Payload

Payload is a TypeScript-first headless CMS and application framework built on Node.js, designed to power content-driven websites and products with a fully customizable admin UI and developer-friendly APIs. It models your data as code, generates REST/GraphQL endpoints, and supports rich content editing, media, and granular access control.

Key Features

• TypeScript-first configuration with schema-driven Collections/Globals
• Auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs from your content models
• React-based Admin UI with extensible fields, custom views, and role-aware controls
• Authentication and authorization with granular, field-level access control
• Drafts, versions, autosave, and scheduled publishing (via jobs/workflows depending on setup)
• Media management with upload storage adapters and image processing integrations
• Relationship fields, localization (i18n), and rich content editing blocks
• First-class Next.js integration for live preview and modern app routing patterns

Use Cases

• Headless CMS for marketing sites, documentation, and multi-page web properties
• Content backend for Next.js applications (blogs, ecommerce content, directories)
• Internal tools/content operations portal with custom admin workflows

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires Node.js/TypeScript proficiency; configuration is code-centric rather than purely UI-driven
• Some advanced workflows (e.g., background jobs, complex publishing flows) may require additional setup/plugins

Payload is well-suited for teams that want strong typing, code-defined content models, and a customizable admin experience. It provides both API-first delivery and tight integration with modern React/Next.js stacks, making it a practical foundation for bespoke content platforms and products.