Jason Bahl (general developer of WPGraphQL) recently published an article on his website announcing that the WordPress plugin WPGraphQL has now become an official WordPress plugin. Additionally, he shared that he is transitioning to Automattic and joining the WordPress team. Below is a detailed overview of the article:
Reflecting on Time at WP Engine
Bahl expresses gratitude for his time at WP Engine, highlighting numerous achievements such as publishing over 100 releases of WPGraphQL, re-architecting WPGraphQL for ACF, introducing WPGraphQL Smart Cache, and assisting countless users in deploying decoupled sites powered by WPGraphQL. He also acknowledges the friendships formed during his tenure and expresses hope for continued collaboration in the open-source ecosystem.
However, Bahl notes challenges in balancing open-source contributions with internal company priorities. While WP Engine treated him well personally, the organization’s focus on open-source projects declined over time. His time was increasingly reallocated away from WPGraphQL and community projects as internal initiatives took precedence. He suggests that there is a need for a broader conversation about how companies can better support open-source communities to ensure long-term success.
Why Automattic? Why Now?
Bahl explains his decision to join Automattic, citing the company’s strong track record as a steward of open-source projects. He believes that Automattic is the perfect home for WPGraphQL, as it will remain free and open-source while gaining more visibility and community contributions. The move is expected to unlock new opportunities for collaboration, growth, and innovation within the decoupled WordPress ecosystem.
On Matt Mullenweg’s Recent Actions
Addressing potential assumptions, Bahl clarifies that joining Automattic does not imply full endorsement of every action taken by Matt Mullenweg. He has openly disagreed with some of Mullenweg’s recent decisions, such as the timing and content of his speech at WordCamp US and the blocking of WP Engine customers from WordPress.org without adequate notice. Bahl acknowledges that leadership often involves making uncomfortable choices and believes that bold moves are sometimes necessary to ensure the long-term future of WordPress.
WPGraphQL Becomes a Canonical WordPress Community Plugin
Bahl announces that WPGraphQL will become a canonical WordPress community plugin, similar to WP-CLI, Gutenberg, or the WP REST API before it was merged into core. He anticipates significant support from Automattic and the wider community, which will bring tangible benefits to users, hosts, and developers building decoupled WordPress experiences. Bahl expresses excitement about continuing to build tools and features that help teams succeed with modern web development using WordPress and WPGraphQL.
In conclusion, Bahl’s move to Automattic and the transition of WPGraphQL into a canonical plugin represent a significant step forward for the project and the broader WordPress community. Bahl remains committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment, aiming to achieve great things for the entire ecosystem.
