How to build your first Gutenberg block in WordPress

Creating a Gutenberg block is one of the most effective ways to extend the WordPress editor with custom functionality.

What you need first

• A local WordPress installation.
• Node.js and npm for build tooling.
• Basic familiarity with React and modern JavaScript.

Development flow

1. Scaffold the block plugin.
2. Define block attributes and editor controls.
3. Implement edit and save behavior.
4. Register styles for both editor and frontend rendering.

Best practice

Start with a small, single-purpose block and iterate. This keeps complexity low and makes testing easier across editor and frontend contexts.