Draft:Craft CMS

Craft CMS was developed by Pixel & Tonic, a company founded by Brandon Kelly.{{Cite web

| title = Pixel & Tonic

| url = https://pixelandtonic.com/

| website = Pixel & Tonic

| access-date = 23 January 2025

}} The initial release took place in 2013, with the goal of providing a more flexible alternative to monolithic CMS platforms. Over time, the platform evolved to include features such as a robust templating engine, localization capabilities, and support for headless architectures.

Craft CMS is written in PHP and utilizes the Yii framework for its underlying architecture. It supports multiple database backends, including MySQL and PostgreSQL. The platform follows a model–view–controller (MVC) structure, providing developers with a modular and extensible framework.

Craft CMS uses the Twig templating language by default, allowing developers to define custom templates and control the presentation layer. This approach separates logic from design, making it easier to maintain and update site layouts.

The system has a plugin architecture that enables developers to add or extend functionality. An official plugin store provides a range of plugins for SEO optimization, caching, content migration, and integration with third-party services.{{Cite web

| title = Craft Plugin Store

| url = https://plugins.craftcms.com/

| website = Craft CMS Plugin Store

| access-date = 23 January 2025

}}

Craft CMS includes a variety of features aimed at supporting different web development needs and content strategies:

• Custom Fields & Content Modeling: Allows for the definition of unique field types and structures tailored to specific project requirements.
• Localization: Offers built-in tools for managing multilingual sites and different regional versions.
• API Integrations: Provides both GraphQL and REST APIs for integrating with external applications or enabling headless deployments.
• Asset Management: Includes a library for uploading, organizing, and editing images or media files from within the control panel.
• User and Role Management: Supports granular permissions and user groups for collaboration among multiple editors.
• Multi-Site Support: Manages multiple websites or brand sites under a single installation, streamlining maintenance.

Craft CMS is employed for a range of website types and industries:

• Corporate and marketing sites
• News and media portals
• E-commerce sites (often using official or third-party e-commerce plugins)
• Education and nonprofit institution websites
• Creative portfolios for designers, photographers, and agencies

Due to its flexibility, developers often select Craft CMS for custom or complex projects requiring precise control over data structures and design.

Numerous digital agencies and independent developers use Craft CMS for client work. The platform's community includes an active forum, Slack channels, and third-party resources offering tutorials, plugins, and integrations.{{Cite web

| title = Community - Craft CMS

| url = https://craftcms.com/community

| website = CraftCMS.com

| access-date = 23 January 2025

}} The official documentation, as well as conferences and webinars, further support new adopters and experienced developers.

Craft CMS is frequently compared to platforms such as WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla for its content modeling capabilities and developer-centric tools. Unlike many traditional CMS solutions, Craft CMS emphasizes a "content-first" approach, minimal pre-built themes, and a higher degree of customization. This often appeals to teams seeking a blank canvas for design and specialized functionality.

Independent reviews frequently highlight Craft CMS's intuitive control panel, flexible templating system, and strong security measures.{{Cite web

| last = Smith

| first = John

| title = In-depth Review of Craft CMS

| url = https://staticmania.com/blog/craft-cms-review

| website = StaticMania

| access-date = 23 January 2025

}} Critics note a steeper learning curve compared to more commonly used CMS solutions, especially for non-technical users accustomed to pre-built themes or one-click installations.

{{reflist}}

• [https://craftcms.com/ Official Craft CMS Website]
• [https://craftcms.com/docs Craft CMS Documentation]
• [https://pixelandtonic.com/ Pixel & Tonic Website]
• [https://plugins.craftcms.com/ Craft CMS Plugin Store]