Cradle CMS
All-in-one system with backend, frontend server, admin UI, and REST API for managing your web projects.
- Buy once, use forever
- Unlimited sites, domains, users and content
- Self-hosted with a docker installation
- Supports Sqlite, Postgres and Cockroach
- Native filesystem or S3 storage
Introducing Cradle CMS
CradleCMS is an easy to setup and reliable web publishing platform where you can create blogs, write articles and web pages in an admin UI that is fast. You can install it on-premises or in the cloud, run the whole system on a single server or split into multiple servers.
Efficient, reliable and scalable
One of our goals when creating CradleCMS was to develop a system simple to setup, runs efficiently on a single board computer yet can be scaled into a fully distributed system.
CradleCMS supports SQLite, PostgreSQL and CockroachDB with native file storage or S3 object storage.
Admin accessability
Our admin UI supports light and dark mode as well as several other admin-themes for a more fun admin experience and to aid the visually impaired. The admin settings are configurable per user.
Core features
SEO
Sitemaps and robots
Dynamic sitemap generation for improved search engine visibility and indexing and a configurable robots.txt to control the scope of crawlers.
SECURITY
Automatic https certificates
Supports automatic https certificates from Let's Encrypt and other ACME compliant providers.
FILES
Storage options
For file storage we support the native file system (on shared or local disk) and Object storage (s3).
FEEDS
Atom + RSS and Blogroll
Each blog generates an Atom + RSS feed and a Blogroll so that your readership can subscribe to your content.
PROXY
Proxy protocol and headers
You can load balance multiple frontend servers by using the proxy protocol. Or you can whitelist trusted proxy headers when proxy protocol is not available.
LOGS
Structured logs
The server logs are in json format and streamed over the message bus so it's easy to store and filter every event.
BACKEND
Databases
On the backend we support Sqlite3, Postgres or CockroachDB. On a SBC use sqlite3, otherwise use Postgres or Cockroach if you want a distributed solution.
EXTENSIONS
REST API
We have a comprehensive API which is fully utilised by our own admin. To create your own integration you setup a plugin with specific read/write access permissions to the API.
CONFIG
System configuration
Configuration is stored centrally in toml format and distributed through the message bus. You can additionally configure using docker secrets and environment variables.
EDITOR
Content editors
We have a built in Rich Text Editor (RTE), Markdown (MD) and a Markup (HTML) editor. Which one you use depends on the type of content you write.
EDITOR
Code editor
For theme files we have a built in editor that is fast and easy to use. It contains a file browser where you can upload, rename and delete files and an editor window with syntax validation and error reporting.
EDITOR
Theme settings
A quick and easy way to configure a theme is by using the theme settings editor. There you can change colors, fonts, upload images and much more. All the various options you can set are configurable.
EDITOR
Navigation editor
The navigation editor allows you to create links to all your content in a tree like structure. Typically you setup a 'menu' and 'footer' navigation tree.
FORMS
Form builder
With the form builder it's easy to create web forms. Form postings are filtered and validated and you can read them in the admin. Form posts can optionally be forwarded by email.
Outgoing email
The admin server can send email through any standard SMTP service. Email is used (mainly) for user account invites and as a password recovery method.
LANGUAGE
Multi-language
You can easily setup and use multiple languages for your content. Each domain you add also has a language preference.
ROUTES
URL routing
URL routes are configurable and translatable in the admin. This gives you the flexibility you want when linking your content.
DOCS
Documentation
We have built in API documentation in the system. There you also find swagger definitions so you can create API clients.
Multiple sites, there's no limit
It's easy to create multiple sites and have separate site admins through our user invite function.
There's no limit in number of domains, capacity or performance, you are in control.
Server side and client side rendering
We use an industry proven server side templating language which has been popularised through Django(python), Twig(php), and Liquid(ruby).
For client side rendering just include and use your favourite framework (react, vue, alpine, htmx).
Technical specs
Contains
A backend, frontend server, and admin user interface with REST API. Built-in content models for blogs, articles and pages. Site themes fully accessible and customisable with liquid, HTML, CSS, and JS.
Installation
Cradle CMS is installed with Podman or Docker on a Linux server.
Installation guide
Requirements
Linux server (ARM or AMD 64-bit): Minimum 1 CPU, 512MB RAM, 3GB storage (storage can be a mix of local/shared disk or on S3 compatible storage)
Compatibility
Linux server, ARM or AMD 64-bit
Licensing
Perpetual single organisation license including 12-months of support and upgrades. After a year, the software will continue to work as before and you can opt in to upgrade later. Support is through email where you can expect answers within 24 hours on working days (mon-fri). Support is intended to give advise on product configuration, error reporting, server requirements and integrations.
FAQ
How much does the upgrades cost?
If you renew your licence within year one from purchase you get a 60% discount on list price, year two 40% and year three 20%.
Where can I find the License Agreement?
Our EULA (End User Licence Agreement) can be found here.
Are refunds possible?
Yes, we have a 14-days, no questions asked, refund policy!
Is this a multi-user license?
Yes, although the licence is a single-organisation licence, but the amount of users and sites are without limitation.
Is there a student discount?
Yes, we like to support students. Send us an email at hi@cradlecms.com to request a licence for Cradle CMS.
Is it possible to crossgrade CMS to eCommerce?
Yes, you need to install the eCommerce platform and do some post install setup for it to work.
Do you have customer support?
Yes, just send us an email at support@cradlecms.com, answers are typically given within 24 hours on working days. Support is intended to give advise on product configuration, error reporting, server requirements and integrations.