Ankit K Gupta
Core, Community, Test
“From measuring pixels with a ruler to leading testing for WordPress 6.7, my journey across 20+ releases and contributions to multiple teams reflects the power of passion, perseverance, and open-source community.”
My WordPress Journey
From Ruler Testing to WordPress Test Lead: A Journey of Passion, Persistence & Community
My WordPress journey began most unexpectedly—not with code, but with a dev tool ruler. In my early days as a tester, I often used a dev tool to measure spacing between UI elements, obsessed with achieving perfect margins and padding. It was an unusual beginning, but that humble ruler symbolised something powerful: a commitment to excellence, precision, and improving user experience, no matter how small the detail.
What started as curiosity soon grew into purpose. I discovered WordPress, and it became the perfect canvas to apply my passion for quality. I began contributing during the WP 4.X release cycle, learning step by step how a global community collaborates to build open-source software that empowers millions worldwide. From contributing to my first release in WP 4.0 “Benny” to participating in ten consecutive releases through 4.9 “Tipton,” every milestone deepened my belief in community-driven innovation. I later continued contributing consecutively through the WP 6.X series, from WP 6.0 to 6.8, completing another ten releases—a journey that shaped not only my skills but also my identity in the community.
My contributions also opened doors to incredible career opportunities. Each role strengthened my technical leadership and deepened my commitment to giving back to open source.
Along the way, I expanded my contributions beyond Core, participating in BuddyPress, bbPress, Meta, Polyglots, and the Testing team, each helping me grow personally and professionally. In 2023–2024, I served as a Test Team Representative, further supporting contributors and testing initiatives.
With the release of WP 6.7, I stepped into the role of Test Lead and Noteworthy Contributor, a milestone that felt like a full-circle moment. From measuring margins with a ruler to leading quality efforts for a global platform used by millions, this journey has been transformative and deeply meaningful.
As Test Lead, my focus has been on strengthening collaboration, improving testing workflows, and supporting contributors who share the same passion for making WordPress better. At its core, WordPress is not just software; it is a community of people united by creativity, curiosity, and a shared desire to elevate the open web together.
Community Moments
Celebrating the connections and memories we’ve built together
Join Contributor Day and Shape the Future of WordPress together
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