One binary, zero dependencies
Server and admin interface in a single executable. Download, start, done — or use Docker.
v1.0 is out — install it today
The headless CMS that just works.
One binary. One database. One API. Drystone runs on your own server — no plugins to maintain, no configuration maze, and no surprises when you update.
Self-hosted SQLite built in REST + OpenAPI Open source
What it is
Content without complexity
Drystone is a headless CMS you download and start. It writes its data to a single SQLite file, serves a predictable REST API, and ships the admin interface in the same binary.
SQLite built in
No external database to set up. A backup is one file to copy. Postgres stays optional.
Fast by default
Compiled, with ETag and HTTP caching built in. No caching layer to configure first.
Schema as code
Your content model lives in one readable YAML file in git. The visual builder edits that same file.
Editor with drafts and preview
Block-based rich text, autosave, scheduled publishing, and live preview next to your own frontend.
Version history
Every change kept, with a visual diff and one-click restore. Work does not get lost.
Design goals
Built to stay small
These are the limits that shape the design. What does not fit does not go in.
< 60 sFrom download to a working admin
< 20 msp95 for cached API calls
181 MBMemory use when idle, measured
100%Self-hosted, no lock-in
For developers
Schema as code, types included
You define your content model in YAML and put it in version control. Validation, migrations, TypeScript types and the API all follow from it.
schema.yaml
# Your content model, in git collections: articles: fields: title: type: text required: true slug: type: slug from: title body: type: richtext
REST API
// Predictable, with an OpenAPI spec GET /api/v1/articles { "data": [ { "id": "1", "title": "Hello World" } ], "meta": { "count": 1 } }
Get started
From nothing to a running admin in under a minute
One command downloads the binary for your platform, verifies its checksum and initialises your project. Node is only the delivery channel — Drystone itself runs as a compiled binary with no runtime to install.
bash
# 1 — create a project npx create-drystone-cms@latest my-site # 2 — start it, with the first admin account cd my-site DRYSTONE_ADMIN_EMAIL=you@example.com \ DRYSTONE_ADMIN_PASSWORD=******** ./drystone start # 3 — you now have an API and an admin UI → http://localhost:3000/api/v1 → http://localhost:3000/admin