TYPO3 v13.3 was released on September 17, 2024, after the fourth sprint release of the TYPO3 v13 series. This version marks the feature freeze before the TYPO3 v13 LTS release, planned for October. Let's explore the new Content Blocks integration and other features added to TYPO3 Core as scheduled.

Get ready to freeze the fun with TYPO3 v13.3!

The TYPO3 team has been working hard in the past few weeks to include all the promised features for the TYPO3 v13 release. Over 20 new features were added in the last eight weeks. Thanks to the collaboration between developers and contributors from around the world, TYPO3 v13.3 is now ready. The community can start testing its new features and technologies.

The focus until the long-term support release in October will be on finalizing and improving existing features, along with enhancing the user interface. For technical details, check the v13.3 Changelog.

Key Changes in TYPO3 v13.3
Content Blocks
Integrating a new system into TYPO3 Core is a careful process. Core developers ensure the new code fits in without affecting stability, while keeping TYPO3 maintainable and upgradable.

For Content Blocks integration, there were two options: adding it as a new system extension or slowly integrating key features into the Core. While some parts were added to the Core, Content Blocks will stay as a third-party extension. When TYPO3 v13 LTS releases, both the TYPO3 Core and Content Types teams will release version 1.0.0 of the Content Blocks extension, and they’ll continue to maintain it afterward.

This approach makes the TYPO3 upgrade smoother, especially for those already using Content Blocks or creating custom content types with Fluid Styled Content. Existing Content Blocks setups will work smoothly after the upgrade. For new projects starting with TYPO3 v13 LTS, the new Core features can be used to create custom content types easily.

**Web Interface for Site Sets
**Site Sets, introduced in TYPO3 v13.1, package configurations like TypoScript and TSconfig into an extension. TYPO3 v13.3 introduces a new backend module, Site Management → Settings, which allows users to review, edit, and export Site Set configurations in YAML format.

Backend User Permissions
The backend user editing section has been improved for better usability and a cleaner design, making it easier for users to navigate.

New Dashboard Widgets
TYPO3 v13.3 adds new dashboard widgets, including one that shows recently updated pages and another for System Notes. Users with the right permissions can see categories like instructions and tasks.

Fluid Version 4
Fluid, TYPO3's template engine, has been updated to version 4. The upgrade process from version 2 is smooth, but developers should check for deprecated features. Version 4 improves code quality and adds support for new features.

ExpressionBuilder
ExpressionBuilder in TYPO3 helps developers create "if-then-else" expressions that adapt to different databases, simplifying advanced queries.

TYPO3 v13.3 Feature Freeze
With TYPO3 v13.3, no new features will be added until the LTS release in October 2024. The TYPO3 team will focus on improving and testing the added features, including Content Blocks and backend user permission presets. TYPO3 developers should begin testing and updating their extensions to ensure compatibility with TYPO3 v13.

Support and Maintenance for TYPO3 v13.3
TYPO3 v13 requires PHP 8.2, which will receive security updates until December 2025. TYPO3 sprint releases (v13.0-v13.3) will be supported until the next minor version is out. TYPO3 v13 LTS (v13.4) will receive bug fixes until April 2026, with security patches until October 2027.

Download TYPO3 v13.3
Download TYPO3 v13.3 at get.typo3.org. Follow the installation guide and use Composer to set up TYPO3.

What’s Next for TYPO3?
TYPO3 v13.4 LTS will be released on October 15, 2024. Stay tuned for release parties, demos, and events celebrating the new TYPO3 version!