The Future of WordPress:
Should It Be Headed Toward a "Linux-Style" Revolution?
This article is a combination of my own thoughts and were expounded upon by ChatGPT
So with all the Automattic/WPE hoopla out there, I started thinking (uh-oh): what if WordPress started to evolve in the same way that Linux did years ago? Think about how Linux branched off into a bunch of different “distributions” (distros) like Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora. Each one of these versions serves a different purpose—some are built for ease of use, some for developers, some for super-computing geeks. You get the point.
Now, what if WordPress did the same thing? What if instead of having this one giant, catch-all WordPress platform, we saw it splinter into different versions, each tailored for specific needs? Honestly, this could be a game-changer for everyone from hardcore developers to designers and even casual users who just want a simple, no-fuss website.
The Current WordPress Situation: One Size Fits… Everyone?
Let’s start with where WordPress is at right now. It’s still the go-to platform for anyone wanting to build a website—whether you’re running a blog, an eCommerce store, or just a one-page brochure type site. It’s flexible, it’s reliable, and there’s a plugin for just about anything you can imagine.
But let’s be real: WordPress is trying to be everything for everyone, and that can lead to some headaches. Want to run an online store? You have to start with the core WordPress installation and pile on a bunch of plugins like WooCommerce. Need something super fast and lightweight for a blog? You might spend hours sorting through themes and plugins that can potentially slow your site down more than they help.
Here’s where the Linux comparison comes in. What if we took a page from the Linux playbook and started offering different “distributions” of its platform, each focused on specific use cases. I know it sounds like a big shift, but it actually makes a lot of sense.
What Could WordPress Distributions Look Like?
Instead of having one big WordPress install and then having to sift through a mountain of plugins and themes, what if you could pick a version of WordPress that’s already tailored to your needs?
Here are a few ideas:
- WP BlogOS
Picture this: a version of WordPress designed purely for blogging. You install it, and bam! You’ve got all the tools you need, optimized for writing, SEO, and performance. No extra fluff. It’s just a streamlined version of WordPress built for writers who want to crank out posts and get found on Google, without any of the bloat that comes with adding random plugins.
- WP ShopOS
This one’s for all the online sellers out there. WP ShopOS could be a specialized version of WordPress that’s built with eCommerce in mind from the ground up. Something better than WooCommerce, inherent to the build with shipping integrations, and an inventory management system. Instead of patching together your online store one plugin at a time, you get everything you need right out of the box.
- WP DesignOS
This one would be geared specifically to designers. Imagine a version of WordPress made specifically for designers who want maximum creative freedom. WP DesignOS would come pre-built with your favorite page builders like Oxygen, Bricks, or even Etch, or maybe even something brand new. No extra junk, just a clean canvas to build your dream site. Oh, and it’d have killer front-end design tools right at your fingertips.
- WP CodeOS
This is for the more hardcore developers, the ones who love to work directly with code and keep things light. WP CodeOS could be a stripped-down, no-nonsense version of WordPress that’s built for people who want to code everything from scratch. It’d be perfect for those who don’t need drag-and-drop builders but want quick, easy access to modify CSS classes, manage layouts with a framework like Tailwind CSS, and take full control of every detail. This kind of “bare bones” WordPress would let you work faster, cleaner, and with fewer moving parts.
How Would This Help Developers?
If you’re a developer, I’m willing to bet you’ve had to deal with WordPress installations that felt more bloated than a post-Thanksgiving meal. You install it, add a few plugins, and suddenly you’re wrestling with compatibility issues, slow load times, and endless updates.
But if WordPress moved to a distro model, you could pick the version that already has what you need and then customize it from there. Let’s say you’re developing an eCommerce site for a client. Instead of starting with WordPress Core, installing WooCommerce, configuring payment gateways, and all the crap that goes with it, you could just download WP ShopOS. It’s built for that purpose, optimized, and ready to go. You’d save yourself hours of setup time.
Now, if you’re more of a minimalist developer, WP CodeOS would be your dream come true. A blank canvas to apply your custom CSS classes, frameworks like Tailwind, or utility-first stylesheets without getting bogged down by unnecessary features.
What About Designers?
Designers would benefit just as much, if not more, from this approach. WP DesignOS would give you the flexibility to start designing right away, without having to disable a bunch of features that are totally irrelevant to your workflow. If you’re working on a highly creative, custom project, you don’t need eCommerce settings and blogging features clogging up your interface. You want a clean, efficient platform that focuses on design from the moment you log in.
Plus, there’s something incredibly freeing about knowing you can install a version of WordPress that’s made just for you. It removes the friction and lets you dive right into what you do best—designing beautiful websites.
The Casual User Would Win Big, Too
Let’s not forget about the casual WordPress user. The ones who want to set up a blog or a small business site without getting tangled up in a mess of plugins, themes, and settings. WP BlogOS, for instance, could make it so much easier for someone who just wants to write and hit publish. Everything they need for a fast, SEO-optimized blog would be there from the start.
And think about someone who wants to set up a store. WP ShopOS would take away the stress of figuring out how to build an eCommerce site. No need to be a tech genius—just install the version built for online selling, and they’re good to go.
The Linux Parallel
If WordPress went in this direction, it could transform the platform. Just like how Linux has a version for every type of user, WordPress could offer tailored distributions that meet specific needs. Developers, designers, and even beginners would all benefit from having specialized versions of the platform that cut out the excess and deliver exactly what they need.
It’s not that far-fetched, either. We’re already seeing hints of this with different WordPress setups and starter themes becoming popular. Could a future of WordPress distros be on the horizon? It’s possible. And honestly, I think it’d make WordPress more powerful, more streamlined, and—dare I say—more fun to work with. Wouldn’t that be something?
So, what do you think? Could WordPress evolve into a platform that looks a lot like Linux? I, for one, wouldn’t mind seeing it happen.