So here’s the big news – Divi 5 is not just another update, it’s a major architectural rebuild that promises to redefine the way we create websites!

Early 2024 saw the completion of two release stages – Developer Alpha and Developer Beta. Now, the third of five phases (Public Alpha) has been released to a broader audience for testing. This phase has allowed for a thorough performance-focused overhaul, resulting in a complete, performance-focused rebuild.

Core changes in Divi 5 include the elimination of shortcodes, a new API foundation, and a commitment to optimizing page speed, setting the stage for a hugely vibrant and accessible Divi experience. Given what we know so far, it’s no surprise that many of those who have previously left the theme behind are contemplating a return on the back of Divi 5.

While the Public Alpha phase offers a glimpse into these transformative improvements, it’s not yet suitable for production sites, so many devs and admins out there inevitably have a lot of questions to ask. From Divi 5’s architectural changes, migration considerations, and compatibility implications for third-party plugins, we have all the answers you’re looking for.

Short on time right now? Here’s a quick TL;DR on everything we’ll address in this guide:

• Divi 5 represents a fundamental overhaul of the visual builder, focusing on speed and efficiency rather than new features.
• New architecture delivers twice the speed of Divi 4 in front-end server rendering, with improved handling of complex designs and better scalability.
• The platform eliminates shortcodes in favor of a modern storage format compatible with the WordPress block editor.
• The launch follows a 5-phase rollout plan, starting with developer testing and progressing through public alpha and beta stages before the final release.

When Can I Use Divi 5? A Breakdown of the Different Phases

As we’ve mentioned, Divi 5 is currently in the Public Alpha phase, which allows users to test its core functionality while the development team continues to refine the platform. 

The official release has been structured in five phases:

• Developer Alpha (complete): This initial phase focused on the API’s early release, enabling developers to assess core architectural changes and plan for future extensions.
• Developer Beta (complete): In this phase, the finalized API implementation allowed developers to update their extensions and access comprehensive documentation.
• Public Alpha (current): Available through the Members Area, this phase features essential builder functionality but lacks certain modules. It also has known stability issues, making it fine for testing, but not for production sites. You can track current development progress through the official roadmap.

• Public Beta (next): This phase will aim for full feature parity with Divi 4, concentrating on stability and bug fixes.
• Official release: The final version will be deployed through WordPress dashboard updates.

For ongoing updates, users can track progress via monthly reports on the Elegant Themes blog.

Should I be Worried When Divi 5 Comes Out?

We’d definitely recommend not worrying! Divi 5 is going to be a game-changer in terms of adding functionality to your builds – you’ll lose nothing, but gain a huge new toolkit. Here are some important technical aspects to be aware of.

For starters, users can feel reassured by Divi 5’s backward compatibility system, designed to ensure site stability during migration. This compatibility layer effectively handles legacy Divi 4 modules, allowing them to function while users transition to the new architecture. An automated detection system identifies and preserves existing layouts, templates, and custom code, ensuring that your site’s design remains intact, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting to sleep at night.

What’s more, the Divi 5 Migrator interface offers a straightforward rollback process, enabling users to revert to Divi 4 if needed, while preserving content and settings. Importantly, this migration system maintains theme customizer settings, global elements, and module configurations without requiring manual intervention, so you’ll gain timesaving elements too.

While some legacy modules may not benefit from Divi 5’s improved performance, the backward compatibility mode serves as a temporary bridge until all modules are fully updated. These features provide a smooth transition for users concerned about upgrading their sites.

What Changes with the Release of Divi 5? 

As a general overview, Divi 5 introduces transformative changes intended to boost the user experience and overall performance of the platform. From a complete architectural overhaul to greater editing capabilities, this update will enable users to create faster, more dynamic websites with ease. Here’s a closer look at the main changes:

Architecture Overhaul

The architecture of Divi 5 has undergone a comprehensive redesign, delivering massive gains in speed, performance, and scalability. A notable improvement is the 2x speed enhancement in front-end server rendering compared to Divi 4 – a real boost to the user experience. 

This new architecture is engineered to maintain high performance even with complex layouts and multiple modules, ensuring that websites remain responsive and efficient. Furthermore, efficiency improvements in server-side processing and asset loading contribute to faster load times and smoother interactions. 

By optimizing how assets are handled and processed, Divi 5 allows developers to create intricate designs without sacrificing site performance. These advancements make it a powerful tool for modern web development, enabling users to build sophisticated websites that perform exceptionally well across various devices.

Divi 5 API

The introduction of an API-first approach in Divi 5 unlocks previously unattainable features for developers. This new API enables developers to build modules more efficiently than before, allowing for a wide range of innovative features within the Divi builder. 

With the API, users can create advanced dynamic content capabilities that improve the customization options available for their websites. Such flexibility streamlines the development process and encourages creativity within the Divi community, as developers can now integrate their own functionalities into the builder.

