WordPress 6.9 has been out for more than a week now, and I’m still soaking in the joy of being part of the release squad once again. This time, I got to co-lead testing with Jonathan, and the whole experience has been incredibly satisfying. Honestly, it’s one of those moments where you pause and think, “Wow… I really got to do this.” ✨
Being part of a release squad still feels like a dream that my past self wouldn’t even imagine. One of the most beautiful things about WordPress and the open-source world as a whole is the global community that makes all of this possible.
I feel genuinely proud to be a small part of something so big, so diverse, and collaborative.
How It All Started
If you had asked me years ago what “contributing” meant, I probably wouldn’t have had a proper answer. I just logged a couple of tickets here and there about things I noticed while using WordPress. At that time, I honestly thought only people with a coding background could meaningfully contribute. Because of that assumption, I never really explored further.
But curiosity has its own way of pushing you forward.
I kept asking questions. Later, I also started attending meetups and WordCamps.
I kept reading, observing, trying to understand how things worked.
The Contributor Mentorship Program was a huge shift for me. It gave me clarity, a direction, and most importantly, the confidence that I did have a place here. Then I became a Test Team Rep…and then I got the chance to lead the testing efforts for WordPress 6.8. And now 6.9!
What I Learned While Becoming a WordPress Test Lead
When I stepped into the Test Lead role, I had so many assumptions about what I was “supposed” to already know. I spoke with previous Test Leads, got tons of guidance, and still found myself uncertain at times. And that’s when I learned one of the biggest lessons:
Don’t be afraid to ask questions; even if you need to ask them twice.
But also, do your bit of homework first. This community is incredibly supportive, but no one will spoon-feed you. You learn by trying, failing, trying again, and asking for help at the right moments.
Being part of the release squad opened my eyes to so many behind-the-scenes details:
- how decisions are made, big and small
- how features get included or delayed
- how responsibilities get distributed
- how bugs are discovered, escalated, discussed, and resolved
- and how dozens of people, across time zones, manage to ship a release smoothly
It’s fascinating, honestly. If you’ve ever been curious about how WordPress releases really take shape, volunteering for a release role is the best way to learn.
Why You Should Consider Joining a Future Release
With WordPress 7.0 coming up, I really hope more people consider raising their hand. You don’t need years of experience or a coding background. You don’t need to have everything figured out. All you need is the willingness to try and the curiosity to learn.
You will find your way.
You will get support.
And you will grow in confidence and in skill.
What This Journey Has Given Me
Looking back, this experience has shaped me in so many ways. I’ve learned to value:
- teamwork
- patience
- async communication
- taking responsibility
- trust in the process (and myself!)
More than anything, it has shown me that open source is truly for everyone.
You can start small, explore different teams, and eventually find yourself in roles you never thought possible.
If my experience encourages even one person to take a step toward contributing or to believe that they belong here too, then sharing it was worth it. Here are some small but meaningful next steps:
- Take a look at the Make/WordPress teams
- Keep an eye out for any upcoming post for WordPress 7.0 release
- Participate in testing opportunity
- Connect with someone already contributing
Your first step doesn’t have to be big… just intentional. If you still have a question why should I contribute, here is the answers to it.
Deep gratitude to my mentors Ankit Gupta, Birgit, George, Hari, Jeff Paul, Jonathan, Jonathan Bossenger, Olga, Pooja Derashri for the constant guidance, patience, and approachability. I’m also thankful to the wider community of mentors and contributors whose support, feedback, and shared knowledge made this journey possible. 🙇🏻♀️
Here’s to learning, contributing, and growing together. 💪🏻
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