Release notes

Release 2.0

Branch: https://github.com/magento-research/pwa-studio/tree/release/2.0

What's new 🥇

Server platform and language independence

• UPWARD spec introduced for cross platform server behavior configuration. An upward spec describes a stack-agnostic server that is used for server side rendering.
• A PWA package can now define its network requirements in an UPWARD spec file.
• A PWA can now be deployed on any tech stack as long as the server is UPWARD compliant.
• UPWARD server implemented in NodeJS and PHP
• UPWARD spec published and open for community contribution.

Related documentation updates

• UPWARD spec overview(#382) 🆕
• UPWARD-js server(#382) 🆕

Improved developer experience

• Implemented consistent patterns for workflow, such as action/reducer organization and container/presentational separation, in the Venia reference theme source code.
• Venia components are now portable and can be used in any React application.
• New centralized driver and adapter concepts for all PWA-Studio component input/output.
• Configurable low level UI elements, such as lists and forms, available for developers without the need for drivers or adapters.
• Improved error handling to help detection and recoverability.

Related documentation updates

• Modular Venia components (#796) 🆕
• Venia directory structure(#487 #752)

App-like experience

• Pagination feature added to Venia reference storefront for app-like navigation.
• Inline checkout implemented in the Venia reference storefront.
• Basic account creation and management implemented in Venia.
• Loading state implemented to improved the app-like experience.

Related documentation updates

• Venia Checkout implementation (#673)

Improved shopper experience

• Braintree integration in the Venia reference storefront.
• Search with intelligent previews implemented in the Venia reference storefront.

Related documentation updates

• Braintree integration(#793) 🆕

PWA compliance

• Web App Manifest file created for the Venia reference storefront. This file provides the metadata for adding the Venia storefront to a mobile home screen.
• Service worker optimizations

Performance enhancements

• Smart caching implemented to improve service worker catalog caching
• Bandwidth usage optimizations achieved using:
  • Dynamic image compression/resize
  • Advanced minification
  • Bundle splitting
• Improved app performance on devices using smoother animations and non-blocking renders, which provide faster times on first meaningful paint.

GraphQL usage

• GraphQL usage increased to match coverage updates in Magento 2.3.0.

Magento Cloud compatibility

• A new Magento module (Magento_UpwardConnector) is available to route frontend requests through an UPWARD-PHP server.
• Software Integrators(SI) can replace existing Magento cloud storefronts with a new PWA storefront using the UPWARD connector module.
• Documentation created for deploying storefront to Magento Cloud
• Assistance offered by Magento Enterprise Cloud deployment team

Related documentation updates

• README for the Magento_UpwardConnector module, which contains Cloud deployment instructions.

Other documentation updates 📄

New topics 🆕

• Theme vs Storefront (#509)
• Install Venia sample data (#474)
• Peregrine Routing (#453)

Updated topics 📝

• Certificate and Valet+ troubleshooting (#637)
• Tools and Libraries (#621)

Known issues 🐛

• After submitting a successful order, users are unable to add items to the cart. (#916)
• Create account page displayed with null values for email, first and last name when creating an account during a guest checkout. (#830)
• (Mobile specific) When there are more categories, users cannot scroll to Sign in button. It blocks user from signing to the account. (#824)

Notable updates 🤔

• Setup Venia storefront video developed and available in Magento U