
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)
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| repo stars | ★ 44k |
|---|---|
| Last updated | August 5, 2026 |
| Repository | payloadcms/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.tsfiles - 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