Payload CMS Development
TypeScript-native headless CMS — code-first configuration, built-in auth, and full Next.js integration.
Payload CMS for developer-controlled content
Payload CMS is configured in TypeScript, not through a UI. Every collection, field type, access control rule, and hook is code — versioned, reviewable, and reproducible. For developer-first teams that want a CMS that behaves like the rest of their codebase, Payload is excellent.
Code-first architecture
Payload collections are TypeScript files. This means your content schema lives in your repository, changes go through code review, and deployments are reproducible. No clicking through a UI to set up a new environment.
Payload v3 with Next.js
Payload v3 is built on Next.js and can be installed directly into an existing Next.js app. Your CMS admin panel and your frontend share the same deployment, the same database connection, and the same TypeScript types. This eliminates the latency and complexity of a separate CMS service.
Common questions
What database does Payload use?
Payload v3 supports PostgreSQL, SQLite, and MongoDB. I default to PostgreSQL with Supabase for hosted projects — it integrates cleanly with the rest of the stack.
Does Payload v3 replace Sanity or Contentful?
For developer-first teams, yes — Payload gives you more control over data modelling and access control than hosted CMS options. For teams where non-technical editors need a polished visual interface, Sanity or Storyblok are often better fits.
Can Payload handle media uploads?
Yes. Payload has a built-in media collection. I configure it to upload to S3-compatible storage (Supabase Storage, Cloudflare R2, AWS S3) for production.
Is Payload good for multi-tenant applications?
Yes — Payload''s access control system supports tenant-scoped content out of the box. I have built multi-tenant CMS setups where each client only sees and edits their own content.
How does Payload handle auth?
Payload includes a full auth system — registration, login, email verification, password reset, and API keys. For most projects you do not need a separate auth service.
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