payloadcms-opslisted

# Payload CMS Operations Authoritative reference for **Payload 3.x** — the Next.js-native, TypeScript-first headless CMS. Payload 3 **installs into a Next.js (App Router) app** and gives you an auto-generated admin panel, REST + GraphQL APIs, a typed Local API, authentication, access control, file storage, and live preview — one open-source TypeScript codebase. > **Version note (verified against payloadcms.com/docs, 2026-06):** Payload 3 is the **Next.js fullstack framework** — there is no standalone Express server anymore. The config lives at `src/payload.config.ts`; Payload mounts into the Next App Router via the installed `(payload)` route group. Don't ship Payload 2.x "standalone Express app" guidance. --- ## Architecture at a glance | Piece | What it is | |-------|-----------| | **payload.config.ts** | Single source of truth: collections, globals, db adapter, plugins, admin, auth | | **Collections** | Repeatable document groups (Posts, Users, Media) — the core building block | | **Globals** | Singletons (one document) — site settings, header/footer nav | | **Fields** | Compose document shape; also drive admin UI, validation, access | | **Local API** | Typed, in-process data access (`payload.find(...)`) — no HTTP, runs server-side | | **REST / GraphQL** | Auto-generated HTTP APIs over the same collections | | **Database adapter** | `@payloadcms/db-postgres`, `db-mongodb`, or `db-sqlite` | | **Storage adapter** | Local disk (dev) or S3/R2/etc. for uploads | ### Where