Drupal Planet

Keeping your website looking consistent across all devices, browsers, and screen sizes is no easy task. 

Add in CMS updates, module changes, and third-party integrations, and the potential for visual issues multiplies quickly. Fortunately, there’s a solution: visual regression testing.

Keeping your website looking consistent across all devices, browsers, and screen sizes is no easy task. 

Add in CMS updates, module changes, and third-party integrations, and the potential for visual issues multiplies quickly. Fortunately, there’s a solution: visual regression testing.

In this episode, John Picozzi and Jason Pamental explore the connections fostered by using Drupal across different geographies, the evolution of conferences, and how design systems are being utilized at Chewy. We also delve into the application of AI in e-commerce and coding, and discuss the practicalities of maintaining governance in large organizations. Join us for an engaging discussion filled with personal anecdotes, professional insights, and future prospects.

For show notes visit: https://www.talkingDrupal.com/503

John Picozzi is the Solutions Architect at EPAM Systems, where he helps organizations implement scalable and sustainable digital solutions—most often using Drupal. With over a decade of experience in web development, John has become a trusted voice in the Drupal community for his commitment to open source, user-centered design, and thoughtful architecture. John is a contributor to Drupal and an active member of the community as the organizer of the Drupal Providence Meetup and New England Drupal Camp. He’s also well known as a co-host of the Talking Drupal podcast, a weekly show focused on all things Drupal, where he interviews community members and shares insights on development, strategy, and community engagement. Outside of podcasting and coding, John frequently speaks at DrupalCamps and conferences across the U.S., offering sessions that span technical deep dives to community and career development topics. You can find more about his work and speaking engagements at picozzi.com, or follow him on Drupal.org

Jason Pamental is a designer, strategist, and technologist specializing in typography, variable fonts, and digital design systems. He is currently Principal Designer at Chewy, where he leads their design system efforts and helps guide their mobile app architecture and strategy. With over 30 years of experience, Jason has worked with organizations such as Adobe, ESPN, Fidelity, and the State of Rhode Island to shape impactful digital experiences. He’s a globally recognized expert in web typography and the author of Responsive Typography. His work has helped define how variable fonts are used on the web today. Jason is a frequent speaker at conferences like Beyond Tellerrand, An Event Apart, and SmashingConf, and he shares his knowledge through writing, teaching, and open source contributions. His articles, presentations, and resources can be found at rwt.io — short for Responsive Web Typography — and many of his talks, videos, and associated resources are available on https://noti.st/jpamental An active supporter of the open web and the Drupal community, Jason is committed to bridging the gap between design and development. Outside of work, he enjoys riding bikes, making espresso, spending time with his family in Rhode Island, and following Leo and Henry around Turner Reservoir, posting photos on Instagram.

John Picozzi - epam.com johnpicozzi

Jason Pamental - rwt.io.

Dear Readers,

The Drupal community has long understood the web as shared infrastructure. It is not only a tool for publishing or development, but a space where people collaborate, contribute, and take collective responsibility for digital progress. Transparency, open participation, and shared ownership are central to how Drupal has evolved and how its community continues to grow.

The recent endorsement of the United Nations Open Source Principles by the Drupal Association reflects a broader shift in how global institutions approach digital governance. The UN’s focus on openness by default, secure and inclusive design, and sustainability aligns closely with the Drupal community’s long-standing practices. This moment highlights the increasing visibility of open source values at an international level and validates the work that communities like Drupal have been doing for decades.

For Drupal contributors, this is not a change in direction but a reinforcement of what has already proven to work. It affirms that building digital infrastructure in the public interest requires more than code. It requires a commitment to open processes, active engagement, and a shared sense of ownership over the tools and spaces we create together.

