Payload CMS
TODO: Payload v3 (around 2024-11) revamped architecture and based on Next.js
remove v1 and v2 docs
Payload: The fastest growing open-source headless CMS
payloadcms/payload: Payload is the open-source, fullstack Next.js framework, giving you instant backend superpowers. Get a full TypeScript backend and admin panel instantly. Use Payload as a headless CMS or for building powerful applications.
Nick Vogel
PayloadCMS Tutorials - YouTube
PayloadCMS Upgrade Guides (Tutorials) - YouTube
I tried Payload 3.0. Beta for 40 hours so you don’t have to | by MouCZnik | Medium
Compare Payload to Strapi | Strapi Alternatives | Payload
- Strapi only supports RBAC
- Payload support more flexible function-based access control (RBAC is trivial)
Payload is now completely free and open source | Blog | Payload 2022-05
I'm CEO of Payload CMS—which recently switched to a fully open-source model. I'm here to talk about open-source vs. proprietary software, bootstrapping vs. taking VC, growing a digital design agency, and more. AMA! : Entrepreneur
Project Templates
npx create-payload-app@latest --use-bun -t website -n payload-website
npx create-payload-app@latest --use-bun -t blank -n payload-blank
npx create-payload-app@latest --use-bun --example tailwind-shadcn-ui -n example-shadcn
npx create-payload-app@latest --use-bun --example auth -n example-authpayload/templates at main · payloadcms/payload
payload-template · GitHub Topics
payload/examples at main · payloadcms/payload
drago1520/simple-payload-starter: A simplified version of the official Payload Website Template with simpler page-building (blocks-only), improved folder structure, live preview, blog posts, SEO optimization and --turbopack. less bloat than website?
Learn
Payload CMS - YouTube
Learn advanced Next.js with Payload's website template - YouTube 2024-12, official
Building a Professionally Designed Website with NextJS, TypeScript, and Payload CMS - YouTube old
Payload: The Complete Backend for NextJS - YouTube
Aaron Saunders
PAYLOAD CMS - YouTube
Payload CMS Fullstack To Do - YouTube
From Zero to Landing Page: A Hands-On Payload CMS Blocks Tutorial (Beginner's Guide) - YouTube 2025-03
West Side Technology Solutions
How Payload CMS Works: Payload CMS Architecture Explained Simply - YouTube ❗!important
Payload CMS vs Strapi in 2025: Which Saves Small Businesses More Money & Time? - YouTube
Payload CMS Tutorials - YouTube
Sam Thoyre
Mastering Payload CMS 3: Building Modern Full-Stack Applications 🚀 - YouTube
Collection
Collection Configs | Documentation | Payload
Fields Overview | Documentation | Payload
Relationship Field | Documentation | Payload
Learn More about Virtual Fields | Blog | Payload CMS
Versions | Documentation | Payload
Rest API
REST API | Documentation | Payload
Custom Endpoints
Custom Endpoints can be added to collection without the need to change server.ts.
REST API | Documentation | Payload
Adding Super fast MongoDB Atlas Search to Payload CMS | All about Payload #payloadcms - YouTube override default regex search with Atlas search
Use payload.db.collections["<slug>"] in v3 (contrast payload.collections["<slug>"].Model in v2) to retrieve the Mongoose model which you can call aggregate() on.
Local API
For writing apps based on Payload CMS, can overrides access control (default true)
Local API | Documentation | Payload
Using Payload outside Next.js | Documentation | Payload
Custom Components
Payload CMS Custom Components - YouTube Nick Vogel
Custom Fields
Payload CMS: How To Create Custom Array Field for Tags - YouTube
Make Your Payload CMS Fields Work Together Like Magic with Custom Fields - YouTube
Access control/Authorization
flexible function-based access control
Access Control | Documentation | Payload
Overview of Payload CMS Access Control - YouTube
Build Your Own Role-Based Access Control in Payload | by Elliot DeNolf | Payload | Medium
Authentication
Authentication Overview | Documentation | Payload
Authentication Config | Documentation | Payload
How to get authenticated user in custom express routes? · payloadcms/payload · Discussion #675
- register Payload Auth Middleware in Express
- use collection's custom API
PayloadCMS with AuthJS : Part 1 — Custom AuthJS adapter | by Vladimir Topolev | Numatic Ventures | Medium
PayloadCMS with AuthJS: Part 2 — PayloadCMS custom strategy | by Vladimir Topolev | Numatic Ventures | Medium
thgh/payload-plugin-oauth: Add oAuth sign in to your Payload CMS site Payload 3 ready?
finkinfridom/payload-auth0-plugin: Extends payloadcms with Auth0 integration Payload 3 ready?
Migration
How to migrate from Wordpress to Payload - YouTube
How to migrate from Wordpress to Payload: Part 2 - YouTube
Plugins
Plugins | Documentation | Payload
payload-plugin · GitHub Topics
PayloadCMS Plugins - YouTube Nick Vogel
thgh/payload-plugin-oauth: Add oAuth sign in to your Payload CMS site
finkinfridom/payload-auth0-plugin: Extends payloadcms with Auth0 integration
ScottEAdams/payload-plugin-google-one-tap
payloadcms/plugin-form-builder: The official form builder plugin for Payload
Overview of the Payload Form Builder Plugin - YouTube
payloadcms/plugin-password-protection: The official password protection plugin for Payload
NouanceLabs/payload-simple-rbac: A simple plugin to help you manage permissions in Payload with user roles.
thgh/payload-components: Some custom Payload components
thgh/payload-plugin-resolve-alias: Shorthand to add common webpack aliases
thgh/payload-plugin-body-classname
Teyras/payload-oapi: A Payload CMS plugin for OpenAPI (3.0, 3.1) specification generation
Deployment
Production Deployment | Documentation | Payload
Security Best Practices for Express in Production
Payload CMS & Astro 🚀 Astro Documentation
Remix, Payload in a Single Express Server Monorepo
Next.js
Building a Professionally Designed Website with NextJS, TypeScript, and Payload CMS - YouTube
Discord Thread | Community Help | Payload nextjs-custom-server vs next-payload
NextJS, Payload, and TypeScript in a Single Express Server Boilerplate | Blog | Payload
payloadcms/nextjs-custom-server: A TypeScript boilerplate for combining Payload and Next.js into a single Express server
NextJS custom server is a combination where you run an express server and NextJS app simultaneously.
payloadcms/next-payload: A utility to deploy Payload serverlessly within a Next.js app
The next-payload is a setup where you can deploy Payload "serverlessly" on for example Vercel (which is pretty awesome) directly from your NextJS project
Astro
Payload CMS & Astro 🚀 Astro Documentation
Lambdo-Labs/payloadcms-astro-template: Payload CMS and Astro template