GraphQL & Page API

Description

dotCMS provides a powerful set of APIs—GraphQL and the Page REST API—that form the backbone of modern headless and composable experiences. Together, they give developers precise control over how content and pages are retrieved, while ensuring content teams can work independently inside the CMS without breaking downstream applications.

The GraphQL API allows developers to query exactly the content fields they need, in a single request, using a flexible and strongly typed schema. This dramatically simplifies data fetching and improves performance by eliminating over-fetching. The Page API complements GraphQL by delivering fully structured page data—including layouts, containers, and associated content—so external front ends can render pages exactly as authored in dotCMS. Combined, these APIs make it easier to build fast, scalable, and consistent experiences across channels.

Benefits

For Developers

• Query only the fields you need with GraphQL, reducing payload size and improving application performance.

• Retrieve complete, structured page definitions—including layouts and containers—using the Page API for accurate headless rendering.

• Simplify front-end architecture by consolidating data access through a single GraphQL endpoint instead of multiple REST calls.

• Build modern front ends using frameworks like Next.js, React, or other headless platforms with clean, predictable APIs.

For Content & Digital Teams

• Publish and update content in dotCMS with confidence, knowing changes are immediately available to all connected channels.

• Maintain visual page structures and layouts in the CMS while developers control rendering in the front end.

• Support omnichannel delivery without duplicating content or workflows.

Use Cases

Headless Websites
A development team builds a Next.js site that retrieves page layouts via the Page API and queries content fields through GraphQL, enabling fast, flexible rendering while preserving CMS-authored structure.

Mobile Applications
A mobile app uses the GraphQL API to fetch only the specific content fields required for each screen, minimizing payload size and improving performance on mobile networks.

Multi-Channel Content Delivery
An organization delivers the same content to websites, mobile apps, and digital displays using GraphQL and the Page API from a single dotCMS instance, ensuring consistency across channels.

Resources

• dotCMS: The Headless CMS for GraphQL

• Simplify Headless Content Management with GraphQL

• Render Pages with GraphQL and the JavaScript SDK