The essential toolkit for FSE development starts with a modern code editor like Visual Studio Code equipped with WordPress-specific extensions such as WordPress Snippets and PHP Intelephense. Local development environments like Local by Flywheel, XAMPP, or Docker-based solutions provide the necessary WordPress installation for testing FSE themes. The WordPress Site Editor itself serves as the primary visual development tool for creating and editing templates, patterns, and template parts.
Version control systems, particularly Git with platforms like GitHub or GitLab, are crucial for collaborative FSE development and theme versioning. Build tools such as Webpack, Gulp, or Vite help optimize CSS and JavaScript assets, while SASS or PostCSS processors enhance styling workflows. Browser developer tools become indispensable for debugging block-specific CSS and inspecting the complex HTML structure generated by Gutenberg blocks.
Specialized WordPress development tools include WP-CLI for command-line operations, Query Monitor for debugging, and Theme Check plugin for validation against WordPress standards. JSON validators ensure proper theme.json syntax, while accessibility testing tools like axe DevTools help maintain WCAG compliance. Design tools like Figma or Sketch facilitate pattern design and layout planning before implementation in the block editor environment.