I am back from attending WordCamp Europe 2026, and WP Weekly is also back with a loaded issue. The preparation for WordPress 7.1 has started, and there will be a temporary 24-hour delay on plugin and theme auto-updates. Also, this issue is packed with many product updates, new plugins, and studies to understand AI Bot traffic and website malware landscape.
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What’s Buzzing in WordPress 💖
- New Pressship Project… Automattic has launched the Pressship project for plugin publishing from the command line. This open source project validates, packages, submits, releases, inspects, and demos WordPress .org plugins – with review, SVN, and local setup steps kept explicit while the chores stay quiet.
- CortexWP AI… check the new AI SaaS tool for WordPress users, called CortexWP AI. With this, users can connect their WordPress sites and chat about the issue to debug, and CortexWP debugs the plugin’s codebase, the site’s codebase, and the server stack. To deploy a fix, it asks for permissions before making any changes.
- GTmetrix + MCP… the team at GTmetrix has released an MCP server that connects GTmetrix data directly into AI tools like Claude, Codex, and Cursor. Instead of manually diagnosing issues in one tool and writing code/optimizations in another, users can now start tests, analyze bottlenecks, and generate code fixes entirely within their AI chat interface.
- xCloud Pulse + Mac App… Mac users who run websites and servers on xCloud can now keep an eye on everything they manage without ever opening the browser. A Free macOS Menu Bar App allows you to check on Site health, SSL, and backups, Vulnerabilities, Server status, and more. See video walkthrough (YouTube) by David McCan.
New Plugins: Content Lifecycle, Release Posts, & Rank Bix
Content Lifecycle Manager… the team at WPVibes has released a new Content Lifecycle Manager plugin. It adds ownership, review scheduling, and lifecycle statuses to every post and page. The overview screen shows content health at a glance, indicating how many posts are healthy and how many need attention.
Auto Release Posts for GitHub… Jake Goldman shared (LinkedIn) about releasing free Auto Release Posts for GitHub plugin in the repository. It monitors GitHub repositories for new releases, and uses AI to research each release and generate a human-readable blog post about it.
Rank Bix SEO… Sumit Singh has released a free Rank Bix SEO plugin in the repository. It promises to be a lightweight plugin for rankings, with such as Meta Title & Description management, XML Sitemaps, Schema/JSON-LD support, Open Graph integration, Image SEO, Breadcrumbs, Redirections, and more
More Plugins: Zyre Addons, AI Alt Text, Database Cleaner
Zyre Addons for Elementor… Abdur Razzak shared a newly launched plugin for Elementor called Zyre Addons, also available on the repository for free. It features 60+ Elementor widgets, 200+ styles, blocks, and page sections, pre-built ready-to-use layouts, flexible drag-and-drop customization, responsive and accessibility-focused workflow.
ShortPixel AI Alt Text Generator… the team at ShortPixel has released ShortPixel AI Alt Text Generator plugin (free repo link). If your ALT text is missing, generic, or empty, the plugin helps fill in the gaps with accurate, descriptive SEO data, whether you are optimizing new uploads or your entire existing Media Library.
CodingBunny Database Cleaner… Matteo De Maria shared a newly released free CodingBunny Database Cleaner plugin in the repository. It promises to be a straightforward and powerful plugin that helps you analyze, filter, and safely remove unnecessary data from your database.
SEO Things: SEOPress, CrawlWP, & SureRank
SEOPress + AI agents… 10.0v added support for the new WordPress Abilities API, with the free version enabling an agent to read and update: SEO title, meta description, and indexing rules. The Pro version allows you to create and manage redirects, edit schema, set target keywords, generate AI-optimized titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text.
CrawlWP + SEO Stats… CrawlWP now includes the SEO Stats dashboard, providing detailed insights into your website’s performance. This dashboard offers actionable data and helps you understand how users from search engines interact with your content.
SureRank + AI Schema… 1.7.5v and Premium 1.7.2v have introduced the AI Schema Recommendations feature. You can get AI-powered schema suggestions without leaving the Schema tab, see Google’s indexing status directly inside the SEO meta box, and manage all your platform integrations from one dedicated page.
AI Things: Jaadu AI Agent, AI Shopping Agent, & Stream
FlowMattic + Jaadu AI Agent… the team at FlowMattic shared a video teaser (YouTube) of the upcoming 7.0v, introducing a new AI agent named Jaadu. Also, from-scratch Image Template Builder, multi-page PDF Templates, conversion-optimized Forms, Calendly-style Bookings, and a completely revamped admin experience. Keep an eye on the change log for this anticipated release.
Easycommerce + AI Shopping Agent… users of Easycommerce powered stores can now leverage the new AI Shopping Agent feature. This conversational AI on your storefront searches products, creates orders, and generates payment links, completing full purchases through chat.
Stream + Abilities API… 4.2v of Stream comes with Abilities API support. Now the same data is also exposed as a set of WordPress Abilities, and any MCP-aware client can read and act on it: Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, ChatGPT, anything that speaks the Model Context Protocol.
