Craft CMS 5: A leap forward in data modeling and the authoring experience

Tech Drop#

with Michael Van Dorth, Senior Engineer

Craft CMS, our content management system of choice, has released a significant update with Craft CMS 5. Craft’s update brings many improvements to enhance data modeling, performance, and the overall authoring experience.

In this tech drop I’m excited to share some of the key enhancements this release offers and how they impact developers, site owners, marketers, and authors.

Decoupled entry types and reusable fields#

One of Craft CMS 5’s standout features is the decoupling of entry types from sections, which allows for greater flexibility in data structuring.

Entry types can now be utilized for sections and matrix blocks, offering reusable data structures. Developers can streamline data modeling by reusing entry types across multiple sections, assets, or matrix blocks, leading to cleaner and more efficient content structures.

Additionally, the ability to reuse fields within the same section or matrix block simplifies content creation and management. Developers no longer need to create separate fields for similar content elements; instead, they can leverage a single field instance and customize its labels and instructions as needed, reducing clutter and improving efficiency.

Reusable fields in the same entry type Creating fields on the fly from the entry type field layout

Performance enhancements and lazy eager loading#

Craft CMS 5 introduces significant performance improvements by optimizing the storage of field data in the database.

By storing field data as JSON in a single column, the system can more efficiently handle complex data structures, potentially enhancing performance.

Furthermore, I’m excited about the introduction of Lazy Eager Loading. Lazy Eager Loading simplifies the process of optimizing performance when outputting complex data structures in Twig templates, offering a more seamless developer experience.

Using entry types for matrix blocks Selecting how nested entries should appear in the matrix field

An enhanced authoring experience#

For site owners and content editors, Craft CMS 5 brings several enhancements to the CMS UI and authoring experience. Inline editing of multiple entries, represented as clickable and editable cards, streamlines content management tasks.

Additionally, color coding and the ability to add icons to matrix block types improve content organization and navigation within the CMS.

How card views, icons and color coding of entry types looks in a page builder field

Impact on development and plugins#

The improvements in Craft CMS 5 will significantly impact development practices and existing plugins. At Foster Commerce, we anticipate more efficient data modeling, reduced development time, and enhanced editorial control over content structures.

For example, with this latest release, we can imagine an update to our plugin, Entry Type Rules. We could expand its capabilities, offering finer control over matrix blocks and further customization options for content management.

Using entry types as content blocks in the CKEditor plugin

Benefits for businesses and marketers#

For B2B merchants and businesses, Craft CMS 5’s enhancements translate to streamlined development processes, a more intuitive authoring experience, and, ultimately, better content management.

Marketers and authors can expect a more user-friendly environment for creating and managing content, which will increase productivity and improve content quality.

Conclusion#

Craft CMS 5 represents a significant milestone in the platform’s evolution. Its improvements cater to developers and content editors alike. Craft CMS continues to solidify its position as a competitive choice for businesses seeking a robust and customizable content management solution by prioritizing flexibility, performance, and usability.

Craft CMS 5’s final release promises to be a game-changer for the Craft community and businesses, offering a modern and efficient platform for building dynamic and engaging digital experiences.

Hero image created from a template by Freepik.