WordPress.com has released a series of updates to its platform, introducing sharper image editing tools, a new multitasking interface called Desktop Mode, and expanded capabilities for connected AI agents. The changes were detailed in a company changelog covering the period from June 5 to June 18, 2026.
Image editing improvements
The in-editor crop and resize tools are now available across all WordPress.com sites. Users can frame a photo directly within the post or page editor without opening a separate application. To access the feature, a user adds an image to a post or page, then clicks the crop button to launch the new editing experience.
Desktop Mode plugin released
Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, has released a free, open-source plugin called Desktop Mode. The plugin transforms the WordPress admin interface into a workspace resembling a computer desktop environment.
Users can open posts, pages, and media as separate windows that can be resized and arranged. A quick command search allows navigation to any section, and a single Recycle Bin covers deleted posts, pages, media, and comments. The plugin is available for installation on any paid WordPress.com plan.
Expanded AI agent capabilities
Users who connect an AI agent, such as Claude or ChatGPT, to their WordPress.com site can now access additional functions. Beyond managing content, a connected agent can edit site design elements including templates, menus, navigation, and styles. On plugin-enabled sites, the agent can search for, install, activate, and update plugins. It can also handle team access tasks such as inviting people, changing roles, and managing permissions.
The agent can create a new WordPress.com site from a description and look up account details related to billing and subscriptions. The feature remains disabled by default and must be turned on manually in account settings. Every tool is opt-in, and users can disable the agent for specific sites at any time.
Bug fixes and improvements
WordPress.com also released a round of polish and reliability updates. A fix was applied to the Add Mailbox page, which previously failed on first load, requiring a refresh to add a mailbox. A crash in the post editor after generating a video clip on sites without specific settings has been resolved. Renewal dates shown in checkout terms now display in the user’s chosen language.
Social shares to Threads have been corrected to include a link preview card automatically when a post uses a custom message without the URL. Previously, posts shared in this manner did not display the preview card.
Source: WordPress.com
