This study investigates the role of hydrostatic pressure in controlling neural crest competence, a key aspect of embryonic induction. The authors found that neural crest competence decreases as the hydrostatic pressure of the blastocoel cavity increases, which is associated with a loss of competence in Xenopus embryos. By manipulating hydrostatic pressure in vivo, they demonstrated that increased pressure inhibits Yap signaling and impairs Wnt activation, essential for neural crest induction. The study further showed that this mechanism is conserved across amphibian, mouse, and human cells, suggesting a universal role of hydrostatic pressure in regulating neural crest competence. The findings highlight how tissue mechanics can interact with signaling pathways to control embryonic competence, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying embryonic development.This study investigates the role of hydrostatic pressure in controlling neural crest competence, a key aspect of embryonic induction. The authors found that neural crest competence decreases as the hydrostatic pressure of the blastocoel cavity increases, which is associated with a loss of competence in Xenopus embryos. By manipulating hydrostatic pressure in vivo, they demonstrated that increased pressure inhibits Yap signaling and impairs Wnt activation, essential for neural crest induction. The study further showed that this mechanism is conserved across amphibian, mouse, and human cells, suggesting a universal role of hydrostatic pressure in regulating neural crest competence. The findings highlight how tissue mechanics can interact with signaling pathways to control embryonic competence, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying embryonic development.