• Helping New Drupal Developers Cross the Gap Between Learning and Real-World Contribution
• Sowing Opportunity, Reaping Innovation: George DeMet on the Power of Inclusive Drupal Development

• Drupal Association 2025 Board Election: Nominations Open 19 May
• Drupal Association Opens Survey on Site Templates Marketplace Governance
• New Drupal Pretty Printer Streamlines Automated Code Formatting

• MidCamp 2025 in Focus: Inside the Drupal Event Built by and for the Community
• DrupalCamp Ruhr 2025 Set for 12–13 September in Essen, Germany
• European Drupal Working Group to Be Introduced at Drupaljam 2025
• DrupalCon Vienna 2025 Opens Volunteer Registration for On-Site Roles
• Call for Session Proposals Opens for LocalGov Drupal Camp 2025
• DrupalCon Nara 2025 Opens Call for Session Proposals Ahead of November Event

• How Kanopi Rebuilt the Hamilton Education Site for Better Access and Engagement
• Fabien Potencier Named CTO of Platform.sh, Succeeding Co-Founder Damien Tournoud
• OSU Open Source Lab Secures One-Year Lifeline, Shifts Focus to Long-Term Sustainability

We acknowledge that there are more stories to share. However, due to selection constraints, we must pause further exploration for now.

To get timely updates, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. You can also join us on Drupal Slack at #thedroptimes.

Thank you, 
Sincerely 
Alka Elizabeth 
Sub-editor, The DropTimes.

Last week, I had the honor of conducting a webinar for Drupal4Gov about "Drupal, Schema.org, and AI for Government." I recently connected with the organizers of Drupal4Gov at DrupalCon Atlanta. Although unsure if I could attend and possibly present at Drupal GovCon, they invited me to do a webinar, and I said yes.

For the past two years, I have been working on and discussing the Schema.org Blueprints module. I have several decks and slides presenting different aspects and approaches to using the module, so conducting a webinar would not be difficult for me. Meanwhile, my experience at DrupalCon Atlanta changed my opinion about the importance of embracing AI.

Hence, I committed to mixing a little AI into my webinar…. Okay, I mixed a lot of AI into this presentation. I would go as far as to say that ChatGPT was my co-presenter, being more knowledgeable about the Schema.org specification than me, while I had more expertise with blending Schema.org into Drupal.

I had no slides for the webinar, just prompts and two demos. I was optimistic that I could have a conversation with ChatGPT that showed the value and potential of embracing AI.

I encourage you to watch the recording below to see why I’m excited about playing with AI. You can also jump to the end to catch my favorite moment from the Q&A, which reveals the inspiration for this blog post's main image.

The United Nations Digital Technology Network has recently adopted a new set of Open Source Principles to promote collaboration and drive open source adoption within the UN and around the world. These principles position open source as the default approach for digital projects, encourage contributions back to the ecosystem, foster inclusion and community building, and much more.

The Drupal Association is proud to endorse these principles. As the non-profit organization that supports the Drupal project, already the standard technology platform for the United Nations’ web presence, we wholeheartedly believe that these principles will advance both digital sovereignty and the long-term sustainability of the open source ecosystem.

The UN Open Source Principles

• Open by default: Making Open Source the standard approach for projects
• Contribute back: Encouraging active participation in the Open Source ecosystem
• Secure by design: Making security a priority in all software projects
• Foster inclusive participation and community building: Enabling and facilitating diverse and inclusive contributions
• Design for reusability: Designing projects to be interoperable across various platforms and ecosystems
• Provide documentation: Providing thorough documentation for end-users, integrators and developers
• RISE (recognize, incentivize, support and empower): Empowering individuals and communities to actively participate
• Sustain and scale: Supporting the development of solutions that meet the evolving needs of the UN system and beyond.

In June 2023, the Drupal Association adopted its own Open Web Manifesto, which guides both our non-profit operations and the Drupal open source project. The manifesto is grounded in five core principles and three essential requirements.

The principles are that the open web: 

1. is built on freedom: No permission is required to learn, build, or innovate. Anyone, anywhere, can contribute to its growth.
2. is defined by decentralization: No single person or entity controls the open web.
3. thrives on inclusion: Everyone, regardless of background, identity, ability, wealth, or status has a place on the open web as a user, creator, architect, or innovator.
4. requires participation: It is a shared resource and a shared responsibility, sustained through collective effort.
5. exists for empowerment: It is driven by humanity’s pursuit of knowledge, connection, and progress, and is strengthened by each individual’s right to choice, privacy, and security.

