Agility CMS
Headless content management system supporting composable, API-first architectures
Keystone
Headless CMS with auto-generated GraphQL API and admin UI
Schema-driven Node.js CMS that generates a powerful GraphQL API and beautiful management UI. Build faster without boilerplate while maintaining full backend flexibility.
Overview
Build Content Platforms Without the Boilerplate
Keystone is a TypeScript-based headless CMS and application framework for Node.js that eliminates the tedious scaffolding work of backend development. Define your content schema, and Keystone automatically generates a production-ready GraphQL API alongside an intuitive React-based admin interface for managing your data.
Designed for Developers Who Ship
Targeting teams building content platforms, internal tools, and data-driven applications, Keystone bridges the gap between rigid CMS solutions and time-consuming bespoke backends. Its schema-first approach means you describe your data models once and immediately gain CRUD operations, relationships, authentication, and a polished management UI—no configuration overhead required.
Flexible, Scalable Architecture
Built on modern JavaScript tooling and following semantic versioning, Keystone supports Node.js LTS versions and integrates seamlessly into existing workflows. The framework's elegant APIs let you extend and customize behavior without fighting opinionated constraints, making it suitable for everything from marketing sites to complex enterprise applications. Published under the @keystone-6/* namespace on npm with MIT licensing, it offers the freedom to deploy anywhere Node.js runs.
Highlights
Auto-generated GraphQL API from schema definitions
Built-in React admin UI for content management
Schema-first architecture eliminates boilerplate code
TypeScript-native with full Node.js LTS support
Pros
- Dramatically reduces backend development time with auto-generated APIs
- Beautiful admin interface requires zero frontend work
- Flexible schema system adapts to complex data models
- Active community support via Slack and comprehensive documentation
Considerations
- Requires Node.js expertise and GraphQL familiarity
- TypeScript-first approach may have learning curve for JavaScript-only teams
- Keystone 5 is in maintenance mode; migration required for legacy users
- Documentation guides still expanding according to project notes
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Fit guide
Great for
- Teams building content platforms or headless CMS solutions
- Developers needing rapid backend scaffolding with customization options
- Projects requiring both GraphQL APIs and admin interfaces
- Organizations wanting self-hosted CMS control with modern tooling
Not ideal when
- Teams without Node.js or GraphQL experience
- Projects requiring non-JavaScript backend stacks
- Simple static sites where full CMS capabilities are overkill
- Legacy Keystone 5 users unable to migrate architectures
How teams use it
Marketing Website Backend
Launch a headless CMS for marketing content with auto-generated APIs and editor-friendly admin UI in days instead of weeks
Internal Data Management Tool
Build custom business applications with complex data relationships while Keystone handles CRUD operations and interface generation
Multi-Channel Content Platform
Manage content once via admin UI and distribute through GraphQL to web, mobile, and IoT applications simultaneously
E-commerce Product Catalog
Define product schemas with relationships and variants, gaining instant API access and merchant-friendly management interfaces
Tech snapshot
TypeScript99%
JavaScript1%
HTML1%
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Keystone 5 and Keystone 6?
Keystone 6 is a complete rewrite published under @keystone-6/* on npm with improved APIs and architecture. Keystone 5 is now in maintenance mode in a separate repository.
Do I need to know GraphQL to use Keystone?
While Keystone auto-generates your GraphQL API, understanding GraphQL fundamentals helps you consume the API effectively and customize resolvers when needed.
Can I customize the admin UI?
Yes, Keystone provides a React-based admin interface that can be extended and customized, though the framework generates a functional UI automatically from your schema.
What Node.js versions does Keystone support?
Keystone targets Node.js Maintenance and Active LTS versions, with continuous integration tracking these releases. Other versions may work but aren't officially supported.
Where can I deploy Keystone applications?
Keystone runs anywhere Node.js is supported. Specific deployment guidance is available in the documentation, and the MIT license permits deployment to any infrastructure.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 9,831
- Watchers
- 9,831
- Forks
- 1,246
LicenseMIT
Repo age7 years old
Last commit2 days ago
Self-hostingSupported
Primary languageTypeScript
Last synced 10 hours ago