🛠️ Payload CMS 3.0 Development Accelerator (MCP)

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💡 Core Functionality

This MCP utility acts as a centralized authority for building high-quality Payload CMS applications. It integrates deep knowledge of Payload's architecture to provide developers with prescriptive guidance and automation.

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✨ Key Capabilities Overview

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⚙️ Toolset Reference (Payload CMS 3.0)

Structural Verification Suite

• verify_structure - Audits Payload code artifacts (collections, fields, configurations) for adherence to defined standards.
• lookup_policy - Retrieves and explains specific validation rules or architectural guidelines for given Payload entities.
• structural_query - Allows for declarative, SQL-like interrogation of the defined Payload schema structure.

Boilerplate Generation Suite

• synthesize_artifact - Generates starting code templates for diverse Payload elements.
• build_data_model - Creates comprehensive definitions for new Payload collections.
• define_field_schema - Outputs properly typed and configured field definitions.

Initial Setup Suite

• bootstrap_environment - Initializes a complete, validated Payload CMS project directory structure.
• check_scaffold_config - Internal utility to verify initialization parameters against required standards.

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📝 Command Dictionary

Structural Verification Suite

verify_structure

Validates the provided Payload CMS code fragment.

Parameters: - code_payload (string): The source code snippet to analyze. - artifact_type (enum): Specifies the nature of the code: "collection", "field_definition", "global_config", or "main_configuration".

Example Prompt:

Run structural verification on the following Payload collection definition; check for missing access controls.

javascript export const Articles = { slug: 'articles', fields: [ { name: 'title', type: 'text' } ] }

lookup_policy

Queries the internal knowledge base for best practices.

Parameters: - policy_target (string): The specific feature or area to query (e.g., "access_control", "field_localization"). - context_scope (optional enum): Narrow the search scope ("collection", "global").

Example Prompt:

Explain the recommended pattern for implementing transient fields within a Payload CMS global configuration.

structural_query

Executes declarative queries against the known Payload schema components.

Parameters: - query_syntax (string): A declarative query statement.

Example Prompt:

Execute this structural query to list all fields using the 'upload' type across all current collection definitions. SELECT field_name, parent_collection FROM payload_structure WHERE field_type = 'upload'

Boilerplate Generation Suite

synthesize_artifact

Generates canonical starting points for various components.

Parameters: - artifact_kind (enum): Target component type - "collection_config", "field_type", "security_policy", "lifecycle_hook", "custom_route", "extension_plugin", "content_block", "data_migration". - configuration_map (record): Input parameters defining the artifact's structure.

Example Prompt:

Synthesize a lifecycle hook for Payload CMS that automatically populates the 'updatedAt' field upon any document modification.

build_data_model

Generates a complete Payload CMS collection blueprint.

Parameters: - collection_identifier (string): The unique slug for the collection. - field_definitions (optional array): Array of field specifications. - is_auth_managed (optional boolean): Flag for user/admin collections. - feature_flags (optional boolean): Flags for enabling versioning, soft delete, etc. - admin_ui_config (optional object): Layout and presentation settings. - permission_rules (optional boolean): Whether to include default access blocks. - related_components (optional boolean): Flag to include associated hooks or endpoints.

Example Prompt:

Construct a data model named 'CustomerFeedback' including fields for rating (number), comment (richText), associated order (relationship), and active status (checkbox). Ensure version control is active.

define_field_schema

Creates a single, detailed field definition.

Parameters: - field_label (string): Human-readable name. - schema_type (string): The Payload field type (e.g., "text", "point", "relationship"). - is_mandatory (optional boolean): Requirement constraint. - uniqueness_constraint (optional boolean): Uniqueness check. - internationalization_support (optional boolean): Localization flag. - security_override (optional boolean): Access configuration inclusion. - ui_metadata (optional object): Specific admin display settings. - data_constraint (optional boolean): Inclusion of validation logic. - initial_value (optional any): Default data assignment.

Example Prompt:

Define a schema entry for an image asset field named 'HeroImage'. It must relate to the 'media' collection, require an accompanying caption field in the admin UI, and enforce alt-text presence.

Initial Setup Suite

bootstrap_environment

Initiates a compliant, ready-to-run Payload CMS repository structure.

Parameters: - project_name_tag (string): Identifier for the repository/folder. - project_summary (optional string): Brief overview for metadata. - network_endpoint (optional string): Initial server URL. - data_persistence_engine (optional enum): Chosen backend - "mongodb" or "postgres". - security_baseline (optional boolean): Configure built-in authentication layers. - admin_theme_config (optional object): Customization for the administrative interface. - initial_collections (optional array): List of pre-defined collection configurations. - initial_globals (optional array): List of pre-defined global configurations. - component_modules (optional array): List of required plugins or blocks. - language_flavor (optional boolean): Preference for TypeScript usage.

Example Prompt:

Bootstrap a new Payload CMS solution named "ECommerceBackend". Set the persistence engine to PostgreSQL, enable user authentication, and define starting collections for 'Products', 'Brands', and a global for 'GlobalStorefrontConfig'. Use TypeScript.

