Automattic Updates Core Creed After 14 Years, Reflecting Evolving Company Values

Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, WooCommerce, and Tumblr, has officially updated its foundational "Automattic Creed" for the first time in 14 years. The significant revision was announced by co-founder Matt Mullenweg, who stated in a recent tweet, "> After 14 years, we have finally updated the Automattic Creed. https://t.co/6eMPpVMnG9". This update, designated Version 1.1 and dated October 29, 2025, reflects a maturation of the company's ethos and operational philosophy.

The original Automattic Creed, which served as a guiding principle for employees, emphasized continuous learning, initiative beyond assigned tasks, and a commitment to open source. Key tenets included "I will never stop learning" and "I am more motivated by impact than money, and I know that Open Source is one of the most powerful ideas of our generation." This initial creed was often presented to new hires and was deeply embedded in the company's remote-first culture.

The newly revised creed retains the core spirit of its predecessor while introducing nuanced shifts that align with Automattic's growth and current strategic focus. While the full comparison requires detailed analysis, the update likely refines aspects related to distributed work, customer focus, and sustainable business practices. Such foundational documents are crucial for remote companies like Automattic, which operates with over 1,400 employees across nearly every corner of the globe.

Matt Mullenweg has previously articulated the importance of such guiding principles, referring to the creed as the "Automattic Operating System" – the meta-layer influencing hiring, HR, and the overall employee experience. The timing of this update, following 14 years of consistent use, suggests a deliberate effort to ensure the company's core values remain relevant and robust in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. This revision underscores Automattic's commitment to maintaining a strong, unified culture as it continues to democratize publishing, commerce, and messaging.