Drupal 11: New Features and Enhancements You Should Know

Ever since its founding, Drupal has been a cornerstone in the CMS landscape. The open-source content management system (CMS) is well known for its flexibility, scalability and consistent community support. It has continually evolved to adapt to the growing needs of developers, site builders and content editors. With each new version, Drupal has introduced innovative new features.

• Drupal 7 brought in the CKEditor and a plethora of modules which greatly enhanced website functionality and customization.

• Drupal 8 introduced the Layout Builder and the mobile-friendly Olivero theme.

• Drupal 9 focused on modernizing the platform with streamlined upgrades, improved performance and the integration of Composer for better dependency management.

• Drupal 10, too, brought several notable improvements:

  • CKEditor 5 that enhanced the editing experience, making copy editing and collaboration significantly easier.

  • Media provided a more streamlined way to work with assets.

  • Layout Builder offered a flexible landing page design, allowing users to mix and match components, media and copy, supporting storytelling and improving conversion rates.

  • Olivero served as the default front-end theme and Claro as the default administration theme, with both modernizing the look of websites.

  • Numerous accessibility improvements ensured a more inclusive web experience.

However, as digital experiences have grown in complexity, so has the need for more advanced tools and a more streamlined approach. This sets the stage for Drupal 11 – the latest core that promises to address many needs and push the boundaries of what a CMS can offer.

What’s New in Drupal 11?

Designed with a “Composable Core” strategy, Drupal 11 focuses on enhancing site builder tools, streamlining the content editing process and simplifying upgrades and maintenance. This strategy aims to make Drupal more user-friendly and efficient, ensuring it remains a top choice for both developers and content managers.

Streamlined Tools for Ambitious Site Builders

Drupal 11 is set to revolutionize site building with a suite of powerful tools designed for efficiency and accessibility.

1. Project Browser Initiative – This tool makes it easier to discover and install modules. It provides high-quality module recommendations with one-click installation. This simplifies the learning curve and empowers site builders to extend the functionality of their websites with ease.

2. Starter Templates or Recipes Initiative: These are pre-defined ‘recipes’ that allow for faster site setup for specific needs (e.g., blog site, news site or e-commerce site). This lowers the entry barrier for developers who aren’t familiar with Drupal’s intricacies, allowing them to get their projects off the ground without starting from scratch.

3. Enhanced Administrative Interface: The updated interface offers administrators a more intuitive and user-friendly experience in managing content. The new design is visually appealing and optimized for better usability, even for non-technical users who wish to navigate the CMS.

Empowering Content Editors

Drupal 11 comes with powerful enhancements that streamline the content creation and management process, providing editors with intuitive tools to boost their productivity.

1. Layout Builder – This module simplifies custom landing page creation more intuitively, allowing content editors to easily design and customize page layouts with a drag-and-drop interface. With this feature editors can now create visually appealing and functional pages without relying heavily on developers.

2. Modern page tools – Tools like automatic formatting minimize the need for manual adjustments by ensuring content is consistently styled according to predefined rules. This feature makes it easier for content editors to focus on creating high-quality content rather than dealing with formatting issues.

Hassle-Free Upgrades and Maintenance

One of the most significant features of Drupal 11 is the focus on hassle-free upgrades and maintenance. The platform introduces:

1. Automated Updates Initiative – This feature simplifies the process of keeping the CMS up to date. It ensures that websites remain secure and performant without requiring extensive manual intervention.

2. GitLab Initiative – This integration enhances collaboration and version control in Drupal 11. By integrating GitLab, Drupal streamlines the development workflow, allowing teams to work more efficiently and effectively. This initiative supports better code management, making it easier to track changes, collaborate on projects and deploy updates.

3. The Great Module Migration – In the new core, architecture is streamlined and the core size is reduced by approximately 20%. This initiative is intended to free up resources for focused innovations.

Other Notable Enhancements  

The latest version of Drupal brings many key enhancements to create more dynamic and efficient websites.

1. Single Directory Components (SDC): This enhancement allows developers to create reusable UI components within a single directory. It promotes consistency across the website by simplifying the development process and accelerates project timelines.

2. Decoupled Menu Support: This notable addition improves flexibility in managing menus in decoupled architectures. With Linkset support, developers can easily manage and render menus in various front-end frameworks, enhancing overall user experience.

3. Menu, Taxonomy and Permission Management: Enhancements in these areas make it easier for administrators to organize and control their content. This ensures that users have access to the information they want, all while maintaining security and compliance.

4. Symfony 7 Upgrade: This upgrade ensures Drupal is aligned with the industry standards and enables performance improvements, new features and better support for modern PHP practices.

The Future of Drupal

As Drupal continues to evolve, the future is promising. These ongoing developments aim to enhance usability, performance and functionality, making the platform even more engaging and intuitive. If you’re considering a migration or an upgrade, now is the perfect time to explore Drupal 11. Our team is here to help you with Drupal development, maintenance and support services, to ensure you fully leverage these exciting advancements.

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