Dear Readers,
A week ago, Vincenzo Gambino, a Drupal Architect, came up with an update that he implemented a React-based contact form within Astro that successfully sends data to Drupal. He also officially submitted a PR to include a Drupal integration guide in the Astro documentation. Before this, Astro, a rising front-end framework, had all major CMS integrations covered—except for Drupal in its documentation. At that point, Vincenzo started developing a starter kit along with Francesco Maria Battaglia and Christopher Pecoraro, and published it at the end of January. This resulted in the Drupal and Astro Umami Demo.
In the following days, The Astro Umami Demo started using the Drupal API Client library—developed by Brian Perry—a powerful set of JavaScript packages designed to make interacting with Drupal’s APIs much easier. It's the missing Drupal JS API client that developers need to connect with Drupal's JSON endpoints, simplifying building dynamic, content-driven web applications. This integration lays the groundwork for a multilingual feature in future updates!
Fast-forward to today. The Astro Docs website has comprehensive Drupal integration documentation written by Vincenzo, which has been missing since 2022. Vincenzo anticipates exciting outcomes generated by the Drupal Community using this integration.
Integrating Drupal with Astro allows developers to build dynamic web applications by combining Drupal’s powerful content management capabilities with Astro’s web development tools. The process involves enabling Drupal's JSON:API module to fetch content via API requests and adding the Drupal URL to the Astro project’s environment file. Developers can use npm packages like "JSONA" and "Drupal JSON-API Params" to simplify handling complex data queries and responses. Astro components can then fetch and display Drupal content, such as articles, using structured API queries, while dynamic routing generates unique pages for each article. This integration enables seamless content management and presentation, making it ideal for building efficient, content-rich websites.
With that let's move on to important stories from the past week.
At DrupalCon Barcelona, Artem Dmitriiev and Bruno Bruno from 1xINTERNET shared key insights on improving the editor's experience in Drupal. Their session highlighted how modern tools like Content Templates and Frontend Editing streamline workflows and simplify content creation based on feedback from clients and UX experts. Explore their approach to making Drupal more user-friendly for content editors with this recent TDT article.
SystemSeed also made a strong impression at DrupalCon Barcelona 2024, presenting Anu LMS, their open-source, Drupal-based learning management system. The team also participated in discussions on Drupal Starshot and AI integration, while engaging the community with workshops and networking events. Read about SystemSeed's dynamic presence at DrupalCon Barcelona.
A new Drupal module, Migrate Wizard, has taken the stage to improve content migration between Drupal versions, simplifying the often-complex process for users without programming experience. The tool, developed by Carlos Romero Alvarez, offers a user-friendly interface to facilitate no-code migrations from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10.
QED42 has introduced a new code-generation tool to simplify Twig templates' conversion into Single Directory Components (SDC) for Drupal developers. This tool automates the previously manual and time-consuming process of creating '.component.yml' configuration files, which are essential for SDC integration in Drupal.
Last week, the Drupal Community welcomed two major events: Drupal Day Portugal 2024 and Pacific NorthWest Drupal Summit 2024. The DropTimes got the opportunity to speak with the organizers of the events and learn about their motives, expectations, and challenges in organizing them. Although both events have come to a close, the recorded sessions will soon be made available on respective YouTube channels.
This week, Drupal events are taking place in different parts of the world. Here is the complete list of all the events happening this week to guide our readers.
The Drupal Association has announced the Steering Committee for DrupalCon Atlanta 2025, assembling seven key leaders from the Drupal community to guide the event’s development. The event steering committee emphasizes a "for the community, by the community" approach. Learn who all made it to the committee with our article. Also, DrupalCon Atlanta 2025 seeks volunteers to help shape the event, offering opportunities for community members to contribute to one of the most significant gatherings in the Drupal ecosystem.
Promet Source has launched DUSWDS, an open-source Drupal distribution tailored for U.S. federal agencies to comply with the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and Section 508 accessibility standards. The platform simplifies content management with pre-built, accessible components and a drag-and-drop interface via Drupal's Layout Builder.
Pantheon and Tag1 Consulting have partnered to offer free long-term support (LTS) for Drupal 7 websites, extending security updates until January 5, 2027. This extension comes as the Drupal community is set to end official support for Drupal 7 on January 5, 2025.
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.
