Umbraco 13 – this long-term supported version introduces some interesting features, which we can describe it in this article.
.NET 8 and C# 12
.NET 8 has released on November 14. It includes improvements on the garbage collector to adjust the memory limit on the fly which will open up better and more flexible scaling which again can be turned into better performance and more sustainable hosting. There are also improvements to Serialization, JSON, and a whole lot more – including, of course, all the C# 12 features like Primary Constructors, Using Declarations, Field Interpolation in String Literals, and Lambda Improvements.
A Long-Term Supported Version
| Version | Release date | Release Type | Support phase | Security phase | End-of-Life |
| Umbraco 13 | December 14, 2023 | LTS | May 30, 2024 | December 14, 2025 | December 14, 2026 |
Minimal Hosting Model
Discussing .NET, C#, and Microsoft’s innovations, the Minimal Hosting Model has been recently adopted, initially introduced by Microsoft in .NET 6. This model consolidates the previously separate program.cs and startup.cs into one unified program.cs file, streamlining the application launch process. Importantly, this model has become the standard for all Microsoft tutorials and examples, leading to its implementation in Umbraco. The implementation is designed to be backward compatible, ensuring a smooth transition for project upgrades. The previous hosting model will be considered outdated moving forward. Users are encouraged to report any issues encountered.
Webhooks
In line with the headless initiative, Webhooks have been introduced to notify third-party systems about activities such as publishing and unpublishing in the Umbraco CMS. A new user interface allows the input of desired call URLs, including possible custom headers, and the selection of specific events to trigger these calls. Internally, the system manages execution, queuing, retrying, and logging of these webhooks. Additionally, there is an option to expand these capabilities by creating custom webhooks. This feature is consistent with what users might already be familiar with from Heartcore.
Nested field limiting and nested field expansion
Inspired by the Umbraco Commerce Storefront API, with Umbraco 13, you get nested field limiting and nested field expansion for the Content Delivery API.
This is an upgrade to the headless Content Delivery API, where you’ll find new functionality, like the option to limit and expand properties on multiple levels.
Breaking changes in the Media Delivery API
The Media Delivery API was initially launched in version 12.2, but with certain limitations due to the inability to implement breaking changes in a minor release. These issues have been addressed in version 13. The updates involve converting several classes to internal status while introducing a new public interface, along with modifications in return values. For those looking to update an existing solution, detailed information is available for reference.
Dynamic Root
Several features introduced in version 13 are foundational for upcoming functionalities. An example is the Dynamic Root for the Multinode Treepicker, which serves as an alternative to XPath expressions. This new method is designed to pave the way for content that is lazy loaded, with the goal of enhancing caching efficiency and memory management. This improvement is particularly beneficial for sites with extensive content, leading to better performance. Additionally, this change simplifies the process of setting up a relative path for the Multinode Treepicker.
Blocks in the Rich Text Editor
In the Release Candidate, there’s an introduction of Blocks functionality within the Rich Text Editor. This development originated from the phasing out of macros and the need for alternatives in particular scenarios previously lacking suitable options. As further enhancements to block functionality are on the horizon, including the incorporation of global blocks as reusable content as outlined in the referenced RFC, the capability to display blocks in the Rich Text Editor is anticipated to add general value as well.
New Login Screen
Many are aware that there is significant work underway on the New Backoffice, known as Bellissima, where fresh frontend technologies are being integrated. This includes the Umbraco UI Library and an increased use of plain TypeScript with some elements of Lit. While most of this new user interface is linked to a new management API, an opportunity has been taken to incorporate this new technology into a redesigned Login Screen. This update not only brings technological advancements but also a fresh design, which is hoped to be well-received.
Allow Concurrent Logins
To prevent users from inadvertently logging in multiple times and to adhere to security-by-design principles, the default settings for ‘Allow Concurrent Logins‘ have been modified. Now, the default configuration is set to false, enhancing security measures and user experience.
What’s happened since Umbraco 10 LTS?
With an upgrade to Umbraco 13 LTS, it is not just the specific version 13 features you’ll get access to, but also all the great new features introduced in 10, 11, and 12.
If you haven’t upgraded since the last LTS version, Umbraco 10, here are even more great features and improvements to look forward to, including:
- Headless capabilities in the core: With Umbraco 13, you now have a full suite of built-in headless features at your fingertips: Content Delivery API, Media Delivery API, Preview, and Webhooks. There’s no need for extra installations or the time-consuming task of developing your headless API. Toggle the switch, and you’re ready to roll.
- Tiny MCE: Updated to the latest version of TinyMCE with all the well-known functionalities from the leading Rich Text Editor on the market. Also, with version 6 of Tiny MCE, you can now integrate with premium plugins from Tiny.
- Maintenance page: With a new fully customizable maintenance page, you’ll have a simple way to nicely show if your site is e.g. under maintenance. You can also choose to continue showing your website while Umbraco is in upgrade mode.
- EF Core support: Entity Framework Core is now available within Umbraco and ready to be used in your extensions or custom integrations. This way, you’ll be able to work with the tooling you know best while benefitting from working within Umbraco scopes/transactions.
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