Ghost Release: 5.109.1

TL;DR

Ghost v5.109.1 - Performance Optimization for Content API

This minor release moves gated content block processing behind a labs flag to address potential performance issues. Sites that make heavy use of the Content API to fetch all posts in a single request with high traffic volumes were experiencing increased CPU usage and slowdowns due to the data processing required for gated content checks. This change is a precautionary measure while further performance testing is conducted.

Highlight of the Release

• Moved gated content block processing behind a labs flag
• Improved performance for sites making high-volume Content API requests
• Precautionary measure to prevent CPU usage spikes and slowdowns

Migration Guide

Enabling Gated Content Block Processing

If you are using gated content blocks as part of alpha testing, you will need to enable the corresponding labs flag to maintain the gated content functionality.

Important Note: If you disable the labs flag after having used gated content blocks, the previously gated content will become visible to all users.

Upgrade Recommendations

This is a minor release that addresses performance issues with the Content API. Upgrade is recommended for all users, especially those experiencing slowdowns with high-volume Content API requests.

Site administrators who have been using gated content blocks as part of alpha testing should ensure they enable the corresponding labs flag after upgrading to maintain gated content functionality.

Bug Fixes

Performance Issues with Content API

Fixed an issue where sites making use of the Content API to fetch all posts in a single request with high traffic volumes were experiencing increased CPU usage and slowdowns. This was due to the extensive data processing required to check for gated content.

New Features

Labs Flag for Gated Content Block Processing

Gated content block processing has been moved behind a labs flag. This change allows site administrators to control whether gated content blocks are processed, which can help improve performance for sites with high traffic volumes that make extensive use of the Content API.

Security Updates

No security fixes were included in this release.

Performance Improvements

Content API Performance Optimization

Improved performance for the Content API by making gated content block processing conditional via a labs flag. This change reduces CPU usage and prevents slowdowns for sites that fetch all posts in a single request with high traffic volumes.

Impact Summary

This release primarily impacts performance for sites with high traffic volumes that make extensive use of the Content API. By moving gated content block processing behind a labs flag, Ghost has taken a precautionary measure to prevent CPU usage spikes and slowdowns while further performance testing is conducted.

For users who have been alpha testing gated content blocks, this change requires enabling a labs flag to maintain the functionality. It's important to note that disabling the flag will make previously gated content visible to all users.

The change affects a small subset of Ghost users but provides important performance optimizations for high-traffic sites that rely heavily on the Content API.

Full Release Notes