Agility CMS
Headless content management system supporting composable, API-first architectures
ApostropheCMS
Full-stack Node.js CMS with in-context editing and headless flexibility
Build websites with ApostropheCMS using Node.js and MongoDB. Content teams edit directly on live pages while developers enjoy headless flexibility and modern JavaScript tooling.
Overview
Modern CMS for Full-Stack JavaScript Teams
ApostropheCMS is a full-stack content management system built on Node.js and MongoDB that bridges the gap between developer experience and content creator needs. Unlike traditional CMSs that force editors into separate admin panels, ApostropheCMS delivers in-context editing—content teams modify pages directly on the live site, seeing changes instantly.
Flexible Architecture for Any Workflow
Developers can build traditional server-rendered sites or go fully headless with React, Vue, Astro, or any modern framework. The platform includes Astro starter kits that combine headless architecture with visual editing, eliminating manual REST API integration. Built with ES6+ modules, Vite, and contemporary JavaScript patterns, it scales from small sites to enterprise applications managing millions of pages.
Enterprise-Ready with Pro Extensions
Core features include advanced permissions, workflow management, and developer-first extensibility. Optional Pro extensions add automated translation with DeepL and Google Translate, multisite management, analytics, performance optimization, and dedicated support. Deploy anywhere Node.js runs or choose managed ApostropheCMS hosting for turnkey solutions with optimized performance.
Highlights
In-context editing lets content creators modify live pages without switching to admin interfaces
Headless-ready architecture works with Astro, React, Vue, or any frontend framework via REST APIs
Built on Node.js and MongoDB for full-stack JavaScript development with ES6+ and Vite
Scales from small sites to enterprise applications with advanced permissions and workflow management
Pros
- In-context editing dramatically improves content team productivity and reduces training time
- Full-stack JavaScript environment eliminates context switching for Node.js developers
- Flexible deployment options support traditional rendering and headless architectures equally well
- Active community with Discord support and comprehensive documentation
Considerations
- Requires Node.js 20+ and MongoDB 6.0+ infrastructure, limiting hosting options versus PHP-based CMSs
- Smaller plugin ecosystem compared to WordPress or Drupal
- Advanced features like automated translation and multisite management require paid Pro extensions
- Learning curve for developers unfamiliar with MongoDB document modeling patterns
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Fit guide
Great for
- Full-stack JavaScript teams building custom websites and web applications
- Organizations prioritizing content editor experience with in-context editing workflows
- Projects requiring both traditional CMS and headless architecture flexibility
- Enterprise teams needing advanced permissions, workflow, and multisite management
Not ideal when
- Teams without Node.js expertise or unable to deploy JavaScript server environments
- Projects requiring extensive third-party plugin ecosystems like WordPress marketplace
- Budget-constrained projects needing enterprise features without Pro license costs
- Simple blogs or sites better served by static site generators or simpler CMSs
How teams use it
Marketing Website with Content Team Autonomy
Marketing teams update pages, landing pages, and campaigns directly on live site without developer intervention, accelerating content velocity while maintaining brand consistency
Headless CMS for Astro or React Frontend
Developers build modern frontend with preferred framework while content creators retain visual editing experience, eliminating typical headless CMS usability trade-offs
Enterprise Multisite Platform
Organizations manage multiple branded sites from single dashboard with shared resources, centralized user management, and automated translation across markets using Pro extensions
High-Traffic Content Portal
Publishers scale to millions of pages with MongoDB's document flexibility, advanced caching, CDN integration, and workflow management for editorial teams
Tech snapshot
JavaScript76%
Vue23%
SCSS1%
HTML1%
CSS1%
Shell1%
Frequently asked questions
What makes ApostropheCMS different from WordPress or Drupal?
ApostropheCMS is built entirely in JavaScript (Node.js) and offers in-context editing where content creators edit directly on live pages. It's designed for modern JavaScript developers and supports both traditional and headless architectures natively, unlike retrofitted headless solutions.
Can I use ApostropheCMS headlessly with React, Vue, or other frameworks?
Yes. ApostropheCMS provides REST APIs for any frontend framework. Astro starter kits include automatic content fetching, while React, Vue, and Svelte projects integrate via the documented REST API. Content creators retain in-context editing regardless of frontend choice.
What are the system requirements for running ApostropheCMS?
Node.js 20.x or higher, MongoDB 6.0 or higher, and npm 10.x or higher. You can use MongoDB Atlas for cloud hosting or install MongoDB locally. The platform runs anywhere Node.js is supported.
What features require a Pro license versus the core platform?
Core ApostropheCMS includes in-context editing, headless APIs, permissions, and workflow. Pro extensions add automated translation (DeepL, Google Translate, Azure), multisite management, advanced analytics, performance optimization, and dedicated professional support.
How does in-context editing work technically?
Content creators log in and edit text, images, and widgets directly on the live page preview. Changes appear instantly without switching to separate admin panels. Developers define editable regions and content types; the platform handles the editing interface automatically.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 4,513
- Watchers
- 4,513
- Forks
- 622
Repo age12 years old
Last commit4 hours ago
Primary languageJavaScript
Last synced 52 minutes ago