WordPress revealed an early version of an AI tool called Telex at WordCamp US. The company said the tool is experimental. CEO Matt Mullenweg demonstrated how developers can use a text prompt to make a Gutenberg block. The demo showed the tool producing a small animated marketing block.
How Telex works
Telex runs on a web site that requires a WordPress login. A user types what they want the block to do and then runs the prompt. The tool returns a downloadable zip file that contains code styling and assets. That zip can be installed as a plugin on a WordPress site or in the WordPress Playground test environment. The process aims to let people make blocks without manual coding work.
The tool is aimed at block creation rather than full application building. Automattic framed Telex as a focused assistant for WordPress tasks. The company compared it to other prompt based tools that build software but said it will be specific to the WordPress platform and its block system.
What to expect
Telex is experimental and it will change as developers try it. Early tests show it can generate simple interactive elements in a minute or two. People who run WordPress sites should treat the output as a starting point. Developers will need to review and test the generated code for security accessibility and cross browser behavior before using it on a live site.
Automattic said the work on Telex sits alongside other experiments shown at WordCamp. The company also continues to work on core WordPress features and on community programs. Legal and business matters that Automattic faces were not a focus of the Telex demo but the CEO did note ongoing company discussions.
A short close
Telex points to a future where simple prompts can speed routine web tasks. The product is not final and should thus not be regarded as a substitute for a proper development process. Currently, it serves as an experimental means for designers and developers to quickly prototype and test their work. Please watch for exciting updates from Automattic, and ensure you try Telex in a safe testing environment before applying anything it produces to a live site.