Are you a teacher, and new to p5.js v2?

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Here is a tutorial, written by a middle school teacher who has gone through many p5.js educational materials, and created a very short guide for what the new version means for you.

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Technical Timeline

We have recently released p5.js 2.3.0. Before announcing major work on 2.4, we will focus on switching to p5.js 2.0 across the p5.js ecosystem.

This issue is both an update of actions the maintainers plan to take, and an opportunity to flag any concerns or questions. You can comment here, on the issues linked below, or in discord.p5js.org in the #contribute-to-p5 channel.

This timeline for p5.js version 2 was first introduced here. We are on track, and in the next 2 months will be implementing the default switch:

• Start of April, 2025: release of p5.js v2.0 - available to import, opt-in in the p5.js Editor ✅
• End of March, 2026: p5.js v1.x freeze - no further updates ✅ 1.x patches over the past year have been primarily documentation corrections
• Now: working on all administrative updates (on the repositories, the website, and the editor) to enable switch to be completed by start of August
  • ✅ June 10th, 5pm CET: Switch branches on p5.js so that 2.x is the main branch #8871
  • ✅ July 1st, 5pm CET: Switch websites so that v2.x deploys to p5js.org (the beta.p5js.org links continue to work via redirects) p5.js-website#1426
  • June 30th, 3pm CET July 14-31, 2026 p5.sound.js version 2 release p5.sound.js#86 - Update: this has been delayed, however p5.sound.js 0.4.1 has been released, with much updated documentation on the website. Please feel free to comment on this issue or watch it for updates, even after it is closed.
  • ✅ July 31st, 5pm CET: Switch p5.js editor to use 2.x latest as the default version p5.js-web-editor#4149
• Start of August, 2026: p5.js 2.0 is the default version in the p5.js Editor

• p5.js 2.0 RFC #6678
• p5.js 2.0 Updates #7261
• p5.js 2.0 Update: Beta, Timeline, and Compatibility Addons #7488
• 2.1 Milestone Update: Graphics, Accessibility, Sound, and Coding Experience #7937
• 2.3 Milestone Update #8624 (we are here)

Why?

Over a year has passed between release of 2.0 and the switch to using it as the default version. This has been intentional, and has given time for the creation of:

• New documentation and content, including p5.js v2 Artist Series, 2.x-specific tutorials, new Coding Train content on 2.x, including async/await usage
• Community development of p5.strands, the largest feature addition in 2.x. Work continues on this feature with the goal of beginner-friendly JavaScript shader authoring
• Resources for backwards compatibility and using 1.x patterns with 2.x

More content is being worked on currently, to be released prior to switch. If you notice gaps in content? Proposed content to make the switch smoother is welcome!

What's Next?

You are welcome to monitor 2.4 planning here and get involved in any open discussions! However, review may take a while if there are urgent/emerging topics related to the switch.