The requirements are that the open web must: 

1. protect — not exploit — personal data and public discourse
2. enable the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to compete
3. be resilient to a changing world and not controlled by a select few. 

We believe the alignment between the Drupal Association’s Open Web Manifesto and the United Nations’s Open Source Principles is both strong and significant. As open source continues to power digital transformation globally, we look forward to a future where individuals, organizations, and governments invest in our digital public spaces with the same care and commitment as our physical ones.

MidCamp is just around the corner! Join us May 20–22 for three days of connection, collaboration, and innovation.

In addition to our full program, we have lots of awesome add on training options available for just $10.  All training sessions will take place Tuesday 2-5pm with two continuing on the Wednesday afternoon, it’s not to late to add to your ticket.Check out our extensive training opportunities

Training Lead by: Chris Weber Software Engineer, Nerdery & Justin Keiser, Drupal Web Programmer, Academy of Model Aeronautics

AI is everywhere... including Drupal! The advances for site builders using AI are pretty amazing! This course will provide a solid overview of what's available right now in both Drupal 11 and DrupalCMS and where the AI module is going.

This will be a hands-on course (if you want to try for yourself) for both Drupal 11 and Drupal CMS. No AI experience necessary, however you will need a paid account with OpenAI (or another API provider) - we're starting from scratch!

Training Lead by: April Sides, Principal Software Engineer, Red Hat

Note this training will be 2 parts continuing on Wednesday at 1pm

Developing websites within a team is a very different experience than building a site alone or with one or two other developers.

This hands-on training aims to build surface-level understanding of Agile and Gitflow, two common web development workflows for teams, from a developer’s perspective. You’ll learn about tips and tools to get you started, as well as resources for deeper exploration.

Training Lead by: Michael Anello, Drupal Trainer & Developer, DrupalEasy

Note this training will be 2 parts continuing on Wednesday at 1pm

Drupal CMS has the potential to reset the perception of Drupal and is arguably one of the most important projects undertaken by the Drupal community. Helping folks get a better understanding of Drupal CMS will help participants have a positive first impression, lead to informed word-of-mouth and help perceptions, and in turn increase adoption. The course will provide a hearty introduction to some of Drupal CMS' main functionality with highly hands-on demonstrations and exercises.

Training Lead by: Bernardo Martinez, Front-End Developer, Vaultes

Drupal has a large ecosystem of contributed and core themes. A lot of pieces can be reused and repurposed on custom themes. However, awareness about said themes and their quality of life improvements can at times be missed. Learning from different projects, this training will walk you through some scenarios and why those snippets, hooks, and modules, could come in handy.

Training Lead by: Jesus Manuel Olivas CEO & Co-Founder, Octahedroid

Discover how the Drupal Decoupled project leverages modern frontend frameworks and GraphQL APIs to transform traditional Drupal setups into Decouple implementations.

This session will show you how you can use Drupal as an API-driven CMS to build digital experiences, offering practical insights into decoupled architectures.

Secure your place on a training

Join the MidCamp Slack and some hang out with the community online. We will be making announcements there from time to time. Join us on our socials too (linked in the footer), we’re also on Bluesky and Mastodon.

Keep an eye on this space; we will be releasing more blog posts with hotel and travel options, fun social events, speaker announcements, and more!

This is part 1 of a series on having CI pipelines for your Drupal site, and building Drupal Deploy Confidence.

You might find it strange that the first part is about composer install. Or maybe you find it weird to mention at all, since all steps will inherently need to do this at some point. Well in that case I will point out that the goal here is to make sure no one has an excuse to not have a CI pipeline. And guess what? Having a pipeline that runs composer install is infinitely better than having no CI pipeline. You can imagine the feeling going from no checks to this for the first time?

We will get back to having composer install as parts of running tests and linting, but for now let's dwell a bit about what we have here and why. You see, composer as a dependency manager is a tool, and the tool will gladly do what you tell it to do. So if you (or a developer on your team) told it to upgrade all dependencies it would. In many cases that could be totally fine. But this could in fact also bump other requirements like PHP versions or PHP extensions. Awkwardly, a worst case outcome could in fact be that a deployment to the production environment went wrong, for example with a message like:

There are several variations of that, plus other things that could go wrong.