Here are some forthcoming enhancements developers will enjoy through Divi 5:

• Custom fields integration: Developers can easily pull dynamic content into designs, allowing for more personalized user experiences.
• Modular architecture: The new modular structure enables developers to customize components without altering the entire theme, promoting tailored solutions and reducing code redundancy.
• Advanced dynamic content capabilities: Developers will be able to build custom workflows that respond to user interactions or external data sources, improving interactivity.
• Integration with third-party services: The API will facilitate connections with external services, enabling complex applications that use data from multiple sources.
• Enhanced developer tools: Access to the same tools used by Elegant Themes will foster innovation and collaboration among developers, simplifying the development process.

For those interested in technical specifications, comprehensive developer documentation is available, providing detailed guidance on utilizing the new API effectively. This shift in focus enables developers to push the boundaries of what’s possible with Divi, promoting an environment of innovation and collaboration. Given the future possibilities, we’re super excited to experiment with the new API when Divi 5 gets its official release.

Interface Changes

Divi 5 features a completely revamped interface designed for usability and efficiency. The new customizable workspace includes dockable panels that allow users to arrange their tools according to their preferences, facilitating a more streamlined workflow. A newly introduced layers panel improves navigation by making it easier to manage complex layouts and elements within a design. 

Furthermore, streamlined settings controls simplify adjustments, reducing unnecessary steps when modifying design elements. These improvements make the interface more intuitive and allow users to focus on creativity without being bogged down by cumbersome navigation. 

For detailed guidance on using these new features effectively, users can refer to the official interface documentation. 

Feature Swap

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Divi 5 is the Feature Swap initiative. This strategic move aims to replace less popular or redundant features – like Quick Actions – from Divi 4 with requested functionalities that cater to user needs.

A prioritized user experience? Check. The feature swap will include:

• Flexbox grids: A modern layout system that allows for more responsive and flexible designs.
• Customizable breakpoints: Users can tailor their design to look perfect on any device, enhancing overall accessibility.
• Nested rows: This feature enables more complex layouts within sections, providing greater design flexibility.
• Improved accessibility: Ensuring that websites built with Divi are usable by everyone, including those with disabilities.

By executing this feature swap, Elegant Themes will accelerate the development process and not extend Divi 5’s roadmap unnecessarily. Users will also receive a more functional product upon launch, with substantial improvements in design capabilities and a more intuitive interface. 

Transition from Shortcodes

One of the most notable updates in Divi 5 is the shift away from relying on shortcodes, moving towards a more modern storage format. Historically, shortcodes have presented challenges for users, often affecting site speed and introducing bugs that complicate website management.

However, there’s been some confusion around this change. While Divi 5 will no longer be built on shortcodes as its foundation, it’s important to clarify that shortcodes from other plugins will continue to function. This means that shortcodes from popular tools like form plugins, WooCommerce, and our own Divi Library Shortcodes plugin will still work perfectly within Divi 5. 

“Shortcodes are great, but are no longer the best option for the foundation of a page builder like Divi. Divi 5’s shift to a modern storage format instead of shortcodes, will make Divi faster to work with, and faster to load on the front end, plus it will future-proof it for years to come.”

– Jennifer Rodriguez, Lead Developer at Divi Life

The new storage format replaces shortcodes with a block-based approach that aligns with the future direction of WordPress. This system mimics native WordPress blocks, has better cross-compatibility with Gutenberg, and improves communication between the two. The migration process for existing websites will be simple – Divi 5 automatically converts old shortcodes to the new format upon upgrade. 

This new format improves loading times and simplifies the building process by reducing potential errors associated with shortcode usage. By adopting this approach, Divi 5 ensures a more reliable and efficient building experience for users. Imagine the freedom of concentrating on your design without the hassle of dealing with technical shortcode issues!

Responsive Editing

Divi 5 introduces an innovative direct device-specific editing system, transforming how users approach responsive design. In Divi 4, device icons were used primarily for previews, requiring users to open responsive tabs for each device type to make specific changes. With Divi 5, these responsive tabs have been eliminated – now all changes made for a particular device are instantly applied across that device type. 

These process improvements simplify editing and improve efficiency by allowing designers to see real-time adjustments as they work. Responsive breakpoints are managed within this system, ensuring that designs adapt perfectly across various screen sizes. 

Furthermore, automated responsive adjustments eliminate repetitive styling tasks, enabling users to create consistent designs. This advancement improves workflow efficiency while maintaining high-quality design standards across all devices.

Will Divi Life Plugins be Compatible with Divi 5?

In three words – yes, of course! Rest assured, our suite of Divi extensions at Divi Life will be fully compatible with Divi 5. Since 2016, we’ve dedicated ourselves to helping web designers create stunning websites, consistently adapting our products to align with Divi updates. We believe Divi 5 can reshape the landscape of website design, and we’re really excited to support users in transitioning, while continuing to enjoy our creative extensions.

If you haven’t explored our offerings yet, consider our All Access Pass, which provides access to our complete suite of tools, plugins, layouts, and themes designed to empower your design journey for years to come. Check out our All Access Pass today and keep in touch with Divi Life for further updates on Divi 5 and more!