About cmsRS
When choosing a CMS, it's wise to avoid bloated systems with dozens of plugins that become unmanageable over time. CmsRS was created as the answer to this very problem. It is a clean, well-tested framework built with Laravel and Vue.js. Its core strength lies in code transparency. A developer doesn't need to spend days untangling complex dependencies just to add a simple feature or fix a bug. It's a system that respects a programmer's time.
CmsRS was created with two groups in mind: developers who build websites, and owners who invest in them.
For Developers: Comfort and Predictability.
CmsRS was designed with the developer's comfort in mind. Instead of getting tangled in the complicated legacy code of large systems, you get a clean, modular framework in familiar technologies (Laravel, Vue.js), with full test coverage. This means you can focus on building features, not on days of debugging. The code is predictable and the architecture is logical. This simplicity extends to the database structure as well. Its straightforward and logical design removes another typical layer of complexity (see: Database Schema). Furthermore, the robust coverage provided by unit and integration testing makes updating to newer versions of PHP or Laravel a more predictable and much less arduous process. It simply works and lets you work.
For Project Owners: A Safe and Predictable Investment.
By choosing CmsRS, you're investing not just in a system, but in predictability of costs and timelines. Thanks to its simple architecture and tests, development or modification of a site is faster. You are not dependent on a single developer – any programmer familiar with Laravel and Vue.js can efficiently take over the project. It's a safe, long-term foundation for your website or online store, with no hidden licensing costs.
CmsRS offers native support for multiple languages (e.g., English and Polish) and includes a dedicated online shop module. This system is completely free, and you can download the source code from the GitHub page. To explore the capabilities of this system, I recommend checking out the demo version; this website serves as an example of how the system operates. Unlike other websites dedicated to similar needs, this one stands out because the code was written according to specific standards:
- the frontend has been separated from the backend, with the server providing REST API endpoints (only in the administration area),
- on the server side, I use Laravel, and on the frontend, Vue.js and Pinia (in the admin panel) - knowledge of these technologies is sufficient to further develop the system in the future,
- I have written unit and integration tests for the server-side code (Laravel) and for the administrative panel (Vue.js),
- the application's frontend (visible to the end user) is built using Blade templates with Vue.js.
Advantages of my CMS include:
- content management (adding and editing content),
- the ability to add photos and create thumbnails,
- managing the menu,
- allowing comments on articles,
- SEO module enabling configuration for search engines like Google, with elements such as appropriate link choices (different URLs depending on language) and page titles.
The online store module provides the following capabilities:
- adding products in the admin panel,
- adding products to the cart on the front page,
- logging into the customer zone to view basket contents and orders,
- integration with PayU for payments.
Thanks to my cmsRS, you can create a website relatively simply, even without extensive knowledge of computer programming. To create a website using my CMS (in simplified terms), you need to:
- create the menu,
- create a page and link it to the previously created menu; you can also add images and content to this page.
I recommend my system to anyone planning to develop their website in the future. The system is covered with tests, ensuring better code quality and easier future development. I have currently written 271 unit and integration tests, which cover over 90% of the services' code; details can be found in the coverage test. The logic of the administration panel (Laravel API) and its interface (Vue.js) are independent of each other, communicating through documented REST endpoints (see: REST API). This makes the development and maintenance of the application significantly simpler.
If you plan to have a website in multiple languages, it's advisable to make this decision early in the design process, as later changes involve major application modifications. CmsRS is very flexible in this regard; the website can be written in one language, e.g., English, or multiple languages, e.g., English and Polish, as demonstrated on this website. In each case, URLs are appropriately prepared, which is crucial for search engines like Google.
However, if you plan to create an online store, this system is a good starting point. I believe that adding new functionalities or expanding existing code is easier compared to other complex systems, thanks to unit and integration tests, the use of Laravel as the base framework on the server side, and separation of frontend and backend in the admin panel. Additionally, I find that expanding a less complex system is more advantageous than dealing with a highly complex system with numerous plugins. Simplified code is easier to maintain, potentially improving website speed, performance, and reducing developer frustration during future application changes.
However, in my system, to achieve full functionality of the store, it is necessary to consider the features described at: https://github.com/cmsrs/cmsrs3/issues/21. Many of these aspects require collaboration with the client and an analysis of whether they align with business objectives.
For more information about the installation and configuration process, please visit the GitHub page.
Install the system, launch the demo, and see for yourself how easy it is to work with.
Before installation, you can also see the system in action. A full series of tutorial videos is available here.