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Get Started with Your CMS

This guide will walk you through setting up the Content Management System (CMS). Out of the box, your CMS comes pre-configured with Posts and a Privacy Policy—so you can start managing content immediately. For instructions on running the rest of the project, please refer to the main documentation. Let’s get your CMS up and running quickly.

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⚡️ Setting Up the CMS

  1. Install Dependencies 
    cd apps/cms
bun install
cp .env.example .env
  2. Set Up Your Database
    Tip: The CMS requires a PostgreSQL database. We recommend Supabase (free), but you can use any Postgres instance.
  3. Configure Database Connection Open .env and set the DATABASE_URL to your Supabase or Postgres connection string.
  4. Start the CMS 
    bun turbo run dev --filter cms
  5. Access the CMS Open http://localhost:3003 in your browser. Your CMS will be live on port 3003! 🎉

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⚙️ CMS Configuration

  • Open .env in your code editor.
  • Set your DATABASE_URL to your database connection string.
  • For enhanced security, set PAYLOAD_SECRET to a random string. You can run the following command and paste the result in PAYLOAD_SECRET: 
    openssl rand -hex 32

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🏁 Starting the CMS

bun turbo run dev --filter cms
Then, open http://localhost:3003 in your browser to access the CMS.

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🧭 Next Steps

  • Log in or create an account to explore your CMS.
  • Posts and a Privacy Policy are already set up for you—just click into the relevant sections to view, edit, or add new content.
  • Want to add more pages, posts, or users?
    See the Payload CMS Documentation for more features and customization options.

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🆘 Troubleshooting

  • Database errors:
    Double-check your DATABASE_URL in .env and ensure your database is running.
  • Installation issues:
    Confirm you have Node.js 18+ and either Bun or pnpm installed.
  • Still need help?
    Reach out on our Discord or consult the Payload FAQ.
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