WordPress has released version 6.9 Beta 2, marking another key milestone toward the platform’s next major update, scheduled for December 2, 2025. According to Akshaya Rane’s announcement on WordPress.org, this beta version is strictly for testing and should not be used on live or production websites.
Users and developers are encouraged to help refine the upcoming release by testing Beta 2 using any of the following methods:
- Installing the WordPress Beta Tester plugin (selecting the “Bleeding edge” and “Beta/RC Only” options)
- Downloading the Beta 2 ZIP file directly
- Running the WP-CLI command wp core update –version=6.9-beta2
- Trying the WordPress Playground instance, which allows in-browser testing without setup
This release builds upon the improvements introduced in Beta 1 and includes over 33 Editor updates and fixes, along with 28 resolved tickets for WordPress core since October 21, 2025. Each beta cycle focuses primarily on stability and bug fixes, with further refinements expected before the final rollout.
Rane emphasized the importance of community testing to ensure the stability and performance of WordPress 6.9. Users encountering bugs can report them through the Alpha/Beta support forums or WordPress Trac.
WordPress provides a detailed testing guide for testers eager to learn more about the process and invites contributors to join the #core-test Slack channel. As Rane notes, continued participation from the WordPress community is crucial to delivering a robust and reliable 6.9 release.