WordPress 7.1 ‘Mary Lou’ release introduces major editor and collaboration updates

WordPress has released version 7.1, code-named ‘Mary Lou’ in honor of jazz musician Mary Lou Williams. Launched on August 19, 2026, this major update introduces several architectural and functional changes to the content management system.

A significant technical shift is the move to an iframe-based block editor, which may require updates for certain themes and plugins to maintain compatibility. The update also features a persistent administration bar and enhanced media editing capabilities, including support for formats like HEIC, AVIF, and WebP.

New collaboration tools include an upgraded Notes system that supports rich text, @mentions, and threaded comments to facilitate team feedback. Additionally, the release introduces per-device responsive styling, allowing users to adjust block appearances for different screen sizes without custom CSS, alongside new blocks such as Tabs and Audio Playlist.