Payload
The first Next.js native headless CMS that installs directly in your /app folder. Build faster without vendor lock-in.
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Next.js-native headless CMS that lives in your /app folder, enabling direct DB queries from React Server Components.
Core Features
- Install directly into your existing Next.js /app folder — no separate CMS server
- Query your database from React Server Components directly, no REST/GraphQL needed
- Built-in authentication, versioning, drafts, and localization
- Block-based layout builder for creating flexible page structures
- Fully customizable React admin panel with no black boxes
What It Can't Do
- •1) Requires Next.js App Router (Pages Router not recommended). 2) Defaults to MongoDB or PostgreSQL — configure database beforehand. 3) Some advanced plugins may not be free. 4) Migrating from v2 to v3 requires following the official migration guide to avoid data loss.
Use Cases
- Building corporate websites or blogs that need flexible content models and custom frontends
- E-commerce sites or digital showcases requiring deep Next.js integration
- Teams wanting an open-source, vendor-free CMS to avoid SaaS costs
- Full-stack TypeScript projects that want type-safe content management
Payload is an open-source, headless CMS built specifically for Next.js. It runs inside your existing Next.js /app directory, combining backend and frontend in a single codebase. With Payload, you can query your database directly from React Server Components without needing REST or GraphQL. It includes built-in auth, versioning, localization, a block-based layout builder, customizable React admin, and a powerful rich text editor (Lexical). Deploy anywhere—serverless on Vercel or Cloudflare—and enjoy full TypeScript support with automatic types for your data. No SaaS subscriptions, no vendor lock-in, just pure extensibility.
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Getting Started
Download installer
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Install the software
Double-click the downloaded installer and follow the prompts
Ensure Node.js 18+ and pnpm (or npm/yarn) are installed
Run: pnpx create-payload-app@latest
Choose a template (recommended: website template with full front+backend example)
- Ensure Node.js 18+ and pnpm (or npm/yarn) are installed
- Run: pnpx create-payload-app@latest
- Choose a template (recommended: website template with full front+backend example)
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Delete the project folder. If you installed the CLI globally, run 'pnpm remove payload -g'. Remember to back up your database before deletion.
No Extra Dependencies
Ready to use after download. No additional runtime required.
Having issues? Check the FAQ below
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