PawPress CMS

A lightweight headless CMS for writers who want control without complexity.

Built directly into your Next.js app. No external services, no monthly fees, no vendor lock-in.

Why This Exists

Most CMS platforms are over-engineered for simple blogs. WordPress requires managing plugins and updates. Headless solutions add pricing tiers and vendor lock-in.

PawPress CMS is a headless content management system built directly into a Next.js application, designed specifically for blog writing and publishing.

What It Does

Clean Writing Interface

Write and manage content in an interface built specifically for blog writing. No unnecessary features, just the tools you need.

Secure Authentication

Built-in authentication ensures only authorized users can create and edit content.

Straightforward Publishing

Draft, publish, and update posts with a workflow that matches how writers actually work.

Performance by Default

Server-side rendering delivers fast page loads and excellent SEO without configuration overhead.

Flexible Content Structure

Structure your content your way. No predefined templates or rigid schemas to work around.

Full Ownership

Your content, your database, your deployment. No third-party service controls your data or charges based on usage.

Key Advantages

No Fees

Unlike Contentful, Sanity, or other headless CMSs, there's no pricing tier that scales with your traffic or content volume.

No Vendor Lock-In

Content lives in your Postgres database in a standard format. Export or migrate anytime without proprietary APIs.

Native Integration

Because the CMS is part of your app, there's no API layer between your content and your pages. Updates appear instantly.

Complete Control

Modify the editor, add custom fields, or change the publishing workflow. You own the entire stack.

How It Works

PawPress CMS integrates directly into a Next.js application using a simple architecture:

Tech Stack

  • Next.js - Application framework and server-side rendering
  • Supabase - Database, authentication, content storage, and real-time features

Architecture

  1. Authors log in through Supabase authentication
  2. Content is created and edited through a custom interface
  3. Posts are stored in the linked Supabase database
  4. Published content is rendered server-side for optimal performance
  5. The entire system deploys as a single Next.js application

The setup is straightforward: initialize a Next.js project, configure Supabase, create the content schema, and build the editor interface. No microservices, no API gateways, no complex infrastructure.

Who This Is For

Ideal For

  • • Solo founders building content-driven products
  • • Developers who want a free, native CMS experience
  • • Projects with straightforward content needs
  • • Anyone who values ownership over their stack

Not Right For

  • • High-level website building tools (drag and drop)
  • • Complex content models with relationships
  • • Projects requiring plugin ecosystems
  • • Organizations preferring managed services

See It In Action

Want to see PawPress CMS in production? Check out the live blog powered by this system.

Final Thoughts

Building a custom CMS isn't always the answer, but for focused use cases, it offers clarity and control that off-the-shelf solutions can't match.

PawPress CMS trades comprehensive features for simplicity. It works well when your requirements are narrow and ownership matters more than convenience.