Agility CMS
Headless content management system supporting composable, API-first architectures
Grav
Fast, file-based CMS with zero installation required
Modern flat-file content management system powered by PHP, Markdown, and Twig. No database needed—extract, deploy, and start building immediately with powerful package management.
Overview
What is Grav?
Grav is a file-based web platform that eliminates database complexity while delivering exceptional speed and flexibility. Designed for developers and content creators who value simplicity, Grav requires zero installation—extract the archive and you're running. Its flat-file architecture stores content in Markdown and configuration in YAML, making version control and deployment seamless.
Built on Best-in-Class Technologies
Grav leverages proven components including Twig templating for UI control, Symfony Event Dispatcher for extensibility, Doctrine Cache for performance, and Parsedown for fast Markdown rendering. The integrated Grav Package Manager (GPM) streamlines plugin and theme installation, updates, and core upgrades through simple CLI commands.
Who Should Use Grav
Ideal for developers building marketing sites, documentation portals, blogs, and small-to-medium web projects where database overhead is unnecessary. The PHP 7.3.6+ requirement and Composer support make it accessible to modern PHP developers, while the CLI tooling and Git-friendly file structure appeal to DevOps-minded teams seeking reproducible deployments.
Highlights
Zero-installation flat-file architecture—no database configuration required
Built-in Package Manager (GPM) for CLI-driven plugin, theme, and core updates
Markdown content editing with Twig templating and YAML configuration
Modern PHP foundation using Symfony components and Doctrine caching
Pros
- Instant deployment with no database setup or migration scripts
- Git-friendly file structure enables version control for content and config
- Fast performance through flat-file architecture and integrated caching
- Extensible plugin ecosystem with CLI-based package management
Considerations
- Flat-file approach may not scale for sites with thousands of pages
- Requires PHP 7.3.6+ and command-line access for full functionality
- Limited built-in user management compared to database-driven CMS platforms
- Smaller community and plugin ecosystem than WordPress or Drupal
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Fit guide
Great for
- Marketing sites and landing pages requiring fast deployment cycles
- Documentation portals where content lives in version control
- Developers comfortable with Markdown, YAML, and CLI workflows
- Projects needing portable, database-free hosting environments
Not ideal when
- Large-scale content sites with complex relational data requirements
- Teams requiring visual page builders and non-technical admin interfaces
- Applications needing advanced user roles and permission systems
- Projects where shared hosting lacks SSH or Composer access
How teams use it
Developer Portfolio Site
Deploy a fast, version-controlled portfolio in minutes with Markdown posts and custom Twig templates, no database overhead.
Product Documentation Hub
Maintain technical docs in Git alongside code, using Markdown for content and GPM to manage versioned theme updates.
Agency Landing Pages
Spin up client campaign sites rapidly with pre-built skeletons, then customize via Twig without touching database schemas.
Internal Knowledge Base
Create searchable team documentation with flat files, enabling pull-request workflows for content review and approval.
Tech snapshot
PHP100%
CSS1%
Twig1%
JavaScript1%
Logos1%
Frequently asked questions
Does Grav require a database?
No. Grav is a flat-file CMS that stores content in Markdown files and configuration in YAML, eliminating database setup and maintenance.
What are the minimum server requirements?
PHP 7.3.6 or higher with required modules. Apache or IIS web server support is documented on the official site.
How do I install plugins and themes?
Use the Grav Package Manager (GPM) via CLI: `bin/gpm index` to browse, then `bin/gpm install <name>` to add packages.
Can I use Composer to manage Grav?
Yes. Create a new Grav project with `composer create-project getgrav/grav ~/webroot/grav` for Composer-based workflows.
How do I update Grav core and packages?
Run `bin/gpm selfupgrade` for core updates and `bin/gpm update` for plugins and themes, all through the CLI.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 15,362
- Watchers
- 15,362
- Forks
- 1,423
LicenseMIT
Repo age11 years old
Last commit4 weeks ago
Primary languagePHP
Last synced 2 days ago