Drupal 11: What to expect? Comprehensive guide to new features and enhancements

Drupal 11 is here, and it's time to delve into the exciting new features and enhancements that will redefine content management and website development. In this post, we’ll explore the functionalities, improvements, and overall impact Drupal 11 will have on your digital strategy.

New and enhanced features in Drupal 11

Modernised admin interface

Drupal 11 brings a revamped admin interface, focusing on usability and accessibility. The cleaner design and intuitive navigation make content management more straightforward and efficient, catering to both beginners and seasoned developers. The classic administration toolbar now renders faster on both back-end and front-end pages, enhancing efficiency.

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Advanced media management

The new media management tools in Drupal 11 allow for more flexible handling of images, videos, and other media types. The updated Media Library offers enhanced organisation, tagging, and retrieval options, ensuring your content is easily accessible and reusable. Media entities now support revision editing, and the default image styles use WebP, which reduces image sizes by roughly 25%-34%.

Improved API-first approach

Drupal 11 continues to embrace the API-first initiative, making it easier to integrate with other systems and platforms. The enhancements in RESTful APIs and GraphQL support enable seamless data sharing and more dynamic, decoupled architectures. Decoupled navigation has been simplified with dedicated endpoints using the Linkset standard, making it easier for front-end developers to consume menu data and manage application menus without writing code.

Enhanced security features

Security remains a top priority with Drupal 11. The platform introduces advanced security measures, including automated updates and stronger encryption protocols, providing peace of mind in an increasingly digital world. The access policy API supports complex access control solutions beyond traditional permissions and roles, offering more flexible and secure access management.

Performance boosts

With performance enhancements, Drupal 11 ensures faster load times and a smoother user experience. Improved caching strategies, database optimisation, and the use of PHP 8.3 contribute to the overall speed and efficiency of your website. Proactive performance insight is facilitated by Gander, an automated testing framework that monitors key performance metrics.

Symfony 7 integration

Drupal 11 is built on Symfony 7, bringing the latest advancements from the Symfony framework into the Drupal ecosystem. This integration enhances performance, security, and development efficiency.

Layout builder enhancements

The Layout Builder in Drupal 11 has been enhanced to offer more flexibility and control over page design. With improved drag-and-drop functionality and customisable layouts, creating visually appealing pages is easier than ever.

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Headless CMS improvements

Drupal 11 further strengthens its capabilities as a headless CMS. With better decoupling options and enhanced support for JavaScript frameworks like React and Vue.js, developers can create more dynamic and interactive user experiences.

Multilingual capabilities

Drupal 11 continues to lead in multilingual support, making it easier to build and manage sites in multiple languages. The new features enhance translation workflows and ensure content consistency across different languages.

Single-Directory Components (SDCs)

The Single-Directory Components module is now part of Drupal core, making UI component creation more efficient. With everything needed for a component in a single directory, components are easier to find, reuse, and write. This feature is particularly beneficial for front-end developers who may not be deeply familiar with Drupal.

Improved menu creation

Drupal 11 simplifies menu creation by allowing users to add child menu items directly and streamline menu item editing. This helps users focus on key elements needed to build great sites.

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JavaScript Modernisation

Modern JavaScript components are used to replace some uses of jQuery UI. Drupal builders can now leverage on-the-fly JavaScript file minification, reducing file sizes and improving performance.

Debugging and cache controls

Drupal 11 introduces a "Twig Development Mode" for developers, offering powerful debugging tools and reducing the need for repetitive cache clears. Additionally, a "Do Not Cache Markup" option enhances control over caching mechanisms.

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CKEditor 5 enhancements

The CKEditor 5 in Drupal 11 includes improvements such as the ability to configure specific programming or markup languages for the "Code block" button, enhancing the authoring and editing experience.

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Block management

Site builders can create custom blocks directly in the administrative interface with more granular permissions and revision controls. Blocks can be shown or hidden based on response status, enhancing flexibility.

Stable workspaces

The Workspaces module in Drupal 11 allows users to prepare and stage content updates, making it easier to manage and review changes before publishing.

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Taxonomy features

Drupal 11 enhances taxonomy with a visual UI for viewing, reverting, and deleting revisions. It also supports content moderation workflows for taxonomy terms.

Composable site-building with recipes APIs

The Recipes API enables automated site-building steps that can be combined and do not linger after application. This feature promotes composable site-building and simplifies the process of setting up specific use cases.

Enhanced lazy loading capability

BigPipe in Drupal 11 supports interface previews for delayed content, improving user experience by reducing page reflows. Responsive images and oEmbed content can also be lazy-loaded, optimising initial page load times.

Improved core code performance

Drupal 11's core code has been streamlined and cleaned up to enhance performance and security. Deprecated code from Drupal 10 has been removed, reducing confusion and redundancy in APIs.

What more can we expect?

Project browser

One of the most talked-about features is the Project Browser, which simplifies the process of finding and installing modules. This user-friendly interface is designed to help site builders quickly locate the tools they need without extensive searching.

Automatic updates

Automatic updates in Drupal 11 aim to simplify site maintenance and security management. This feature ensures that your site stays up-to-date with the latest security patches and improvements, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities.

Preparing for Drupal 11: Migration and support

As the release date approaches, it’s crucial to start planning your migration strategy to ensure a smooth transition. Here are a few steps to get you started:

1. Evaluate your current setup: Assess your current Drupal environment and identify any custom modules or themes that need updating.
2. Review new features: Familiarise yourself with the new functionalities and determine how they can benefit your site.
3. Test thoroughly: Set up a staging environment to test the migration process and new features before going live.
4. Seek professional help: Consider partnering with Drupal experts to assist with the migration and leverage their expertise for a seamless upgrade.

At Bulcode, we are here to support your journey to Drupal 11. Our team of experienced developers and consultants can help you navigate the migration process, ensuring your website takes full advantage of the latest features and improvements.

Conclusion

Drupal 11 promises to be a game-changer, offering a host of new features and enhancements that cater to modern digital needs. From improved performance to advanced media management, Drupal 11 is set to elevate your website to new heights. Stay ahead of the curve by preparing for the upgrade now and take advantage of our expert support to make the transition as smooth as possible.