TYPO3 v13.0 - A rising v13.0. sun on the TYPO3 horizon

TYPO3 official announced the completion of the first sprint release of the TYPO3 v13 series. Are you all excited? TYPO3 v13 is the first step for the long-term support release in October 2024. TYPO3 is now moving towards internationalization of the system. 

The first step to long-term support

With the release of TYPO3 v13.0. It also started a new chapter towards long-term support, released in October 2024.

Platform upgrades and dependencies

The first version release of TYPO3 v13.0. removes deprecated PHP classes, functions, CLI calls and many more which were outdated and just kept for legacy reasons hence new minimum system requirements were defined. This will mostly affect developers and their daily practice for a dot-zero release such as TYPO3 version 13.0.

Right-to-left support

One of the newest and appreciable features released in TYPO3 version 13.0. is the "right-to-left" compatibility of the TYPO3 backend user interface. This shows the internationalization of the TYPO3 system.

Right-to-Left Backend UI

As mentioned above, the most noticeable feature of TYPO3 v13.0. is "right-to-left" compatibility. With the help of Right-to-Left functionality TYPO3 now offers enhanced accessibility for languages like Arabic, Hebrew, Kurdish, Maldivian, Persian and Urdu. These new features impact the backend layout and will fully support content area, tables, menus, etc.

Optional Backend Modules

The Admin Tools (Install Tool) and Extension Manager, important backend modules in TYPO3, are now independent from the TYPO3 Core. With Composer-based installations, users can execute all these functions via the command line, from installing the core to configuring and maintaining third-party extensions. While these modules are pre-selected by default, they are not mandatory in Composer-based installations, offering flexibility and potential security benefits by reducing the attack surface. Despite their decoupling, users can choose to install or remove these modules based on their needs, emphasizing that Admin Tools and Extension Manager continue to play a vital role in the TYPO3 ecosystem.

Backend Entry Point Consolidated

In TYPO3 version 13.0, the requirement for a dedicated URI like "/typo3/" has been eliminated. Previously, TYPO3 maintained separate entry points for frontend and backend areas. Now, both frontend and backend requests share a common entry point. This update removes the need for a "typo3/" directory to access the backend, allowing administrators to configure a customizable backend URI according to their preferences. While the default path remains "/typo3/", this change offers flexibility in adapting the backend URI.

Search Function in the Form Framework

In TYPO3 installations with numerous form definitions, backend users frequently face challenges in quickly locating the desired form. To improve this experience, the Form Manager has been updated to include a search input field at the top of the page. This added search feature allows backend users to find forms easily.

Password Recovery Email

The TYPO3 system extension "felogin" now provides an improved password reset feature for frontend users. In TYPO3 v13.0, the email sent to registered addresses includes a new variable called "userData," containing user details. This broadens the customization options for the content of the password recovery email.

Hotkeys in TYPO3 Backend Modules

In TYPO3 version 13, developers are enabled to register personalized keyboard shortcuts in the backend. This functionality is possible by introducing the hotkeys.js JavaScript module. With this feature, backend users can easily access the LiveSearch by pressing Ctrl/Cmd + K or save the currently opened document using Ctrl/Cmd + S. For more information, refer to the TYPO3 documentation.

Technical: New minimum system requirements

TYPO3 version 13.0 introduces updated minimum system requirements to facilitate upcoming enhancements in the sprint releases and modern, long-term support packages. The new system requirements include PHP version 8.2, ensuring security updates until December 2025, and supporting Symfony version 7, which will be maintained until November 2028. Additionally, plans include an upgrade to Doctrine, the database abstraction layer, with the upcoming release of Doctrine DBAL v4. This update also affects the supported database engines, with TYPO3 v13.x accommodating MySQL 8.0.17 or higher, MariaDB 10.4.3 or higher, PostgreSQL 10.0 or higher, and SQLite 3.8.3 or higher. Developers can find details about breaking changes in Doctrine DBAL v4 in the upgrade notes.

All the developers, integrators and the entire TYPO3 community are exicted as this release and all upcoming releases brings new possibilities, innovation and enhancements. The upcoming milestone is TYPO3 version 13.1, scheduled for release in 12 weeks on April 23, 2024, as part of the planned roadmap for TYPO3 v13. TYPO3 v13 LTS will be the latest and final version of TYPO3 v13 expected in the year end of 2024.

Release of TYPO3 v13.0 is not just an update but a foremost step towards the best, secured and user-friendly CMS "TYPO3". There are unlimited new opportunities and challenges for TYPO3 developers, TYPO3 agencies and all who integrate with TYPO3. Comment down your best feature in this release of TYPO3 v13.0. 

Note: Refer TYPO3 v13.0—The Ocean's Calling for full TYPO3 Documentation.