPLDN about ‘When the Interface doesn’t matter anymore‘.” Spreads learning and gathers feedback loops. [view highlight](https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/) #share ID:rw_371963385-4-393997471 ## 📚 References - WordPress Core Make Blog (https://make.wordpress.org/core/) - WordPress Slack, #core-program (https://make.wordpress.org/chat/) - WordPress 6.9 Roadmap overview (https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/6-9/) // If 6.9 tag is not live, availability may be limited. ## 🗣️ Paraphrase - The author formalizes responsibilities and secures aligned funding. - The work targets Core AI, Core Editor, 6.9 triage, and program cadence. ## 📰 Newsletter - September brought a new Core Program team and weekly goal cadence. - Sponsors now fund time across Core AI, Core Editor, and triage. - Expect focus on 6.9 design issues and AI experiment design. - Talks at LoopConf and WPLDN shared AI insights with builders. - Follow #core-program for weekly goals and participation links. ## ✅ Action Items #### DevRel - Publish a recap on AI experiment design outcomes — context/September post. - Host office hours on 6.9 triage paths — context/6.9 focus. - Create quickstarts for Core AI experiments — context/needs design. #### OSPO - Draft contribution policy for sponsored roles — context/sponsor alignment. - Define reporting for funded hours and outcomes — context/transparency. - Establish review cadence for AI-related governance — context/Core AI. #### Community - Run “first issue” rotations for 6.9 design — context/triage. - Share weekly #core-program goals broadly — context/Slack plan. - Launch mentorship pairing for AI experiments — context/experiments. #### WordPress - Core: prioritize unblockers for 6.9 UX — context/triage notes. - Core Performance: track experiment impact metrics — context/AI experiments. - Core AI: publish roadmap and evaluation sets — context/roadmaps. - Core Program Team: post weekly goals and retros — context/Slack goals. - Training: add lessons for Core AI workflows — context/docs/handbook. - Documentation: create AI experiments handbook section — context/docs need. #### The WPCC - Pilot microgrants for triage unblockers — context/6.9. - Fund documentation sprints for AI — context/handbook gap. - Publish transparent sponsor impact reports — context/alignment. ### FAIR - Define provenance and signature checks for AI outputs — context/AI experiments. - Publish funding covenants for sponsor independence — context/transparency. - Ship operator agreements for project collaborations — context/program work. ## 🧪 Hypotheses - Weekly Core Program goals increase contributor retention by 15%. - Sponsored roles increase 6.9 triage throughput by 20%. - Design-first AI experiments reduce rework by 25%. - Public docs increase Core AI onboarding by 30%. ### 📊 Methodology - Compare contributor retention pre/post cadence; analyze Slack activity. - Measure triage close rates and time-to-unblock vs prior month. - Track experiment iteration counts and defect rates. - Monitor doc page views and first-time PRs to Core AI. ### ❓ Questions - What are Core Program decision rights and scope? - Which AI experiments ship for 6.9? - How will sponsor outcomes be reported? ### 🔮 Future Research - Study governance patterns for program teams. - Evaluate AI experiment UX patterns in block editor. - Assess sponsor models that fund unowned work. ### 💡 Implications - Clear cadence can stabilize cross-team delivery. - Sponsorships can align capacity with roadmap needs. - Documentation materially improves contributor onboarding. ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment - Reading level estimate: Flesch-Kincaid Grade ~8–9. #### 👀 Visual learners - Present: lists and sections. - Improve: diagrams of Core Program and AI flows. #### - Summary: It’s worth noting I am aware that August didn’t have a month post, this was due to travelling back from being at WordCamp US. - URL: https://binatethoughts.com/september-in-wordpress/ Another month has turned just like the leaves as autumn settles in. I was lucky enough to get time to focus thanks to sponsors, here is what I did within WordPress. #### August reflections It’s worth noting I am aware that August didn’t have a month post, this was due to travelling back from being at WordCamp US. This post is a merged month in many sense as the theme has maintained the same as September saw solidifying of what I was doing. #### A new team The Core Program team was [announced](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2025/09/15/announcing-the-core-program-team/) and I will be the first team rep. This was a huge part of this month as required setting up and focus. I am beyond excited what this means. I am thrilled to say [BigScoots](https://www.bigscoots.com/) is sponsoring me to cover some time focusing on the Core Program team and thankful for the opportunity to go to sponsors and highlight where I am needed most. #### Focusing on AI and editor Relating to the last section a little, [Greyd](https://greyd.io/) are now going to be sponsoring me to focus both on Core AI and also on Core Editor. This combination allows me to focus even more my contributions where they can be effective. This split focus will add to [ServMask’s](https://servmask.com/) sponsorship of me within Core AI already to give me extra time within that area. #### Areas of contribution My split this month was given a new focus thanks to being a team rep for a new [team announced](https://make.wordpress.org/program/2025/09/12/welcome-to-the-core-program-team/), Core Program. Beyond that, top areas were: * **‘Needs design’**: adding design to Core AI experiments. * **Triage:** focused on 6.9 design issues, unblocking and also giving feedback. * **Program team work**: establishing team and getting goals brewing. Weekly posts [here](https://make.wordpress.org/program/tag/this-week/). * **Core AI:** focusing on roadmaps. #### Sharing the journey I got to share a few things this month, I also got to attend LoopConf and speak about AI at the local WP London meetup the night before: * [The sparkle paradox](https://binatethoughts.com/the-sparkle-paradox-how-ai-signalling-undermines-adoption/): specifically fuelled the designs I worked on for Experiments. * Spoke at WPLDN about ‘[When the Interface doesn’t matter anymore](https://www.wpldn.uk/talk/when-the-interface-doesnt-matter-anymore/)‘. #### Upcoming plans for contribution October is already shaping up to be busy with Core Program and the 6.9 release. * **Triage:** focus on 6.9, but I don’t want to ignore the [ancient and inactive](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/tickets/ancient) trac log. This month triage won’t be my main focus but more about unblocking * **Core AI:** feedback and iterations for experiments and program work on abilities. I would also love to work on the [documentation](https://github.com/WordPress/ai/discussions/23) and handbook if time. + I had some awesome fun working on the issues for experiments. [#](https://github.com/WordPress/ai/issues/13#issuecomment-3352028955) [#](https://github.com/WordPress/ai/issues/12#issuecomment-3353681251) [#](https://github.com/WordPress/ai/issues/11#issuecomment-3352146880) [#](https://github.com/WordPress/ai/issues/10#issuecomment-3352689787) * **Core Program:** shape goals collaboratively, goals will be posted weekly on #core-program in Slack. #### Sponsors this month I now have these sponsors and from this month I am highlighting the areas they are helping me focus on if sponsoring a particular focus. [BigScoots](https://www.bigscoots.com) (Core Program), [Greyd](https://greyd.io) (Core AI / Core Editor), [Kinsta](https://kinsta.com) (Triage), [ServMask](https://servmask.com) (Core AI), [Aaron Jorbin](https://github.com/aaronjorbin), [Tim Nash](https://github.com/timnashcouk), [Jeffrey Paul](https://github.com/jeffpaul) and [Scot Rumery](https://github.com/scotrumery) ([Rumspeed](https://rumspeed.com/about/)). To everyone who sponsored me and helped me secure sponsorship, thank you. Want to sponsor me? You can through [GitHub](https://github.com/sponsors/karmatosed)., September in WordPress, binatethoughts.com, 01k6ww5kqjene8116k06eqsqvk.