Extended WordPress Buzz 🔥
- Support Eric Binnion… long-time Automattic engineer Eric Binnion is facing stage 4 esophageal cancer. Anne McCarthy has organized a GoFundMe campaign for Binnion & his family. Support Eric, “If you’ve used WordPress, WordPress .com, Jetpack, WooCommerce, you’ve benefited from his work whether you realize it or not”.
- Top Plugin Authors… the WP Beacon website has an interesting listing of the top plugin authors with over 35,789 authors listed. Top ten are: Syed Balkhi, Automattic, Yoast, Elementor, and WordPress .org, Rock Lobster Inc., LiteSpeed Technologies, Brainstorm Force, Team Updraft, and Google.
- Plugins Breach Widens… Rae Morey has published a comprehensive piece on how Awesome Motive breach has expanded with Uncanny Automator confirming customers’ data theft and MonsterInsights users facing a phishing campaign.
- Jetpack + Reader Chat… the new reader chat feature adds a small chat experience to your website, which enables visitors on your website to ask questions and get answers based on your website content. This feature is available in Preview on eligible public sites with Jetpack Search.
- WordCamp Rajasthan… one of the prominent upcoming WordCamps in India is happening in Rajasthan on October 3 and 4, 2026. The call for sponsors for packages from $250 to $1100 is now open. Also, the call for speakers is open for applications.
- WordCamp + Events… At WordCamp Asia 2026, WordCamp India was announced as the fourth flagship event. Now, applications are open for the host city of the first ever edition of WordCamp India 2027 event, until end of June 2026. The call for speakers is open for the WP Suomi event until August 10, 2026.
Delayed Plugin Updates & Core WP Buzz
24 Hr Delay in Auto Updates…WordPress .org is adding a temporary 24-hour delay before plugin and theme updates are distributed through auto-updates. The pause creates a window for security review, including the use of AI-assisted tools that can operate continuously.
- WordPress 7.1 release squad announced, Anne McCarthy as lead.
- Roadmap to WP 7.1 with AI, Admin, APIs, Blocks, & more in focus.
- WP 7.0.1 release schedule is here, general release on July 9, 2026.
- Gutenberg 23.4v React 19 plans have been reverted back for now.
- Digging: How effective are our advertising efforts for WordCamps.
New Updates: FluentCart, Builderius, & SureCart
FluentCart + EU Compliance… from June 19, 2026, a new rule takes effect across Germany and the EU – every B2C store selling online must offer a clearly visible withdrawal function, a “Withdraw from contract here” button that any customer can reach without logging in. The new customer rights feature addresses this requirement for FluentCart users.
Builderius + Remote Sync… the team at Builderius has released a remote sync feature that lets you push a Builderius project from local or staging straight to a remote WordPress install in one click. For those running agency setups or library sites, this is the one-click version of what export/import was getting you. AI does dynamic data work locally, then pushes live.
SureCart + Access Code Login… 4.4.0v has added Login with Access Code feature, allowing returning customers to sign in with a one-time code sent to their email. Also, returning customers are now automatically prompted to log in when their email matches an existing account at checkout.
Updates: FluentCommunity, StoreEngine, & Knit Pay
FluentCommunity + Welcome Banners… 2.6.0v has introduced the Course Welcome Banners feature that turns every course into its own landing page. Also, added one-click Lesson Duplication feature to copy any lesson or quiz. Plus, a few UI changes for clearer lock screens, course cards now pick up theme-aware colors based on status, and more.
StoreEngine + New Addons… 2.0v of StoreEngine is a major update bringing 18+ new addons. This includes: Dynamic Pricing, Advanced Coupons, EU Compliance, EU VAT, Currency Switcher, Order Bumps, Instant Checkout, Embeddable Checkout, Inventory, Multi-Location Inventory, Cost & Profit Tracking, and POS Terminal.
Knit Pay + Paypal… 9.4v has upgraded PayPal to the modern JS SDK v6, unlocking local payment methods like iDEAL, BLIK, Przelewy24, Bancontact, Trustly, and Venmo for buyers across Europe, US, and many other countries. Also, the Orderbox integration is also now completely free.
- More Product Updates
- SureForms added one-click migrator for major form plugins.
- WPForms has new write support for WordPress Abilities API.
- ProfilePress has added Paddle integration for WordPress.
- ClickWhale smart displays for customizable product boxes.
- NovaShare new buttons for MeWe, Cash App, Ko-fi, Venmo.
- Toolset Full Site Editing compatibility for Toolset Views, Blocks.
- AffiliateWP One payout feature for an easier affiliate flow.
For WooCommerce: Pocketstore & Payment Story
Pocketstore + Woo Apps… the team at weDevs has launched Pocketstore, a done-for-you service that ships a fully branded native iOS and Android app for any WooCommerce store. The team handles the build, branding, and app store submission. Store owners fill out a request form and get a live app under their own developer account.
