Decap CMS
Open source content management for your Git workflow
About Decap CMS
Decap CMS (formerly Netlify CMS) is a free, open-source Git-based content management system that provides editors with a friendly UI while storing all content as Markdown, YAML, or JSON files in your Git repository. It works with any static site generator and requires no database.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free and open source with MIT license
- No database required — content lives in your Git repo with full version history
- Easy two-file setup integrates with any static site generator
- Editorial workflow lets non-technical editors manage content without touching code
- Formerly Netlify CMS with a large community and ecosystem
Cons
- Not suited for large-scale dynamic content or complex relational data
- UI can feel dated compared to modern headless CMS platforms
- Limited real-time collaboration features compared to commercial alternatives
- Requires technical setup and Git infrastructure knowledge
Key Features
Git-Based Content Storage
All content stored as files in your Git repository — no database needed, full version control built in
Rich Text Editor
Web-based WYSIWYG editor with rich-text editing, real-time preview, and drag-and-drop media uploads
Static Site Generator Support
Works with Hugo, Jekyll, Gatsby, Next.js, Eleventy, and virtually any static site generator
Editorial Workflow
Content workflow management with draft, review, and publish states for team collaboration
Flexible Content Types
Unlimited custom fields configured via simple YAML — define any content structure you need
Extensible Architecture
React-based customization for previews, UI widgets, and editor plugins
Multiple Auth Providers
Authenticate via GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, or Netlify Identity with Git Gateway for non-GitHub users
Pricing
- All features included
- Unlimited content types
- Git-based storage
- Editorial workflow
- Community support
Best For
Jamstack Websites
Add a content management layer to static sites built with Hugo, Jekyll, Gatsby, or Next.js
Developer Blogs
Let writers and editors manage blog posts through a GUI while content stays in Git
Documentation Sites
Manage documentation content with version control and editorial workflows
Small Business Websites
Empower non-technical team members to update website content without developer assistance
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