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DESIGNLOF CMS / FREE SELF-HOSTED CORE

Your content.
Your website.
Your control.

Write, arrange pages and publish on your own hosting. Keep your content in one clear workspace, with help from Designlof when you need it.

A publishing space you can make your own.

Free core preview · Version 0.4.0 · GPLv2-or-later. Includes the installer, English guide, and Editorial and Journal layouts.

Download free CMS — Preview Read the installation guide

YOUR OWN PUBLISHING SPACE

A clear place
to start.

Articles, pages and publishing choices. Together in the actual CMS.

CMS dashboard showing demonstration articles, drafts, and publication status.
Actual desktop CMS capture with example content. Open the image to inspect it at full size.
01

Your hosting, your control

Install on a server you choose. Your database and files stay in the installation you manage.

02

Keep content in focus

Manage articles, pages, images, and forms from one dashboard.

03

No frontend build step

PHP with SQLite or MySQL/MariaDB. Start publishing without a frontend build process.

FROM FIRST DRAFT TO PUBLISHED PAGE

A clear workflow. Room to make it yours.

Practical tools for everyday publishing, shown in the CMS you will actually use.

01 / WRITE & PUBLISH

Your next story.
Ready to be published.

Create articles and pages in a structured content editor. Save a draft, preview your work, and set its publication date.

  • Revisions and autosave for saved work
  • SEO titles and descriptions for each page
  • Categories, tags, RSS, and a sitemap
CMS article editor with demonstration content and publishing controls.
Article editor — saved demonstration content.

02 / BUILD YOUR PAGES

Arrange a page.

Arrange content on a visual canvas with nine standard element types. Add headings, text, images, or buttons, then preview the page you have built.

  • A visual canvas for pages
  • Preview before you publish
  • A media library with alt text and captions
CMS visual canvas showing page elements created in a clean demonstration installation.
Visual canvas — page elements in the actual CMS.

03 / MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME

Choose a publishing layout.

Start a publishing website with the core Editorial and Journal layouts. Manage navigation and content in the CMS, then adjust your standard theme to suit your site.

  • Two standard layouts in the core
  • Website menu management
  • Declarative theme imports without uploaded PHP code
CMS Appearance gallery showing the standard Editorial and Journal themes.
Appearance — standard layouts available in the core.

ONE PUBLISHING WORKSPACE

Made for content. Ready for your team.

Give everyone the right role

Manage administrators, editors, authors, contributors, and subscribers with role permissions and content ownership.

Keep forms and responses together

Build forms and read submissions in your dashboard. Email notifications require your own SMTP configuration.

Clear controls for your workflow

CSRF checks, access permissions, parameterized queries, and upload validation are built in. You still need to maintain your hosting security.

INSTALL ON YOUR OWN HOSTING

Start small. Stay in control.

For people comfortable with hosting configuration and terminal access. Prefer some help? We can handle the initial setup with you.

  1. Choose your hosting

    PHP 8.2+, PDO, fileinfo, and SQLite or MySQL/MariaDB. Point your webroot only to the public/ directory.

  2. Prepare the installation

    Extract the package and prepare your private ownership key with php dl cms:setup-key. Configure your database in the setup wizard.

  3. Create your owner account

    Open the installer with your private setup key. Test your database connection, name your website, and create your private administrator account. Then review and install.

Follow the installation guide

ZIP is required for theme import and export. Domain names and hosting are separate. Upgrades run through the CLI; the package includes backup and restore instructions.

CHOOSE HOW YOU GET STARTED

Free CMS core. Help when you need it.

FOR HANDS-ON WEBSITE OWNERS

Self-hosted core

A CMS for your own hosting, with core publishing tools and standard layouts.

  • Articles, pages, and a visual canvas
  • Media, forms, and user roles
  • Installation, upgrade, and backup instructions

Version 0.4.0-core-preview · GPLv2-or-later · Download available.

Download the free preview

FOR OWNERS WHO WANT A HELPING HAND

A website that fits your needs

Need setup, a design that reflects your brand, or custom development? Talk through your project with Designlof.

  • Installation and initial configuration
  • Website design and layout customization
  • Custom features within an agreed project scope

Paid services. Scope and pricing are agreed after we discuss your requirements.

Discuss your project

BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

A few things worth knowing.

Is this a hosted website service with a free account?

This is a self-hosted CMS: you install it on your own hosting and create an owner account for that installation. The free source preview is available from the Download free CMS — Preview button. Read the included installation guide before installing it on your own hosting.

Does the free CMS include a domain name and hosting?

The CMS core is intended to be free for self-hosting. Domain names, hosting, third-party services, and setup or design services are separate.

Can I use WordPress themes and plugins?

This CMS has its own content and theme formats. WordPress themes and plugins are not compatible. The core includes Editorial and Journal layouts and declarative theme imports.

How do backups and updates work?

Your operator runs versioned upgrades through the CLI and backs up the database, media, themes, and private configuration. Instructions are included in the package. Automatic backups and updates are not currently provided.

Are media library files private?

Uploaded media links can be accessed publicly, including images used in private articles. Keep confidential documents in storage that provides private access.

Do I need AI or email services to run the CMS?

No. AI and email are optional and require your own provider configuration. Password recovery is handled by your server operator; email-based recovery is not currently available.

START WITH YOUR WEBSITE IDEA

Have a website in mind? Let’s bring it to life.

Make the CMS your publishing workspace. Designlof can help you build a website that fits your goals and your brand.

Tell us about your project