Craft CMS is a self-hosted PHP content management system that enables developers to build custom digital experiences with flexible content modeling and a user-friendly control panel.
Craft solves the problem of rigid, assumption-laden CMS platforms by taking a clean-slate approach to content modeling that adapts to your specific needs rather than forcing content into predefined structures. It provides a Twig-based templating system for server-side rendering and an auto-generated GraphQL API for headless applications. The control panel offers an intuitive interface for content creators and administrators, while the underlying architecture is built on PHP and supports MySQL or PostgreSQL databases.
Teams should choose Craft when they need a CMS that doesn't constrain their content structure and want to avoid the overhead of headless-only solutions. It suits projects ranging from custom websites to ecommerce experiences, particularly when you need both a content management interface and flexible delivery options. The platform includes a built-in ecommerce module for bespoke shopping experiences and a Plugin Store with hundreds of free and commercial extensions. A robust extension framework allows advanced customization for teams with specific requirements.
The project maintains steady development activity with regular updates across its codebase. The repository shows consistent engagement with issues and pull requests, indicating active maintenance and responsiveness to community needs. Documentation is comprehensive and regularly updated, covering installation, templating, GraphQL integration, and extension development. The community remains active across Discord, Stack Exchange, and dedicated learning platforms, providing multiple channels for developers to seek help and share knowledge.