Woo + Payment Story… Aaron Bowie has introduced the payment story feature in the AG Traffic Light System (TLS) 3.0 release. It provides a complete visual timeline of the customer’s payment journey, directly inside WooCommerce, to see where and why payment failed.
Quick Bits 👍
- New Course: How WordPress Works in AI land, by Dave Foy.
- The Builderius Story, different kind of Builder, by David McCan.
- Win a MacBook: Tutor LMS 4.0 launch giveaway contest is live.
- Check the top WordPress development agencies, by Pagely.
- Downloadable Guide: The Enterprise WordPress Playbook.
- Code for the People documentary on open web, by Automattic.
- The PHP Ambassador Program is open, scheduled June 30.
- Digging Numbers
- Numbers: WordPress powers 33% of web in 2026, down from 36%.
- Study: 97% of llms .txt files never get read by bots or humans.
- See Chapter 1 of Future of the Web 2026 report, by WP VIP.
- Insights & Perspectives
- Perfect storm & strength of WordPress Platform, by David McCan.
- Oxygen Builder accessibility check, on Accessibility Craft podcast.
- Mark Zahra on SiteGround’s AI Plugin Rollout, 1M forced installs.
- Let’s Learn
- Locking down non-WordPress files, folders, and AI artifacts.
- How to use ChatGPT as a WordPress Page Builder, by Jamie.
- Damon Cook share on building WP Trend Watcher, a CLI tool.
- WordPress on YouTube
- Create WooCommerce store with Novamira & Claude, WP Roads.
- Preview AI site generation features coming in Beaver Builder.
- Courtney recreated new look site in minutes with Airo Builder.
- New law requires ‘Withdrawal Button‘ on store, by Imran Siddiq.
- People of WordPress
- Novamira appoints Carlo Piana as the project chairman.
- Adam Pickering join WP .com as senior product designer.
- Hostinger appointed Giedrius Zakaitis as CEO to lead AI.
WordCamp Europe was Amazing!
WP Weekly issue was missing last week, as I had gone to attend WordCamp Europe in Poland. It was amazing meeting new people and reconnecting with old WordPress folks. Many thanks to Giovanni Cintolo and Alvise Baldassa from Novamira for hosting a lunch (LinkedIn, Instagram), introducing Italian cuisine, and exploring the best bits of Venice.
See more photos from the event (LinkedIn, Twitter X): Contributor Day (LinkedIn, Twitter X), Event Day 1 (LinkedIn, Twitter X), and Event Day 2 (LinkedIn, Twitter X).
- WordCamp Asia 2027 in Málaga, Spain (LinkedIn, Twitter X).
- Recap: What happened at WordCamp Europe 2026 event!
- Lana Miro shared, how was my WordCamp Europe 2026?
- WC Europe 2026 Contributor Day visual recap, by Techiefied.
- Reflections on WC EU 2026, Megan Jones from Gravity Forms.
- Elliot Sowersby’s WCEU Recap, overwhelming & amazing.
- Jonathan Bossenger shared build plugins with AI workshop.
- Videos on WCEU
- Did I enjoy WordCamp Europe 2026? Imran Siddiq shares.
- WordCamp Europe 2026 recap by Matt, from Matt Tutorials.
Security Focus: Website Malware & AI Bot Traffic
GoDaddy Cybersecurity Report… GoDaddy has published the Annual Cybersecurity Report on the changing threat landscape for websites. This report is a result of an analysis of 932,641 threat detections across 834,661 infected websites throughout 2025. Threat spread was: general malware (41.5%), SEO spam (35.2%), malicious redirects (21.7%), unwanted ads (1.1%), and defacements (0.5%), demonstrating the range of attack categories affecting websites.
AI & Bot Traffic Reality Check… Kinsta analyzed more than 10 billion requests across its infrastructure and compiled a report on how AI and search bots are impacting websites, revealing the challenges for performance, server resources, and traffic management. Like over 300% bot traffic surge in one year, 1 in 31 web visits is an AI bot, and over 3.75M ‘add to cart’ hits from one bot in 24 hours.
Business of WP: Acquisition, Partnership, & Branding
Progress Planner Acquisition… Joost de Valk and Marieke van de Rakt, created Progress Planner after Yoast SEO. Progress Planner has been acquired by Your .Online – with Joost, Marieke, and their team joining the group to lead the development of AI capabilities across its platform.
WP Buffs & Equalize Digital… WP Buffs has partnered with Equalize Digital to support WordPress website owners in tackling website accessibility. The collaboration promises to help WordPress website owners make accessibility part of their regular WordPress website maintenance.
New kramakit Brand… Michael Barinov shared (Links X) about moving all plugins under one new brand called Karmakit. “For now, it’s a simple umbrella site with some information and links to the existing plugin websites. But over time, all content and plugins will live there”.
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FluentCart combines performance, flexibility, and control in one powerful WordPress eCommerce plugin. Easily sell physical or digital products, hybrid product listings, subscriptions, memberships, and more.
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