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.
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
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
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
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