Within the dying embers of 2025, the first group behind WordPress launched a brand new factor referred to as Telex.
This AI-powered device enables you to describe any block in your mom tongue, and see it coded from scratch earlier than your eyes.
We all know what you’re considering… utilizing AI to construct web sites shouldn’t be new. We even have our personal device for DreamHost clients!
However many individuals say Telex represents an enormous leap ahead. This AI coder can create customized performance — the sort that may usually require a plugin or the assistance of an skilled developer.
Sounds ah-maze-ing. However does Telex reside as much as the hype? We needed to take it for a take a look at drive ourselves.
What Is WordPress Telex?
Within the phrases of Automattic (one of many firms behind WordPress):
“Telex is an experimental device from the Automattic AI group that turns natural-language prompts into working WordPress blocks. You merely describe what you need, and Telex generates the block.”
Telex runs on the WordPress Playground: a platform that allows you to fiddle with WordPress with out internet hosting.
It’s presently free to make use of with no limits, and you may obtain something you make to put in by yourself self-hosted web site.
How Does WordPress Telex Work?
Like most AI coding instruments, Telex makes use of a big language mannequin (LLM) to interpret your textual content directions. Then, it really works out a plan for constructing the block, earlier than lastly writing the mandatory code.
Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the app in motion.
1. Constructing Your Immediate
The workflow is fairly easy. You’ve got a textual content field for prompts, and the choice so as to add photos (as much as 5) as an example your request.
After you start writing your immediate, the “Improve Immediate” button seems; this makes use of AI to flesh out your unique immediate.
🤓Nerd word: The immediate enhancer doesn’t appear to work if you have already got a picture hooked up to your immediate. We advocate utilizing this function earlier than including visuals.
2. Telex Writes the Code
When you set Telex into motion, you possibly can watch the AI “considering” within the terminal on the backside of the display. It’s fairly endearing, actually.
Telex then begins writing code like a hackathon contestant who’s had an excessive amount of espresso. You often get the ultimate consequence inside two minutes.
3. Testing and Refining
As soon as the primary construct is full, you possibly can take a look at an actual, working model of your creation within the block editor. This space additionally lets you see a preview of the entrance finish, and your admin space.
Not fairly proper? You possibly can both ask Telex for revisions or change to the “Code” tab to make the modifications your self.
All through testing, we discovered the revisions a bit hit-and-miss. Nonetheless, persistence generally pays off — if the primary edit doesn’t work, strive, strive, strive once more.
Fingers-on With Telex: Constructing 5 Customized Blocks From Scratch
There’s solely a lot you possibly can study from a product launch weblog. So, we determined to place Telex by way of its paces ourselves.
Is it legit or simply one other breath within the AI hype bubble? Let’s discover out.
Venture 1: Animated Soccer Countdown Timer
Who loves soccer? For true followers, the following gameday can’t come round quickly sufficient. If solely there have been a way of monitoring the time till kick-off…
Enter the soccer countdown timer.
The goal of this block challenge was to create a enjoyable, animated clock that may show the times, hours, and minutes till the following fixture. (Excellent for a fan weblog or the homepage of your flag soccer group…)
Our preliminary immediate was fairly easy:
Create a block that shows an animated countdown timer to a future date, set through the block settings. The timer ought to have days, hours, and minutes. Every time the minutes change, a soccer graphic ought to “fly” in from the left, bounce on the minutes counter, and proceed off to the appropriate, in a practical ball flight.
We used the Improve Immediate choice so as to add a little bit extra element, after which set Telex into motion. The device took round one minute to spin up the brand new block.
The primary cross was respectable. Telex created a working countdown timer, with the block choices we requested. It even threw in a bonus setting — coloration decisions for the timer.
On the draw back, Telex didn’t fairly get the animation we wished. Somewhat than a soccer flying in each minute to vary the timer, we received a relentless bouncing ball on the clock. Okay, however not precisely a landing.
We tried a number of totally different revision prompts to repair the problem. None of them labored absolutely. However at the very least we had a working timer.
- Immediate enhancement: C+
- First cross: B-
- Revisions: C-
General grade: C+
Venture 2: Smartphone Measurement Comparability Instrument
Discover how smartphones appear to maintain getting greater?
To make the duty of discovering a pocketable system a little bit simpler, we thought it could be helpful to create a dimension comparability device — simply so you possibly can see how totally different telephones measure up.
Right here’s the immediate we began with:
Make a block that enables customers to see a side-by-side comparability of the dimensions of two smartphones. The block ought to show two phone-shaped silhouettes on either side: one from the entrance perspective, and one from the facet view.
Every silhouette ought to be displayed on the identical ratio to actual life based mostly on the scale given within the block settings. The block settings ought to embody packing containers for peak and width dimensions in millimeters, with the choice to vary to inches because the measurement.
