Payload CMS

Open Source

Definitions

  1. An open-source, code-first headless CMS and application framework built with TypeScript and Next.js. Payload defines content schemas in TypeScript configuration files rather than through a GUI, making the content model version-controlled, type-safe, and developer-friendly. It provides a polished admin panel, authentication, access control, file uploads, and localization out of the box. Payload 2.0 integrated deeply with Next.js, allowing the CMS admin panel and the frontend to run in the same application. Unlike traditional headless CMS platforms that run as separate services, Payload lives inside your codebase. This code-first approach appeals to developers who want CMS capabilities without sacrificing control over their data model and deployment. It competes with Strapi, Sanity, and Contentful.

    In plain English: An open-source content management system where you define your content model in TypeScript code instead of clicking through a GUI. It lives in your codebase and gives you a polished admin panel automatically.

    Example: We defined our blog schema in Payload's config file, and it generated the admin UI, API endpoints, and TypeScript types automatically.