MW

Gutenberg Development

Learn how to build custom blocks, extend the editor, and create powerful WordPress experiences with Gutenberg.

intermediate 6h total 12 tutorials Updated May 13, 2026

What you'll learn

Build custom blocks with React & JSX

Use block APIs and editor components

Add inspector controls and settings

Work with block patterns & variations

Package and distribute plugins

Tutorials in this series

  1. 01
    Introduction to Gutenberg
    Understanding the block editor and its architecture.
    25 min
  2. 02
    Setting up a Block Development Environment
    Tools, setup, and creating your first block.
    35 min
  3. 03
    Building Your First Custom Block
    Create a simple block using React and JSX.
    45 min
  4. 04
    Block Attributes and Serialization
    Working with attributes and saving data.
    30 min
  5. 05
    Inspector Controls and Settings
    Add controls in the block sidebar.
    35 min
  6. 06
    Inner Blocks and Composition
    Build dynamic and nested block structures.
    40 min
  7. 07
    Block Styles and Variations
    Add visual styles and block variations.
    30 min
  8. 08
    Block Patterns
    Create and register custom block patterns.
    25 min
  9. 09
    Extending the Editor
    Use editor APIs and filters to extend functionality.
    40 min
  10. 10
    Building a Block Plugin
    Organize, document, and prepare your block plugin.
    35 min
  11. 11
    Testing and Debugging Blocks
    Best practices for testing and debugging.
    30 min
  12. 12
    Publishing Your Block Plugin
    Release your plugin to the world.
    30 min

This series is a practical, hands-on guide to Gutenberg development. By the end, you’ll be able to build and publish your own block plugin — from a one-block proof of concept to a packaged, documented, distributable WordPress extension.

Each tutorial builds on the previous one. Start at Part 1 if you’re new to Gutenberg. If you’ve shipped a block before, jump to Part 4 (Attributes) for the deeper material on serialization and editor extension.

Who this series is for:

  • You write WordPress plugins or themes and want to add Gutenberg features
  • You’re a React developer curious about WP’s block model
  • You’ve followed a couple “hello world block” tutorials and want the rest of the picture
  • You build sites for clients and need custom blocks they can use

What this series is NOT:

  • An introduction to WordPress itself — you should already know what a plugin is and how to install one
  • A React tutorial — basic JSX familiarity is assumed (we explain the WordPress-specific patterns, not React fundamentals)
  • A theme development course — we focus on blocks, not theme.json or full-site editing

The complete source code for every block built in this series lives on GitHub. Each tutorial links to its corresponding commit so you can check your work as you go.

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