Already a little bit of element in there, as you possibly can see (we tried to repeat the fashion of the instance immediate within the Telex launch weblog).
However the “Improve Immediate” function prolonged the directions to 3 paragraphs, itemizing each the precise controls wanted and the technical particulars (“Render the identical scaled silhouettes in a responsive container that maintains correct ratios throughout gadgets”).
Prime marks right here.
With a picture hooked up exhibiting an analogous function on an present web site, we set Telex to work. This construct took a little bit longer — nearer to 2 minutes — however the output was actually good.
We received precisely the structure and block choices we have been in search of. On the first try, we had a block that you can publish.
Simply to stretch Telex a little bit, we requested the AI so as to add coloration choices and take away the size from the block. It dealt with these revisions completely. Good work, Telex.
- Immediate enhancement: A+
- First cross: A-
- Revisions: A+
General grade: A+
Venture 3: Dynamic Pricing Calculator
Let’s strive one thing a little bit extra critical now. If you happen to run a enterprise, you may wish to permit clients to see what they’ll pay based mostly on their wants.
That is what a dynamic pricing calculator makes attainable: customers merely plug of their decisions, and the block ought to spit out a worth.
Right here’s our beginning immediate for the calculator:
I run a web site design enterprise and desire a pricing calculator block. The customer selects choices and sees the worth replace in actual time. Choices can be: variety of pages (dropdown: 1–5, 6–10, 11–20), whether or not they want e-commerce (sure provides $500), whether or not they want search engine optimization setup (sure provides $300), and internet hosting plan (month-to-month $29 or yearly $299). Present the overall on the backside and have a “Request Quote” button that doesn’t really submit something, simply exhibits a message saying we’ll be in contact.
That’s a fairly complete immediate, if we do say so ourselves. Telex agreed; it solely made minor modifications after we enhanced the immediate.
The output was spot on. Not tremendous fairly, however neat and absolutely useful. We notably appreciated that Telex added sliders to the block choices, making it straightforward to tweak the worth of particular person line gadgets.
We requested for 2 minor revisions: make the choice labels selectable, and alter the primary coloration scheme to purple. And each changes have been accomplished completely inside 30 seconds.
All spherical, very spectacular stuff.
- Immediate enhancement: C+
- First cross: A+
- Revisions: A+
General grade: A+
Venture 4: Drag-and-Drop Film Rankings
If you wish to join with a cinephile, simply ask them to rank a group of films. On the spot dialog starter.
It really works on-line, too. That’s why most film bloggers recurrently share polls. Looks like a superb challenge for testing Telex, no?
We used a really “actual world” immediate this time. One thing that the typical particular person may write, slightly than the work of an AI nerd:
Construct a block that lets guests rank a listing of things by dragging them into order. For instance, I’d record 5 motion pictures and ask individuals to rank them from favourite to least favourite. Once they’re completed rating, there ought to be a submit button, and it ought to present a thanks message. Within the editor, I wish to sort within the gadgets for the record and add a title/query on the high.
Telex did an amazing job of enhancing these directions into one thing extra concrete and particular. The completed immediate detailed precisely how the block ought to work, together with descriptions of all of the frontend parts.
As soon as once more, Telex got here up with the products. The preliminary output is precisely what we had in thoughts, with editable labels, good spacing between the record gadgets, and a customized affirmation message.
In fact, customers will in all probability wish to understand how different individuals have voted. So, we requested Telex for a revision:
When customers submit the shape, show the most typical rankings from all submissions.
This clearly requires some strategy to retailer submissions. Telex quickly figured this out, updating each the frontend and backend.
The issue? Telex didn’t fairly get the server-side code proper. In consequence, the block may observe the outcomes of every consumer, however didn’t maintain an total tally.
Simply to stretch Telex a little bit additional, we requested for another addition — a brand new part to the admin space, with a dashboard for analyzing incoming votes. However the AI confirmed our suspicions: Telex can’t really tinker with something outdoors one particular block.
When you may add this function manually on high of the block, it is perhaps simpler to simply seize a ready-made plugin!
- Immediate enhancement: A-
- First cross: A+
- Revisions: B-
General grade: A-
Venture 5: Stay Cryptocurrency Worth Tracker
Proper, sufficient with the straightforward stuff. To actually take a look at the bounds of Telex, we determined it was time to strive one thing really formidable: a cryptocurrency worth tracker, powered by reside market knowledge.
To make this attainable, we clearly wanted an information supply. We selected to work with the CoinMarketCap API, as a result of it presents a beneficiant free plan.