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🚀 Operational Guide

1. Pre-requisites for Use

Ensure the following environmental conditions are met:

• Node.js runtime version 18 or higher (Mandatory for Payload CMS 3.0 compatibility).
• Access credentials for Railway deployment (If utilizing cloud provisioning).
• Familiarity with Payload CMS configuration paradigms.

2. Integration into Cursor IDE

To activate the payload-code-guardian MCP utility within Cursor:

1. Navigate to Cursor's Settings interface.
2. Locate the MCP Servers configuration panel.
3. Introduce a new server entry, naming it "Payload CMS Guardian".
4. Select "Command" as the transport mechanism.
5. The execution instruction should be set to: railway run --service=YOUR_SERVICE_IDENTIFIER (or local command if preferred).
6. Finalize and save the settings.

3. Practical Tool Invocation Examples

You can now reference these tools naturally in your development discussions:

• For Review: "Guardian, verify this new field schema for compliance."
• For Scaffolding: "Generate a template for a custom GraphQL endpoint on the 'Orders' collection."
• For Standards: "Query the policies regarding data migration best practices."
• For Initialization: "Bootstrap a new environment using Postgres for a multi-tenant system."

4. Illustrative Development Cycle

A typical interaction leveraging the full spectrum of capabilities:

1. Initiation: Developer requests a template for a complex 'Product' entity (build_data_model).
2. Refinement: The AI delivers the initial structure.
3. Quality Assurance: The developer requests a check on the generated code against the latest standards (verify_structure).
4. Guidance: The AI points out a minor non-compliance regarding field naming conventions (lookup_policy).
5. Finalization: The developer proceeds to use the validated structure within a larger project initialization (bootstrap_environment).

5. Comprehensive Scenario Example

This demonstrates a detailed request for a complex data model:

User: I need to define the schema for a real estate property listing service within Payload. Name the collection 'Properties'.

AI: Understood. I will construct the data model blueprint.

[Invokes build_data_model]

AI: Here is the proposed 'Properties' collection structure, incorporating detailed location grouping, feature arrays, and relationship management. Note that versioning and timestamps are enabled by default.

// (Outputting generated TypeScript CollectionConfig)

User: Before we proceed, check the access controls for this definition. Only agents who own the listing should be able to update it.

AI: Analyzing the security parameters via policy lookup...

[Invokes lookup_policy]

AI: The generated access block needs refinement. I recommend using a custom 'isAgentOwner' check in the 'update' policy rather than a blanket 'admin' access. I will synthesize the required hook logic now.

[Invokes synthesize_artifact]

Granularity in Prompt Engineering

The utility excels when provided with clear directives:

Low Specificity (Reliance on Defaults)

Generate a field for user name.

Medium Specificity (Targeted Requirements)

Generate a field for 'productPrice' (number type). It must be mandatory and enforce currency formatting in the admin UI.

High Specificity (Complete Blueprint)

Define a complex 'ShippingAddress' structure for the 'Orders' collection. This must be a group containing: - StreetLine1, StreetLine2 (text) - GeoPoint (type: point) - CountryCode (select, localized) - IsPrimary (checkbox, default true) Include validation ensuring City and CountryCode are always present.

Optimization Tips

1. Demand Specificity: Clearly articulate mandatory constraints and desired output format.
2. Map Relationships: Explicitly define cross-collection links (e.g., "relationship to Users collection").
3. Define Presentation: Specify admin panel layout requirements (groups, columns, display fields).
4. Isolate Logic: Separate security/business logic requests (hooks/access) into distinct steps for cleaner tool invocation.
5. Leverage Declarative Queries: Use structural_query for quick introspection of existing schema complexity.

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📄 Licensing Information

This utility is released under the permissive MIT License. Consult the LICENSE file for full details.

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🌐 About MATMAX WORLDWIDE

Our philosophy centers on creating beneficial technology—tools that refine workflows, promote quality, and respect developer experience. We strive to build the digital scaffolding for purposeful creation.

Explore our mission at matmax.world.

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🏃 Local Execution & Deployment

You can operate the Payload CMS MCP Server locally or push it to a cloud environment.

Method A: Via NPM Package

bash

Global installation

npm install -g payload-cms-mcp

Execute the service interface

payload-cms-mcp

Method B: Cloning the Source Repository

1. Clone the repository source: bash git clone https://github.com/Matmax-Worldwide/payloadcmsmcp.git cd payloadcmsmcp

2. Resolve dependencies: bash npm install

3. Initiate local operation: bash npm run dev

Or the alternative local entry point:

npm run local

Cloud Deployment Target: Railway

Railway offers frictionless deployment for this tool:

Upon clicking the deployment button: 1. Choose "Deploy from GitHub repository". 2. Search for and select the official repository: "Matmax-Worldwide/payloadcmsmcp". 3. Initiate deployment.

Cursor IDE Command Adjustment (Post-Deployment)

If running via Railway service: 1. Install the Railway CLI tool: npm install -g @railway/cli 2. Authenticate: railway login 3. Link to your deployed environment: railway link 4. Update the Cursor MCP Server command setting to simply: railway run