So if you ever experienced that error, there is in fact a very simple solution: Add a pipeline to your project that mirrors your production PHP version, and simply have a test for composer install! Just like this article suggests.

Direct link to pipeline for Bitbucket: https://bitbucket.org/eirikmorland/drupal-confidence/src/part-1/bitbucket-pipelines.yml
Direct link to pipeline for GitLab: https://gitlab.com/eiriksm/drupal-confidence/-/blob/part-1/.gitlab-ci.yml?ref_type=heads
Direct link to pipeline for GitHub: https://github.com/eiriksm/drupal-confidence/blob/part-1/.github/workflows/test.yml

If this article means you went from no pipelines or tests to exactly one: Congratulations! Let's celebrate this with a gif from the times long before the times of composer.

I wanted to make a little word play on the process I have observed many people have around updating their Drupal sites. People tend to say they don't have time or budget to have CI pipelines or tests, and instead what they do is they "double check" that everything looks ok in a staging environment. I never do that. Instead I have tests and a CI pipeline. For example. I just checked the builds of https://violinist.io, and it has 457 tests. So I went ahead and asked Chat GPT to help me a bit:

If I checked something twice I double checked. If I checked it 3 times I triple checked. 4 times quadruple checked. What would 457 times be then?

Chat GPT told me no one uses it like that, and that it's “grammatically tortured”. I was repeatedly advised against using it:

If you really wanted a made-up but linguistically inspired version:
"Quadringentoheptapentacontuple-checked" (457-checked)
quadringento = 400
hepta =7
pentaconta = 50 But again this is deep into nerdy satire territory, like something you'd read in a Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett book.

OK, my trusty AI friend. I accept the warning, but being in nerdy satire territory does not sound too bad. So with that introductory explanation of the title out of the way. Let me proceed with helping people increase their Drupal deployment confidence.

My last post about documenting the amount of commits and numbers around automatically updating Drupal projects received a bit of feedback. Most were in the category of surprise or being impressed with the large number. Then I randomly stumbled upon someone discussing the article on LinkedIn.

Emmons Michael Patzer says:

I enjoy his points. would enjoy even more seeing all the project work flow updates he indicates he runs. Lift the hood off some of that magic for the rest of us…

There is an underlying complement there I guess I will take. But the workflows are anything but magic.

Well let's walk through it shall we. First I can list up the checks:

1. composer install 
2. composer validate
3. phpcs
4. phpstan 
5. phpunit 
6. behat
7. site install 
8. site schema
9. clean repo check

In a couple short blog posts I will attempt to recreate this setup in the three major version control providers (GitHub, GitLab and Bitbucket) and let's see how magic it feels then?

The repository will be a simple Drupal site with a couple of contrib modules, and one custom module. The repos can be found here:

https://github.com/eiriksm/drupal-confidence
https://bitbucket.org/eirikmorland/drupal-confidence
https://gitlab.com/eiriksm/drupal-confidence

I'm going to finish this blog with an animated gif, supposedly being a result for the search term "Quadringentoheptapentacontuple"

Join us THURSDAY, May 15 at 1pm ET / 10am PT, for our regularly scheduled call to chat about all things Drupal and nonprofits. (Convert to your local time zone.)

We don't have anything specific on the agenda this month, so we'll have plenty of time to discuss anything that's on our minds at the intersection of Drupal and nonprofits.  Got something specific you want to talk about? Feel free to share ahead of time in our collaborative Google doc: https://nten.org/drupal/notes!

All nonprofit Drupal devs and users, regardless of experience level, are always welcome on this call.

This free call is sponsored by NTEN.org and open to everyone. 

• Join the call: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81817469653

  • Meeting ID: 818 1746 9653
    Passcode: 551681

  • One tap mobile:
    +16699006833,,81817469653# US (San Jose)
    +13462487799,,81817469653# US (Houston)

  • Dial by your location:
    +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
    +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
    +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
    +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

  • Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kpV1o65N

• Follow along on Google Docs: https://nten.org/drupal/notes

View notes of previous months' calls.