Ghost Release: 2.16.3

TL;DR

Ghost 2.16.3: API Fixes and Template Helper Improvements

This release focuses on fixing several critical API issues and template helper bugs. It addresses problems with field filtering in API endpoints, missing properties in API responses, and improves the behavior of various Handlebars helpers. Note that this version contains a critical bug that may cause sites to appear in private mode, so users should upgrade to 2.16.4 or later instead.

Highlight of the Release

• Fixed field filtering for /authors/:id and /tags/:id endpoints
• Fixed 404 errors when updating code injection settings in Admin API v2
• Fixed missing 'value' property for settings in Admin API v2
• Fixed excerpt property being missing if plaintext is NULL or empty
• Fixed template helpers including {{url}}, {{excerpt}}, and collection handling

Migration Guide

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Version 2.16.3 contains a critical bug that may result in your site appearing in private mode. ⚠️

Users should skip this version and upgrade directly to 2.16.4 or later instead. If you have already installed 2.16.3 and are experiencing issues with your site appearing in private mode, please upgrade to version 2.16.4 or later as soon as possible.

Upgrade Recommendations

⚠️ DO NOT UPGRADE TO THIS VERSION ⚠️

Ghost 2.16.3 contains a critical bug that may result in your site appearing in private mode. It is strongly recommended to skip this version and upgrade directly to version 2.16.4 or later instead.

If you are currently running version 2.16.3, you should upgrade to 2.16.4 or later immediately to resolve the private mode issue.

Bug Fixes

API Fixes

• Fixed 500 error when an unknown field was passed in the fields API parameter
• Fixed fields parameter having no effect for /authors/:id and /tags/:id endpoints
• Fixed 404 error when trying to update codeinjection_* settings in Admin API v2
• Fixed "value" properties sometimes being missing in settings endpoint in Admin API v2
• Fixed collection naming when specifying keys in a route's data property

Content & Post Fixes

• Fixed excerpt property being missing if plaintext is NULL or empty in posts endpoint
• Fixed plaintext field not being cleared when post body is removed
• Fixed empty AMP pages

Template Helper Fixes

• Fixed {{url}} output when using {{#next_post}}/{{#prev_post}} helpers
• Fixed "false" not being recognized in absolute attribute value of {{url absolute="false"}} helper
• Fixed {{excerpt}} helper sometimes displaying null text

Other Improvements

• Improved error message when attempting to use disabled v0.1 Public API
• Removed superagent dependency in favor of Got via the request proxy

New Features

This release primarily focuses on bug fixes rather than introducing new features. However, it does include an improved error message when attempting to use the disabled v0.1 Public API, providing clearer guidance to users.

Security Updates

No specific security fixes were included in this release.

Performance Improvements

• Removed superagent dependency and migrated the default scheduling adapter to use Got via the request proxy, which helps reduce the overall package size and dependency footprint.

Impact Summary

Ghost 2.16.3 addresses multiple API and template helper bugs that improve the stability and functionality of the platform. The fixes resolve issues with field filtering in API endpoints, missing properties in API responses, and improve the behavior of various Handlebars helpers.

However, this release contains a critical bug that may cause sites to appear in private mode. Due to this issue, users should avoid this version and upgrade directly to 2.16.4 or later.

For developers working with the Ghost API, this release fixes several important issues including field filtering for author and tag endpoints, handling of code injection settings, and collection naming in routes. Theme developers will benefit from fixes to template helpers like {{url}} and {{excerpt}}.

Content creators will see improvements in how excerpts are handled and displayed, fixing issues where null values might appear or where plaintext fields weren't properly cleared when content was removed.

Full Release Notes