Hello, fellow WordPress enthusiast! I'm Great Opomu, founder of WPFlat, and I've just spent over 5 hours diving deep into something that might change how we think about WordPress development forever. Let me tell you about Telex AI – and why I'm calling it “Lovable for WordPress.”
What Exactly Is Telex AI?
Telex is Automattic's experimental AI tool that was recently introduced by CEO Matt Mullenweg at WordCamp US, designed to create WordPress Gutenberg blocks using simple text prompts. Think of it as your AI coding companion that understands WordPress inside and out.
Here's the simple definition I've settled on after my extensive testing: Telex is Lovable, but specifically built for WordPress. And since it's created by Automattic – the company behind WordPress.com and led by Matt Mullenweg himself (the founder of WordPress.org) – you know this tool has serious backing.
Why I'm Calling This a Game Changer
After spending countless hours with both Lovable and now Telex, I can confidently say this opens up incredible opportunities. Right now, Telex focuses on building WordPress blocks (Gutenberg blocks specifically), but I have a strong feeling that as it evolves, we'll see full plugin development capabilities.
Let me be clear – it won't be as robust as what a seasoned developer can create. Just like Lovable-built apps need proper developer maintenance for complex issues, Telex-built blocks will have their limitations. But here's what excites me: as a non-technical person, you can now build functional WordPress tools using AI, without writing a single line of code yourself.
My Real-World Testing: Building a Percentage Calculator
Let me walk you through my actual experience. I decided to build a percentage calculator – something practical that I could test thoroughly.
The “Improve Prompt with AI” Feature
One feature that immediately caught my attention is the “Improve Prompt with AI” functionality. This is brilliant for people who have a rough idea of what they want but struggle to articulate it clearly. You input your basic concept, hit this button, and Telex transforms your vague description into a detailed, clear prompt that the AI can work with effectively.
This reminds me of Lovable's approach to helping users refine their ideas, and it's incredibly valuable for non-technical users.
The Building Process
The actual building process is fascinating. I created my percentage calculator, and Telex generated a complete WordPress block – version 0.10 in my case. When I switched to editor mode, there it was: a fully functional Gutenberg block that I could add to any WordPress site.
The best part? It actually works. I tested “10% of 5,000”, and it gave me the correct result. The block has both backend editing capabilities and a proper frontend view, making it genuinely functional for real-world use.
The Major Frustration: No Code Restoration
Here's where I need to be brutally honest about Telex's biggest limitation, and it's a deal-breaker for many use cases: there's no option to go back or restore previous code versions.
I spent about 2 out of my 5 hours trying to fix issues and desperately wanting to return to a previous working state. When AI makes an error (and it will), or when you give an instruction that breaks something, you're essentially stuck. No matter how clearly I instructed the AI to revert changes, it couldn't recreate exactly what was there before.
This is where Lovable shines with its “restore code” feature. Automattic really needs to prioritize this functionality, especially since Telex is experimental. When users are testing and exploring, they need the safety net of being able to undo changes.
Ambitious Projects: Testing an Invoicing Tool
I also attempted to build an invoicing tool to push Telex's limits. While the concept worked in the backend, I ran into issues with frontend functionality – data would save in the editor but wouldn't display properly on the frontend. This highlights another limitation: Telex lacks image upload functionality for troubleshooting.
With Lovable, I can screenshot an error and upload it for the AI to understand the problem visually. Telex currently works “blindly” in this regard, making debugging more challenging.
The Massive Potential I See Ahead
Despite these limitations, I'm incredibly excited about Telex's future. Here's what I envision:
1. Full Plugin Development
Imagine building complete WordPress plugins, not just blocks. Want to create a tool that white-labels Elementor? With mature Telex, you could potentially build a plugin that integrates with Elementor's API and provides white-labeling functionality.
2. Developer Acceleration
Even experienced developers could use Telex as a starting point, then continue development manually. This could make plugin development 10x faster for initial scaffolding and basic functionality.
3. Security Vulnerability Detection
Developers could potentially upload existing plugin files to Telex to identify vulnerabilities, especially valuable as WordPress constantly updates its codebase.
My Expert Take on Prompting with AI Tools
Here's something crucial that most people miss: success with AI tools like Telex isn't just about the AI – it's about how you prompt it.
Through my extensive experience with Lovable (where I've built complete applications using just their free credits), I've learned that effective prompting is an art form. You need to:
- Structure your thoughts clearly
- Understand AI limitations
- Provide context progressively
- Know when to stop before breaking things
This is why many people find AI frustrating – they expect it to read their minds rather than learning how to communicate effectively with it.
Should You Try Telex AI Right Now?
Yes, but with realistic expectations. If you're curious about AI-powered WordPress development, Telex offers a fascinating glimpse into the future. Just remember:
- Start with simple projects
- Don't make too many changes at once
- Accept that you might need to start over if things break
- Focus on learning the prompting process
The WordPress Community Impact
Telex represents Automattic's strategic pivot toward AI, aimed at lowering barriers to WordPress development. When this tool matures beyond its experimental stage, I believe it will be widely adopted by the WordPress community.
It won't replace professional developers, but it will democratize basic WordPress development in a way we've never seen before. The opportunities for non-technical entrepreneurs, small business owners, and WordPress enthusiasts are enormous.
My Personal Verdict
As someone who runs WP Flat, a WordPress agency specializing in complex platforms like LMS, publishing platforms, and custom integrations, I see Telex as a complementary tool rather than a replacement for professional development.
The tool shows incredible promise, and I'm genuinely grateful to the Automattic team for building this solution. While it may never surpass Lovable in terms of general application development, it has the potential to become the go-to tool for WordPress-specific AI development.
What's Next?
I plan to continue testing Telex extensively. The WordPress and AI communities deserve detailed insights about this tool's capabilities and limitations. If you're interested in learning more about effective prompting techniques or want to see more in-depth Telex tutorials, let me know in the comments.
The intersection of AI and WordPress development is just beginning, and tools like Telex are leading the charge. Whether you're a seasoned developer looking to accelerate your workflow or a non-technical person with great ideas, this experimental tool deserves your attention.
About the Author: I'm Great Opomu, founder of WP Flat, a WordPress agency focused on building and managing complex WordPress platforms. With extensive experience in both traditional WordPress development and AI-powered tools like Lovable and Telex, I help businesses leverage the latest technologies to solve real-world problems.
Have questions about Telex AI or need help with complex WordPress projects? Feel free to reach out – I'm always excited to discuss the future of WordPress development with fellow enthusiasts.
