Overview
Payload is a code-first headless CMS that installs into a Next.js app instead of running as a separate service, so it fits if your site is already React. Its official MCP plugin lets an agent create and update content while still respecting access control. The managed Cloud side is murky since the Figma acquisition, so plan on self-hosting.
Key Features
- ✓Official @payloadcms/plugin-mcp with per-collection scoping
- ✓MCP tools respect Payload's existing access control
- ✓REST, GraphQL and local APIs generated from your schema
- ✓TypeScript-native, installs inside a Next.js app
- ✓MIT licensed and free to self-host
Related tools
Other Web Hosting & Infrastructure tools to consider:
WP Rocket
WordPress caching plugin with a first-party MCP server in every licence
$59/year, 1 site
Bluehost
Affordable WordPress hosting with AI-powered site builder
$3.99/mo Basic, 36 months; renews $9.99/mo
Sanity
Content platform with AI agent actions and a hosted MCP server
Free forever / $15/seat/mo Growth
Strapi
Open-source headless CMS with an official built-in MCP server
Free self-hosted (MIT); $35/mo Cloud Starter
Ghost
Publishing platform an agent can post into via the Admin API
$18/mo Starter; Admin API needs $29/mo tier