Headless CMS

Grav

An open source flat-file CMS with a first-party API and modern SPA admin interface.

Overview

Grav is a fast, flat-file content management system that uses Markdown and YAML for content and configuration. It features a modern SPA admin built on SvelteKit, a first-party REST API, and a native MCP server for AI agent integration.

Updated Oct 21, 2026

11 things

What Grav has

For developers

Programmatic access to the product's data and features for developers.
Run the software on your own servers instead of the vendor's cloud.
A command-line interface that lets you run the tool from a terminal or scripts.
A Model Context Protocol server that lets AI tools connect to and act on your data.
A machine-readable description of an API's endpoints and request formats.
A toolkit that lets developers build on the product using their preferred programming language.

For teams

Multiple people can work on the same content simultaneously and see each other's changes live.

Hosting and storage

A vendor-operated service that runs and maintains software on its own infrastructure.

Support

Real people you can contact when you need help with the tool.
Expert services that help organizations plan, implement, or improve their work processes.

Extras

An online space where users can connect, share tips, and help each other.

9 features

Key Features

Agent access
The first-party MCP server gives agentic AI the same access as a human admin. Zero extra wiring, same permission model.
Blueprint compatibility
Every blueprint, form field, and workflow you already use just works .
File-based content
Your content is a folder of files. Git-version it, rsync it, move it anywhere. Zero lock-in.
Documentation platform
Flat-file + Markdown + Git is the perfect foundation for technical docs. Pair it with Helios and you have a world-class documentation stack.
Versioned documentation
Your docs live as plain Markdown , version-controlled alongside your code.
Fast rendering
No database round-trips mean pages render in under 100ms.
Flexible site structure
Personal blogs, company sites, large documentation hubs, and everything in between. If you can structure it in folders, you can build it with Grav.
Multilingual content
Built-in internationalization. Ship the same content in every language you need.
Flat-file content
No database. Your content is a folder of files: versioned, portable, zero lock-in.

Pros and cons

Pros

Flat-file system eliminates database complexity and enhances portability.
Modern SPA admin interface with real-time collaboration and customizable dashboard.
First-party REST API enables headless CMS and automation workflows.
Built-in MCP server supports AI agent integration with consistent permissions.
High performance with sub-100ms page loads and modern PHP stack.

Cons

No official structured pricing plans for premium features; some advanced plugins/themes are paid.
Requires familiarity with Markdown, YAML, and PHP for advanced customization.
Limited out-of-the-box WYSIWYG editing compared to some CMS platforms.
Community size smaller than major CMS like WordPress or Drupal.
Hosting requires PHP 8.3+ which might not be available on all servers.

Developer features

Admin application
The classic admin has been completely replaced . Admin 2.0 is a modern single-page application built on SvelteKit 5, Vite, and Tailwind 4 , talking to Grav through the new first-party API.
REST API
A stable REST API powers the admin, respects Grav’s permission model, and is plugin-extensible. Headless frontends, CI/CD, mobile apps: all first-class citizens.
API-based operations
Every operation in the admin is a call against the first-party API : the same API your code, your CI pipeline, and your agents talk to. Headless when you want it, monolithic when you don’t.
Documentation automation
And with the Grav 2 API, your docs become automatable : regenerate from source, ship on CI, publish from agents.
Image processing
Resize, crop, and optimize with a fluent API. Responsive images on autopilot.

You?

Be the first to rate Grav

Your review helps others make better decisions. No account needed. Takes about 10 seconds.

0 questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Community reviews

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Community reviews

Write a review

No written reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.

11 things

What Grav has

For developers

Programmatic access to the product's data and features for developers.
Run the software on your own servers instead of the vendor's cloud.
A command-line interface that lets you run the tool from a terminal or scripts.
A Model Context Protocol server that lets AI tools connect to and act on your data.
A machine-readable description of an API's endpoints and request formats.
A toolkit that lets developers build on the product using their preferred programming language.

For teams

Multiple people can work on the same content simultaneously and see each other's changes live.

Hosting and storage

A vendor-operated service that runs and maintains software on its own infrastructure.

Support

Real people you can contact when you need help with the tool.
Expert services that help organizations plan, implement, or improve their work processes.

Extras

An online space where users can connect, share tips, and help each other.

9 features

Key Features

Agent access
The first-party MCP server gives agentic AI the same access as a human admin. Zero extra wiring, same permission model.
Blueprint compatibility
Every blueprint, form field, and workflow you already use just works .
File-based content
Your content is a folder of files. Git-version it, rsync it, move it anywhere. Zero lock-in.
Documentation platform
Flat-file + Markdown + Git is the perfect foundation for technical docs. Pair it with Helios and you have a world-class documentation stack.
Versioned documentation
Your docs live as plain Markdown , version-controlled alongside your code.
Fast rendering
No database round-trips mean pages render in under 100ms.
Flexible site structure
Personal blogs, company sites, large documentation hubs, and everything in between. If you can structure it in folders, you can build it with Grav.
Multilingual content
Built-in internationalization. Ship the same content in every language you need.
Flat-file content
No database. Your content is a folder of files: versioned, portable, zero lock-in.

Pros and cons

Pros

Flat-file system eliminates database complexity and enhances portability.
Modern SPA admin interface with real-time collaboration and customizable dashboard.
First-party REST API enables headless CMS and automation workflows.
Built-in MCP server supports AI agent integration with consistent permissions.
High performance with sub-100ms page loads and modern PHP stack.

Cons

No official structured pricing plans for premium features; some advanced plugins/themes are paid.
Requires familiarity with Markdown, YAML, and PHP for advanced customization.
Limited out-of-the-box WYSIWYG editing compared to some CMS platforms.
Community size smaller than major CMS like WordPress or Drupal.
Hosting requires PHP 8.3+ which might not be available on all servers.

Developer features

Admin application
The classic admin has been completely replaced . Admin 2.0 is a modern single-page application built on SvelteKit 5, Vite, and Tailwind 4 , talking to Grav through the new first-party API.
REST API
A stable REST API powers the admin, respects Grav’s permission model, and is plugin-extensible. Headless frontends, CI/CD, mobile apps: all first-class citizens.
API-based operations
Every operation in the admin is a call against the first-party API : the same API your code, your CI pipeline, and your agents talk to. Headless when you want it, monolithic when you don’t.
Documentation automation
And with the Grav 2 API, your docs become automatable : regenerate from source, ship on CI, publish from agents.
Image processing
Resize, crop, and optimize with a fluent API. Responsive images on autopilot.

You?

Be the first to rate Grav

Your review helps others make better decisions. No account needed. Takes about 10 seconds.

0 questions

Grav

Overview

What Grav has

For developers

For teams

Hosting and storage

Support

Extras

Key Features

Agent access

Blueprint compatibility

File-based content

Documentation platform

Versioned documentation

Fast rendering

Flexible site structure

Multilingual content

Flat-file content

Pros and cons

Pros

Cons

Developer features

Admin application

REST API

API-based operations

Documentation automation

Image processing

Be the first to rate Grav

Frequently Asked Questions

What Grav has

For developers

For teams

Hosting and storage

Support

Extras

Key Features

Agent access

Blueprint compatibility

File-based content

Documentation platform

Versioned documentation

Fast rendering

Flexible site structure

Multilingual content

Flat-file content

Pros and cons

Pros

Cons

Developer features

Admin application

REST API

API-based operations

Documentation automation

Image processing

Be the first to rate Grav

Frequently Asked Questions

More in Headless CMS

More in Headless CMS