We then prompted Telex. Wouldn’t it be capable to construct round a third-party API? Our beginning directions:
Construct a block that exhibits the present worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum. It ought to replace robotically each jiffy and present whether or not the worth has gone up or down because the final replace (perhaps a inexperienced or purple arrow). I’d like to have the ability to select which cryptocurrencies to show within the block settings. I can be utilizing an API key from CoinMarketCap, so embody a block subject for this key.
As you possibly can see, we left Telex to determine the main points. The “Improve Immediate” function actually impressed us right here: the device expanded our immediate to 3 paragraphs, including some bonus performance and punctiliously outlining the frontend.
Sadly, Telex couldn’t work out the API. We tried a number of rounds of debugging, however couldn’t get previous the errors. We even tried switching to a unique API supplier — however no luck.
The one strategy to rescue this challenge can be to go in and repair the code your self. Not a serious problem, but it surely exhibits the AI isn’t excellent.
- Immediate enhancement: B+
- First cross: C-
- Revisions: F
General grade: D+
The Verdict: How Does Telex Carry out within the Actual World?
Trying again on our 5 tasks, it’s clear that Telex is genuinely helpful for anybody who owns, maintains, or builds web sites.
Whereas the outputs fluctuate in high quality, Telex can produce distinctive blocks from comparatively easy directions. You don’t must be an skilled WordPress developer to create customized blocks with this device. And it may well construct these blocks quicker than any human.
General, we have been actually impressed with Telex — it’s an amazing addition to the WordPress toolbox, and it’ll in all probability enhance over time.
That stated, we don’t assume Telex is kind of able to take over net growth simply but.
Why Telex Can’t Change Plugins (But)
For most straightforward tasks, Telex works completely. However as you ramp up the complexity, issues get a little bit shaky.
As our exams revealed, Telex doesn’t all the time provide you with the products. It couldn’t fairly work out the soccer animation, and pulling API knowledge from an outdoor supply proved a step too far. Advanced logic is one other weak spot.
Telex additionally tends to stay to tried-and-tested block layouts, and making tremendous changes to the design may be onerous work.
Then, there’s safety to think about. Whereas most plugin builders run exams on their code, Telex doesn’t care. If the block works, that’s job completed.
Most essential of all, there are issues Telex isn’t allowed to do:
- You possibly can’t add any new sections to your admin space.
- You possibly can’t add recordsdata apart from photos to help the AI.
- You possibly can’t construct a block inside a block (though you possibly can join two separate blocks).
In abstract: Telex doesn’t change skilled WordPress builders — it’s not even shut, but.
So, When Ought to You Use Telex?
Proper now, we expect that Telex fills the hole between code snippets and highly effective plugins.
The AI lets you transcend ready-made templates, so you possibly can add customized performance and design choices — however there are technical limitations.
Take Venture 1 (the countdown timer) for example. The simplest manner so as to add a countdown to your web site is by discovering a ready-made template, and copy-pasting the code. Nonetheless, you won’t get a lot flexibility by way of design or performance.
With Telex, you possibly can insert your individual animation, add coloration choices, and resolve what occurs when the counter reaches zero. It’s nonetheless fast and straightforward, however you could have far more management.
However what if you happen to wished to add a whole season schedule through a WordPress admin web page and pull in reside scores on gameday? Nicely then, you’re in all probability higher off utilizing a purpose-built plugin or writing customized code.
| Copy-Paste Code | Telex | Full Plugin/Customized Code |
| Fast and straightforward, however what you see is what you get. | Fast and versatile, with customized styling and settings you management. | Highly effective options, however extra to study and handle. |
Finally, we advocate attempting Telex for your self. We are able to’t wait to see what you construct with this spectacular new AI device!
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WordPress Telex FAQs
Nonetheless inquisitive about WordPress’ new AI device? Listed below are the solutions you’re in search of!
Do it’s worthwhile to be a developer to make use of WordPress Telex?
No, anybody can construct blocks with this device. The one caveat: it’s a good suggestion to overview and debug the code earlier than placing Telex blocks on an essential web site. So, technical abilities are helpful in that sense.
Can you employ WordPress Telex offline?
Not in the intervening time. It’s solely out there through the WordPress Playground. You’ll additionally want a WordPress.com account to entry the device.
Can you employ Telex-Made blocks on manufacturing web sites?
Sure, however with warning. WordPress stresses that Telex is an experimental device and that it’d produce utter nonsense on occasion. So, make certain to test the code earlier than you go reside.
Which AI fashions does WordPress Telex use?
We don’t know precisely which AI applied sciences Telex makes use of. However the CEO of Automattic, Matt Mullenweg, has stated that the challenge was impressed by V0 and Lovable: two AI platforms that assist you to construct apps by way of prompts.
These related apps use a mixture of superior fashions to interpret prompts and write code. Telex in all probability does one thing related.
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