Rich Howell reflects on the vibrant atmosphere of Umbraco Codegarden 2026, highlighting record attendance and the community's embrace of AI. Key announcements included the introduction of Elements, Umbraco Automate, and security advancements. The day concluded with the Umbraco Awards, celebrating community talent and innovation.
In her presentation at Codegarden, Jen Wolke from ProWorks discusses leveraging AI, specifically Claude Chat, to enhance QA processes. She outlines practical applications for testing, including skill creation and accessibility audits, emphasizing the importance of human oversight in AI-driven testing to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
In "From Designs to Umbraco (and Everything In Between)," Matthew Wise shares a candid exploration of AI-assisted development, detailing the transition from basic coding to effective workflows using Claude Code. The presentation covers context engineering, building Umbraco document types, and the challenges faced, emphasizing practical learning through real experiences.
Nikolaj Hjelm Kaplan, Anne Pehrson & Victor Nellemann discusses the Danish Broadcasting Corporation's transition from a Drupal 7 CMS to a customized Umbraco platform, enhancing performance for 24/7 news publishing. Key features include high-volume article production, back-office customizations, and integration within DR’s digital ecosystem, alongside lessons learned from the migration process.
Lasse and Rasmus from Umbraco HQ present Umbraco Compose, a platform that aggregates data from various sources using APIs, including management, ingestion, and GraphQL layers. They demonstrate its capabilities through a pickleball paddle shop example, showcasing integrations with Google Sheets, Cloudinary, and Shopify, while discussing future enhancements like a CLI tool and improved authentication.
Owain Williams, a senior developer at Initial CX, presents an overview of the Management API for Umbraco, likening it to a remote control for website interaction. He discusses authentication, API usage, and the creation of a TypeScript library to streamline user management, emphasizing practical applications and tips for effective integration.
In a session led by Kyle Brigham from Marcel Digital, he discusses the shift from traditional SEO to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and AI Discovery. Emphasizing the need for strategic website architecture and content creation, the session highlights adapting to AI-driven search ecosystems for improved visibility and effectiveness.
Jordan from Umbraco HQ discusses orchestration in the context of Umbraco Compose, a content orchestration platform. He explains how Compose addresses challenges in integrating various backend systems, enhances performance, and simplifies content management. The talk also outlines future developments for Compose and its suitability for specific project types.
Matt Sutherland & Georgina Bidder from True discuss the importance of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) for aligning product data across various platforms. They emphasize the need for a consistent source of truth, such as a Product Information Management system, to ensure accurate AI-generated information, ultimately enhancing customer experience and trust.
Joe Glombek discusses the importance of software communities, particularly the Umbraco community, in empowering development teams and fostering professional growth. He emphasizes how community involvement through meetups can lead to innovative solutions, reduced technical debt, and increased employee satisfaction, ultimately benefiting both individuals and organizations.
Marcus Johansson discusses Umbraco's new Hybrid Cache, introduced in Umbraco 15, which enhances performance by combining memory and distributed caching. While it reduces memory usage and startup times, developers must adapt their approaches to content interaction, particularly regarding traversal and filtering, to avoid performance pitfalls.
Amalie Wowern from Umbraco HQ provided an update on the commercial products, including Engage, Commerce, Workflow, Forms, UI Builder, and Deploy. Key developments included UI improvements, analytics features, and the introduction of AI capabilities. Future plans focus on enhancing stability, user experience, and integrating automation across products.
In this case study, Tobias Jensen details Orifarm's transition from fragmented local websites to a unified Umbraco Cloud Baseline platform. The initiative aimed to enhance brand consistency, efficiency, and scalability while allowing local adaptations. Key lessons include the importance of simplicity, effective governance, and managing marketing expectations.
Daniel Horn discusses consolidating three large websites from Kentico, WordPress, and Webflow into a single Umbraco platform for a global student organization. The migration highlighted technical and editorial challenges, emphasizing the importance of editor habits and visual tools. Key lessons include content modeling, field mapping, and supporting diverse editing experiences.
Becks Willis discusses the challenges of justifying the existence of websites, particularly in professional services. She emphasizes the need for agencies to better understand client goals, evidence, and trust factors. By addressing these issues upfront, agencies can help clients articulate the value of their websites, ensuring ongoing investment and relevance in a changing digital landscape.
Rachel Breeze discusses the complexities of maintaining Umbraco sites, emphasizing that decisions to stay, upgrade, or rewrite should be context-driven, considering factors like support status, technical debt, and organizational needs. Each option carries distinct costs and risks, necessitating informed choices that align with long-term business goals.
Martin Saaby discusses the implementation of Umbraco Compose and Struct PIM, emphasizing the importance of owning the middle layer in digital solutions. He highlights benefits such as speed, scalability, and freedom from agency lock-in, while also addressing challenges like upfront costs and complexity management.
The 2026 Codegarden in Copenhagen saw over 750 attendees, highlighting the launch of Umbraco's Green Track initiative. This program encouraged sustainable train travel, resulting in 1.5 tonnes of CO2 savings. Participants found train journeys more relaxing and productive, fostering team connections and appreciation for landscapes, while promoting eco-friendly travel habits.
2026-07-23 from 18:00 to 20:00 (Europe/London) - Cantarus, Lower Ground Floor, Jutland House, 15 Jutland St, Manchester M1 2BE, Manchester, GB