Payload CMS development for teams that want the content layer in their own codebase, on their own terms.
Config-as-code content platforms, custom admin experiences, and self-hosted deployments in TypeScript.
Most CMS platforms live outside your codebase. Temper And Forge builds Payload inside it, under version control.
How We Build With Payload
01
Schema design in TypeScript
Payload builds start in the config: collections, fields, access control, and hooks defined in TypeScript, reviewed like any other code. The schema lives in the repository with the application, so content structure changes ship through the same pull requests as everything else.
02
Admin panels editors accept
Payload's admin gets extended with custom components where the defaults fall short: editorial previews, bespoke fields, and dashboards for the workflows your team runs. Editors get an interface fitted to their job rather than a developer afterthought.
03
One repo, front end included
Payload runs natively inside Next.js, so the CMS, API, and front end can live in one repository and deploy as one unit. Local development mirrors production, environments stay consistent, and there is no vendor dashboard between your team and a fix.
04
Self-hosting and ownership
Deployment lands on infrastructure you control, with the database, media storage, and backups configured to your requirements. No per-seat pricing, no content held in someone else's platform: the system is yours, and the documentation keeps it maintainable after handoff.
Our team
Who owns the config.
TypeScript engineers who treat the CMS as part of the application, with the code review and tests to match.
11
Years in business
650+
Projects delivered
5.5M
Users of our custom tools
$75B+
Enterprise value supported
Utile Design
Temper And Forge helped us launch our new website — during the discovery phase, they asked questions about our primary goals and helped us shape the vision together. Using our refreshed brand style guide, they developed three different options for how to execute on the website, then built everything out in Figma before moving to development. Following launch, we saw significant increases in organic search traffic and time on page. They were always up for a challenge — if we had modifications, they would definitely meet and exceed those — and every team member showed genuine care for their craft.
Allison Price
Director of Marketing & Communications
A few of our partners
our clients
Don't just take it from us. Hear from our clients
- Temper And Forge's quality of work is exceptional; they've delivered everything they promised they would and more. We get excellent value for our money. — Jim Boborci, Director of Brand & Creative. 5 out of 5 stars.
- I've worked at my organization for close to 12 years and worked with over 12 external vendors, maybe more. Temper And Forge has been the easiest to work with and the most knowledgeable about their work. The team has produced the best work for us. — Anna McKay, Head of Web & Design. 5 out of 5 stars.
- They brought our vision to life. The team worked effectively together and was collaborative with our team. The partnership was seamless. — Danielle Lewan, Director of Marketing & Communications. 5 out of 5 stars.
- We were instantly comfortable with Temper And Forge, and their resources were extremely responsive. The team listened to our needs and adapted to every single aspect that we expected from them — they were great. — Eric Demas, CFO & City Auditor. 5 out of 5 stars.
- Temper And Forge was one of the most professional companies I've ever worked with, as they were highly responsive to our feedback, concerns, and changes we needed to make. — Bryce Gibson, Co-Founder. 5 out of 5 stars.
- Their effective communication is outstanding; they understand what we want and run with it. — Alex Neuber, Head of Business Planning & Marketing. 5 out of 5 stars.
- Temper And Forge has made a name for themselves to deliver results and our projects are the key indicators of that. — Nicholas Collins, Vice President & COO. 5 out of 5 stars.
- What sets them apart is their ability to consider all of the stakeholders' inputs and come up with a solution that meets everyone's needs. — Alisha Harrington, Co-Director. 5 out of 5 stars.
- They give us what feels like white-glove service. They prioritize us, and it feels like we're their only client, even though we know that isn't the case. That's appreciated. — Joe Myxter, Director of Communications. 5 out of 5 stars.
- Temper And Forge was highly responsive and provided quick deliveries. The team delivered work ahead of schedule and stayed on budget, communicating in a quick manner. — Vincent Santino, Marketing Director of Demand Generation. 5 out of 5 stars.
- Temper And Forge is a small boutique firm, and I know that every dollar we spend goes directly into results. I don't feel like there's any wasted time with them. — Aloe Driscoll, Digital Marketing Manager. 5 out of 5 stars.
- I was impressed by Temper And Forge's investment in our company's mission and values. Their company culture set them apart, and Temper And Forge seemed to genuinely care about our market — that was unique. — Elisabeth Law, Director of Marketing. 5 out of 5 stars.
- They're a dynamite team that's a helpful partner. As time goes on, I noticed that they have a fundamental interest in our business. They know our goals and can execute them quickly. — Thomas Winstanely, VP Marketing. 5 out of 5 stars.
- Temper And Forge's willingness to dive into some of the design challenges was really impressive. They didn't shy away. — Allison Price, Director of Marketing & Communications. 5 out of 5 stars.
Ready to own the content layer?
Let's build the CMS your engineers will want to maintain.