Setting up WordPress for block development requires specific configurations beyond a standard install. A local development environment like Local by Flywheel provides the foundation, though VVV and other tools work equally well.
Query Monitor plugin becomes essential for debugging scripts, styles, and block functionality during development. It adds detailed debugging panels to your admin bar for real-time troubleshooting.
Enable debugging mode in wp-config.php with WP_DEBUG, WP_DEBUG_LOG, and most importantly SCRIPT_DEBUG set to true. This loads development versions of Gutenberg libraries and provides enhanced logging for block development.