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Payload

  • 44k repo stars
  • Updated August 5, 2026
  • payloadcms/payload

Build with Payload CMS — define collections and fields, wire hooks and access control, add plugins, and configure database adapters.

About

payload is a development plugin for Payload CMS covering collections, fields, hooks, access control, plugins, and database adapters. Backend developers use it when modeling content, enforcing access rules, and wiring data sources in a Payload-based application so the generated code follows the framework's conventions.

  • Collections and fields
  • Hooks and access control
  • Plugins
  • Database adapters

Payload by the numbers

  • Data as of Aug 5, 2026 (Skillselion catalog sync)
/plugin marketplace add payloadcms/payload
/plugin install payload@payload-marketplace

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repo stars44k
Last updatedAugust 5, 2026
Repositorypayloadcms/payload

What it does

Build with Payload CMS — define collections and fields, wire hooks and access control, add plugins, and configure database adapters.

README.md

Payload Skill for Claude Code

Claude Code skill providing comprehensive guidance for Payload development with TypeScript patterns, field configurations, hooks, access control, and API examples.

Installation

From GitHub

Install this skill directly from the Payload repository:

/plugin install github:payloadcms/payload

What's Included

The payload skill provides expert guidance on:

  • Collections: Auth, uploads, drafts, live preview configurations
  • Fields: All field types including relationships, arrays, blocks, joins, virtual fields
  • Hooks: beforeChange, afterChange, beforeValidate, field hooks
  • Access Control: Collection, field, and global access patterns including RBAC and multi-tenant
  • Queries: Local API, REST, and GraphQL with complex operators
  • Database Adapters: MongoDB, Postgres, SQLite configurations and transactions
  • Advanced Features: Jobs queue, custom endpoints, localization, plugins

Usage

Once installed, Claude will automatically invoke the skill when you're working on Payload CMS projects. The skill activates when you:

  • Edit payload.config.ts files
  • Work with collection or global configurations
  • Ask about Payload-specific patterns
  • Need guidance on fields, hooks, or access control

You can also explicitly invoke it:

@payload how do I implement row-level access control?

Documentation Structure

skills/payload/
├── SKILL.md                              # Main skill file with quick reference
└── reference/
    ├── FIELDS.md                         # All field types and configurations
    ├── COLLECTIONS.md                    # Collection patterns
    ├── HOOKS.md                          # Hook patterns and examples
    ├── ACCESS-CONTROL.md                 # Basic access control
    ├── ACCESS-CONTROL-ADVANCED.md        # Advanced access patterns
    ├── QUERIES.md                        # Query patterns and APIs
    ├── ADAPTERS.md                       # Database and storage adapters
    └── ADVANCED.md                       # Jobs, endpoints, localization

Resources

License

MIT

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