payloadcms/payload

Payload is a fullstack Next.js framework that serves as both a headless CMS and application backend, built entirely in TypeScript.

Payload solves the problem of needing separate tools for content management and backend infrastructure by embedding directly into a Next.js application's `/app` folder. It provides an automatically generated admin panel built with React, a TypeScript backend, and database abstraction supporting both MongoDB and PostgreSQL. The framework allows developers to query their database directly in React Server Components and deploy anywhere, including serverless platforms, without vendor lock-in since it is open source.

Teams building content-driven applications or those already committed to the Next.js ecosystem should consider Payload. It suits projects where combining frontend and backend in a single codebase is desirable, and where avoiding external SaaS dependencies matters. The tool is particularly valuable for developers who want to avoid legacy CMS codebases while maintaining full extensibility of both the admin interface and backend logic. A website template is provided as a starting point, demonstrating patterns like custom Rich Text blocks, on-demand revalidation, and live preview functionality.

The project maintains a substantial adopter base, with almost all open issues originating from outside users rather than the core team. Maintainers typically respond to new issues and pull requests within a day.