Allow PHP-Only Block Registration

[priethor]

What problem does this address?

Currently, registering blocks in core requires writing JavaScript code, even for blocks that are fully rendered in PHP using a render_callback. This adds unnecessary complexity for PHP-focused developers and prevents easier block adoption, especially in classic themes or server-driven workflows.

What is your proposed solution?

Allowing PHP-only block registration. This would:

• Allow blocks to be registered and appear in the editor using only PHP and block metadata.
• Enable WordPress sites and classic themes to adopt blocks more easily; these blocks could be wrappers for legacy PHP functions or shortcodes.
• Open new opportunities for server-side features, custom integrations, and future-proof compatibility.

A pure-PHP registration model would simplify the minimum requirements for block development, making them accessible for a wider developer audience, and help grow the block ecosystem beyond advanced JavaScript usage.

Tasks

• Initial API changes to support PHP-only blocks Allow registering PHP-only blocks #71794
• Expand API to generate inspector controls based on DataForms PHP-only blocks: Generate inspector controls from attributes #74102
• Update documentation accordingly PHP-only blocks: add documentation #72068

[youknowriad]

Any thoughts on expanding this API to generate inspector controls based on DataForm and attribute types?

[youknowriad]

cc @gziolo @mtias if you have any thoughts.

[gziolo]

What are the code examples of the blocks developers could build this way?

Enable WordPress sites and classic themes to adopt blocks more easily; blocks could be powerful wrappers for legacy PHP functions or shortcodes.

There are Shortcode and Embed blocks.

[priethor]

There are Shortcode and Embed blocks.

Yep, although this would provide higher reusability/distribution, with the code being part of the block instead of part of the content.

[mtias]

I'm interested in seeing this also extend to improve pattern registration on the server side, including supporting latest features like bindings.