Questions About Genesis Framework and Upcoming Block Theme

[Rob Mc]

I've been searching around to find information on what, exactly, the new Block Theme is going to be like, especially in concerns with existing Genesis stuff.

For example, will the new Block Theme need the Genesis Framework? There seems to be some conflict in the blogosphere about that and I don't see any clarification from StudioPress/Wp-Engine on any blogs or documentation.

It sounds like it might not, so, what does that mean for Genesis specific plugins/functions? Will there be a bridge of some kind to allow things like the Author Pro Plugin to work? What about One Click Set Up? And then there are things like "Blox Lite/Blox" which I use a lot on sites - how will something like that work without the underlying Genesis Framework?

If anyone in the community has any information at all about the actual future of Genesis, besides saying "blocks", I would appreciate it. I'm excited about blocks and going more block based, but I really do need to start having some understanding of what is going to happen to the actual Genesis Framework/Platform. There are several migration/tech/conceptual issues I need to plan for if the Genesis Framework is truly going to undergo a significant sea change.

Will it even still be a platform, or will it just be a brand name going forward with everything dependent on the Genesis Blocks plugin? The documentation and marketing I keep seeing makes it sound like Genesis is changing to just a modernized version of Elementor?

Any help, insights, or direction appreciated. I've tried contacting WP-Engine support and they are especially unhelpful on this topic.

Thanks,
Rob Mc

[Victor Font]

You can download the Beta and test it for yourself: https://www.studiopress.com/genesis-block-theme/

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Regards,

Victor
https://victorfont.com/
Call us toll free: 844-VIC-FONT (842-3668)
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[AnitaC]

With the Block template, you will not need to use the Genesis Framework, but also note... the Genesis Framework is not going anywhere. It will still be updated and the child themes will still be updated as well. I do know they are working on updating themes for Core Web Vitals and Cumulative Layout Shift. So not to worry about the framework and child themes. From what I know, the framework is going to be around for some years.

As for the Block Theme Template, it's the equivalent of the Genesis Sample for the framework. It will be the "Sample" for Genesis Blocks and Genesis Blocks Pro.

Keep in mind though, that Genesis Blocks and Genesis Blocks Pro will work with any theme and not just Genesis. I tried it with the Twenty Twenty and it worked fine.

And they are also working on Full Site Editing. I'll have David V. chime in here for more specifics. Maybe there should be better communication about how all the pieces parts will be working.

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Need help with customization or troubleshooting? Reach out to me.

[Rob Mc]

Thank you, Anita. I'll keep an eye out for David V and, yes, more communication would be good.

[saadbhai]

As I see here, We no longer need a genesis framework with a block template? I am also planning to buy new genesis theme for my site..

[LucCherWalker]

Hi Anita,

What do you mean exactly by "... the Genesis Framework is not going anywhere. It will still be updated ...".

Is Genesis going to disapear soon ???

Thanks

[AnitaC]

The "framework" meaning the Genesis Framework what you all know and use now. It's not going anywhere.

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Need help with customization or troubleshooting? Reach out to me.

[Rob Mc]

I saw that Nate Price recently wrote about Genesis Plugin Deprecations, citing Genesis Simple Edits and Genesis Simple FAQ, both of which are pretty much superseded by Blocks and changes to the framework.

This is nice information, and it helps, but there is still very little information about the future of Genesis in a Full Site Editing world. For example, some really positive plugins like Author Pro require the Genesis Framework to be active, will that plugin be adapted to work with the new Genesis Blocks Theme or will it only be for "Legacy" themes that use the actual Genesis Framework? What about the bridge type plugins (bbPress, WooCommerce, etc)? What will, and won't, be needed in the future?

Is the current "Genesis Blocks Theme" a real theme or still a Beta? What is it's roadmap and will it incorporate the Genesis theme or be completely standalone?

I'm still waiting patiently for David V. - or someone - to provide some clarity on planning/roadmap for Genesis themes and plugins moving into a WordPress 5.8+ world.

Thanks,
Rob Mc

[KG]

I have the same questions as Rob Mc. Also, what is the best way to create a new site, with just the new Genesis Block Theme?
Thanks,
Kelleen

[David Vogelpohl]

Hey All. We're prepping a post around FSE and the future of Genesis to follow the announcements around Framework being free, etc. etc.

The gist of the post is that you'll likely still keep building / using "classic WordPress themes" (way all themes are built today) for a very long time as FSE adoption in WP as a whole takes root over time.

I do not think most people need to start building with FSE on the day it is available in WP Core, but I do believe all folks building with WP should have a testing and adoption plan for FSE.
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Genesis for FSE will be focused on Genesis Blocks, Custom Blocks, and Block Theme (aka "the Genesis Sample for FSE"). There will also be 3rd party Genesis block themes, just like there are 3rd party classic themes today. The role of content within Genesis themes will take a stronger role using "Collections" in the FSE theme context.

These are the areas we'll unpack in the post I mentioned that we're working on along with details on how the 3rd party theme economy will expand for folks making premium Genesis themes.

For now, you should absolutely keep building themes the way you're currently building them and start to play around with Genesis Blocks / Custom Blocks if you'd like to stay ahead of the curve.

In any case, more to come as we work through the launch of Framework being free, etc. plus drafting the post itself 🙂

[kirkoconnor]

Not sure if this is the best place to ask this, so apologies in advance....

Just playing with the Genesis Block Theme now and, as it does not require the Genesis framework, my question is will the Genesis Block theme files be overwritten in future updates?

I am doing some customisations to the header and the functionality so far in FSE templates simply does not provide enough flexibility (so far) to do anything much so I was considering updating the header.php file in the Genesis block theme.

If the theme files will be overwritten in the future then is there a recommended way of creating a unique header?

Thanks in advance for any advice anyone can offer.
Kirk

[KG]

Is the NEW Genesis Block Theme that does not need the framework and is consider Full-site editing ready to go?

Also how do I customize it? I need to add a widget area above the header and add another Navigation Menu.

Thanks for your time and attention.

[elurie]

Since the Genesis Block Theme does not need the Genesis Framework, it seems then, that a child theme is in order. Should the Block theme be updated in the future, my customizations would be overwritten. Is this correct?
Many Thanks,

[Author]

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