PayloadCMS

Prerequsits

As of writing this article (May, 2025), PayloadCMS↗ has the following requirements:

• Any JavaScript package manager (pnpm, npm, or yarn)
• Node.js version 20+ : Install Node from the official website↗ if needed
• Any compatible database↗ (MongoDB, Postgres or SQLite) : For simplicity of this architecture we are using SQLite

You can find the latest prerequisite and information here↗.

Installation

Run the following command to kick off installation:

1npx create-payload-app@latest -t website

You'll be asked a few questions:

First run

1cd payload-cms
2npm run dev

Once PayloadCMS starts up for the first time, it will automatically initialise and provide the URL to access the default frontend.

To manage content, navigate to the admin panel (typically at http://localhost:3000/admin) where you'll be prompted to create your initial admin user account.

Node.js

Prerequsits

Next.js↗ also runs Node, so no extras required above and beyond what you have already done.

The getting-started guides and documents can be found here↗

Installation

Run the following command to kick off installation:

1npx create-next-app@latest

You'll be asked a few questions:

First run

1cd frontend
2npm run dev

Once next.js starts up for the first time, it will automatically initialise and provide the URL to access the default frontend.

With a running CMS and Frontend, it's time to start customising.