Automattic has released a Public beta of its redesigned WordPress Studio Desktop application, integrating an AI-powered development agent directly into the local site building workflow. The new software, unveiled at WordCamp US, is now available for download on macOS, Windows, and Linux operating systems.

The overhauled application is built around “Studio Code,” an artificial intelligence agent designed specifically for WordPress development. The tool claims native knowledge of WordPress blocks, themes, and the WP-CLI command line interface, allowing users to generate functional sites through natural language prompts.

Integrated Development Environment

The new user interface presents a unified workspace featuring three distinct panels within a single window. A site management list occupies the left sidebar, a chat interface for the AI agent sits in the center, and a live rendering of the website appears on the right side of the screen.

This layout allows developers to issue commands, observe changes in real time, and identify errors without switching between separate browser windows or applications. The live preview functions as a fully operational local site, enabling users to navigate pages and access the WordPress administrative dashboard directly within the application.

User Access and Migration

New users of the Studio application will see the agentic interface by default upon installation. Returning users can enable the feature by navigating through the settings menu and locating the beta features section within the application preferences.

According to the company, existing local sites will migrate automatically when users activate the new interface, requiring no manual export or import processes. Users are required to verify their account with a payment method on file, though the company states no charges will be applied during the trial phase.

An annotation tool remains available within the preview panel, allowing users to highlight specific elements on the page and submit targeted change requests to the AI agent in a single batch.

Development and Deployment Features

The application retains its core functionality for creating local WordPress installations. Developers can spin up new test environments in seconds, experiment without risk to live production servers, and push completed projects to managed hosting services through the integrated Studio Sync feature.

Users can disable the AI features entirely through the application settings if they prefer to build websites using traditional methods. The chat history is preserved locally, allowing developers to pause work and resume previous sessions with the AI agent at a later time.

Swiss WordPress developer Olivier Gobet provided a testimonial in the release announcement, stating that the tool has changed his workflow after nearly two decades of building WordPress sites. He noted that the agent allows him to focus on the desired outcome rather than technical implementation barriers.

Beta Credits and Feedback

During the beta period, users will receive a one-time credit allocation to test the AI functionality. Once the initial credit is exhausted, additional usage is available for purchase at a rate of $10 per transaction.

The company is soliciting bug reports, feature suggestions, and general feedback through the official GitHub repository for the Studio project. This input is expected to guide future development priorities and refinements to the agent-based workflow before the final stable release.

Source: WordPress.com Blog