Agility CMS
Headless content management system supporting composable, API-first architectures
Craft Cms
Flexible PHP CMS for bespoke content and headless experiences
Self-hosted content management system with clean-slate content modeling, Twig templating, auto-generated GraphQL API, and built-in ecommerce for custom digital experiences.
Overview
Build Without Constraints
Craft CMS is a self-hosted PHP application designed for developers and content teams who need complete control over their digital experiences. Unlike opinionated platforms, Craft takes a clean-slate approach to content modeling—making zero assumptions about your content structure so you can build exactly what your project demands.
Powerful Features, Flexible Architecture
The platform combines an intuitive control panel for content creators with a fast Twig-based templating system for developers. An auto-generated GraphQL API enables headless and decoupled architectures, while the built-in ecommerce platform supports bespoke commerce experiences. Extend functionality through hundreds of plugins in the integrated Plugin Store or leverage the robust framework for custom development.
Production-Ready Infrastructure
Craft connects to MySQL or PostgreSQL databases and runs on standard PHP hosting environments. The active community provides support through Discord, Stack Exchange, and extensive official documentation. Whether you're building marketing sites, member portals, or complex multi-channel platforms, Craft delivers the flexibility and performance needed for modern content experiences.
Highlights
Clean-slate content modeling with no predefined structures or assumptions
Auto-generated GraphQL API for headless and decoupled applications
Built-in ecommerce platform for custom commerce experiences
Twig-based templating system with robust extension framework
Pros
- Highly flexible content modeling adapts to any project requirements
- Intuitive control panel balances power with user-friendliness
- Strong developer experience with modern templating and GraphQL support
- Active community and extensive plugin ecosystem
Considerations
- Self-hosted solution requires server management and maintenance
- Steeper learning curve compared to opinionated, convention-based CMSs
- PHP hosting requirements may limit deployment options
- Commercial license required for production use beyond trial
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Fit guide
Great for
- Agencies building custom client sites with unique content requirements
- Teams needing both traditional and headless CMS capabilities
- Projects requiring integrated ecommerce with content management
- Developers who value flexibility over convention-driven workflows
Not ideal when
- Teams seeking fully managed, cloud-only SaaS solutions
- Projects with limited PHP hosting or server administration resources
- Simple blogs or sites better served by opinionated platforms
- Organizations requiring enterprise support contracts out-of-the-box
How teams use it
Multi-Channel Marketing Platform
Manage content once and deliver to web, mobile apps, and digital signage via GraphQL API while maintaining brand consistency across channels.
Custom Ecommerce Experience
Build unique product catalogs and checkout flows that integrate seamlessly with content marketing and editorial workflows in a single platform.
Member Portal with Gated Content
Create sophisticated user permissions and content access rules with custom fields and relationships tailored to membership tiers.
Agency Client Sites
Deliver bespoke content models and intuitive editing experiences that match each client's workflow without forcing predefined structures.
Tech snapshot
PHP78%
JavaScript14%
Twig4%
SCSS2%
Vue2%
TypeScript1%
Frequently asked questions
What are the server requirements for Craft CMS?
Craft is a self-hosted PHP application that connects to MySQL or PostgreSQL databases. Specific version requirements and server specifications are detailed in the official documentation.
Can Craft CMS be used for headless or decoupled architectures?
Yes, Craft includes an auto-generated GraphQL API that enables headless implementations, allowing you to use modern frontend frameworks while managing content in Craft.
Does Craft CMS include ecommerce functionality?
Craft features a built-in ecommerce platform designed for creating custom commerce experiences integrated with your content management workflows.
How extensible is Craft CMS?
Craft offers a robust extension framework and includes a built-in Plugin Store with hundreds of free and commercial plugins. Developers can create custom plugins for advanced functionality.
What templating system does Craft use?
Craft uses Twig, a fast and flexible templating engine that provides powerful features while maintaining readable, designer-friendly syntax.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 3,526
- Watchers
- 3,526
- Forks
- 684
Repo age8 years old
Last commit51 minutes ago
Self-hostingSupported
Primary languagePHP
Last synced 48 minutes ago