Grav

Grav: Fast, Modern Flat-File CMS for Developers

Grav is a modern, fast, and powerful flat-file Content Management System (CMS) that eliminates the need for a database. It leverages plain text files (Markdown and YAML) for content and configuration, making it exceptionally easy to manage, version, and deploy. Grav is designed for speed, flexibility, and simplicity, offering a robust platform for websites, blogs, portfolios, and documentation sites.

The latest major release, Grav 2.0, represents a significant leap forward. It introduces a first-party REST API, a completely rebuilt admin interface using SvelteKit 5 for a seamless Single Page Application experience, and an MCP server for agentic AI integration. This evolution ensures Grav remains at the cutting edge, providing developers with a modern stack including PHP 8.3+, Symfony 7, and Twig 3, while offering enhanced capabilities for both human users and AI agents.

Getting Started with Grav: A Quick Guide

Getting started with Grav is straightforward thanks to its flat-file nature. Simply download the latest version from the official Grav website and extract it to your web server's document root. Grav doesn't require a database, so there's no complex installation or configuration process. You can begin creating content immediately using Markdown files and customizing your site's appearance with themes and plugins. The new Admin 2.0 interface provides an intuitive dashboard for managing all aspects of your website.

Core Functions and Tools in Grav

1. Flat-File CMS — Manages content and configuration using Markdown and YAML files, eliminating database dependency.
2. First-Party API — Provides a robust REST API for headless CMS capabilities, integrations, and programmatic access.
3. Admin 2.0 SPA — A modern, fast, and user-friendly interface built with SvelteKit 5 for content management.
4. MCP Server — Integrates AI agents directly through the API for automated content tasks and management.
5. Performance Optimization — Achieves sub-100ms page loads through aggressive caching and efficient PHP execution.

Ideal Use Cases for Grav

• Developer-focused websites
• Technical documentation portals
• Blogs and personal websites
• Marketing and landing pages
• Small to medium-sized business websites
• Headless CMS implementations

Grav Support and Community Resources

For support and community assistance, Grav offers a dedicated forum and a Discord server. You can find links to these resources on the official Grav website. For inquiries regarding premium themes and plugins, please refer to the Grav Premium section on getgrav.org.