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payloadcms

payloadcms/payload

Open-source Next.js-native headless CMS and app framework with a TypeScript backend and customizable React admin panel.

Open-source alternative to:ContentfulStrapiWordPress

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What is it?

Payload is a headless CMS and application framework built on Next.js. It installs directly into an existing /app folder, so the admin panel, API and frontend can live in the same project. Data is queried directly inside React Server Components, and types are generated automatically from your collection definitions.

The framework covers common CMS needs out of the box: authentication, versions and drafts, localization, a block-based layout builder, a Lexical rich text editor, conditional field logic, and granular access control. Document and field-level hooks run around every action, and both the admin UI and backend can be extended with custom code.

Payload can be deployed to Vercel and Cloudflare with one-click setups, or to other hosts. Official templates for websites and ecommerce stores are provided, along with a plugin ecosystem.

Key features

  • 01Next.js native, installs inside an existing /app folder
  • 02Query the database directly in React Server Components
  • 03Auto-generated TypeScript types from data definitions
  • 04Built-in auth, versions and drafts, and localization
  • 05Lexical rich text editor and block-based layout builder
  • 06Granular access control with document and field-level hooks

Use cases

  • Building a marketing website or blog with a managed content backend
  • Creating an ecommerce store with a headless CMS and custom frontend
  • Adding an admin panel and API to an existing Next.js application
  • Deploying a serverless content app on Vercel or Cloudflare

Quick start

  1. 1

    Make sure required software is installed (see docs)

  2. 2

    Create a new Payload app with the scaffolding tool

    pnpx create-payload-app@latest
  3. 3

    Or start with the website template, which includes a Tailwind frontend

    pnpx create-payload-app@latest -t website

Things to know

  • Requires Node.js and pnpm tooling to be set up before starting.

Topics

#cms#headless-cms#nextjs#typescript#react#content-management#postgres#mongodb#content-management-system#express

FAQ

What is payload?
Open-source Next.js-native headless CMS and app framework with a TypeScript backend and customizable React admin panel. Payload is a headless CMS and application framework built on Next.js. It installs directly into an existing /app folder, so the admin panel, API and frontend can live in the same project. Data is queried directly inside React Server Components, and types are generated automatically from your collection definitions.
Is payload free to use? What license does it have?
payload is open source under the MIT license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is payload still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to payload was on Oct 21, 2026.
What can I use payload for?
Building a marketing website or blog with a managed content backend Creating an ecommerce store with a headless CMS and custom frontend Adding an admin panel and API to an existing Next.js application Deploying a serverless content app on Vercel or Cloudflare
How do I install payload?
Make sure required software is installed (see docs) Create a new Payload app with the scaffolding tool: pnpx create-payload-app@latest Or start with the website template, which includes a Tailwind frontend: pnpx create-payload-app@latest -t website
Where can I get payload?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/payloadcms/payload

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