An inside look at the selection of the WordPress 2026 Core Team Representatives. Ahmad Wael discusses the roles of Amy Kamala and Jb Audras, the administrative nature of the Team Rep position, and how this leadership transition ensures stability for future WordPress Core development and release cycles.
The proposed CSS :near pseudo-class promises to revolutionize how we handle pointer proximity. Instead of relying on expensive JavaScript Euclidean distance calculations, developers could soon use native CSS to trigger styles as a user approaches an element, improving performance and streamlining complex UI interactions without the JS bloat.
The WordPress 7.0 Admin Refresh is more than a visual update; it’s a fundamental shift toward real-time collaboration and standardized AI integration. Ahmad Wael breaks down the key takeaways from the recent product review meeting with Matt Mullenweg, focusing on CSS modernization, the AI Client, and PHP-only block registration for developers.
Stop killing mobile performance with main-thread JavaScript. Ahmad Wael explains how to use modern CSS sibling-index() and scroll-timeline() to create complex scrollytelling effects like text vortexes. Learn to move heavy animation logic to the compositor for a jank-free experience that works where traditional JS-heavy sites fail.
Stop using inaccessible background gradients. Learn how to build a truly semantic CSS pie chart using modern trigonometric functions like cos() and sin(). Ahmad Wael explains why semantic HTML is the foundation of accessible data visualization and how to use the attr() function to bridge the gap between markup and styles.
Designing mental health apps requires more than just clean code; it requires an Empathy-Centred UX Framework. Ahmad Wael breaks down how to replace manipulative dark patterns with supportive onboarding, low-stimulus interface design, and ethical retention engines that prioritize user trust and psychological safety in high-stress digital environments.
Frustrated by broken accessibility in dynamic WordPress themes? Stop waiting for the contrast-color() function. Learn how to build a reliable CSS Contrast Color Approximation today using OKLCH and relative color syntax. This pragmatist’s guide shows you how to automate text color accessibility with zero JavaScript and better performance.
WordPress 7.0 is bringing major changes for developers, including the long-awaited ‘always iframed’ editor and native viewport-based block visibility. From architectural shifts in Gutenberg 22.5 to the new WordPress Studio CLI updates, Senior Developer Ahmad Wael breaks down the features you need to know before the February 19th deadline.
Learn how to leverage modern CSS functions like sibling-index() and the upgraded attr() to build lightweight, performant bar charts natively. Senior dev Ahmad Wael breaks down the transition from heavy JavaScript libraries to clean, semantic CSS Grid implementations, including a practical WordPress PHP helper for dynamic data rendering.
Refresh your workflow with the February 2026 Wallpapers collection from Smashing Magazine. Ahmad Wael provides a senior developer’s take on managing high-resolution assets, including technical tips on using srcset for performance and avoiding common image delivery bottlenecks on WordPress sites. Download your fresh desktop inspiration today.