docker.recipes

Contember

intermediate

GraphQL-first headless CMS with TypeScript schema definition.

Overview

Contember is a modern GraphQL-first headless CMS that takes a unique schema-first approach, allowing developers to define their content models using TypeScript decorators and classes. Unlike traditional CMSs that require manual database schema management, Contember automatically generates GraphQL APIs, database migrations, and admin interfaces from your TypeScript schema definitions. This approach eliminates the typical disconnect between backend models and frontend requirements while maintaining type safety throughout the entire stack. This stack combines Contember Engine with PostgreSQL to create a powerful content management foundation where schema changes propagate automatically through the entire system. When you modify your TypeScript schema definitions, Contember generates the necessary database migrations, updates the GraphQL API endpoints, and refreshes the admin interface without manual intervention. PostgreSQL provides the robust relational foundation needed for Contember's advanced features like content versioning, complex relationships, and built-in access control lists. This combination is ideal for development teams who want the flexibility of headless CMS architecture without sacrificing developer experience or type safety. Frontend developers benefit from strongly-typed GraphQL queries that match their TypeScript models, while backend developers can focus on business logic rather than boilerplate API code. The automatic migration system makes this stack particularly valuable for teams practicing continuous deployment, as schema changes can be version-controlled and deployed with confidence.

Key Features

  • TypeScript-first schema definition with automatic GraphQL API generation from decorated classes
  • Built-in Access Control Lists (ACL) system with role-based permissions defined in schema
  • Automatic database migration generation when TypeScript schema models change
  • Content versioning and audit trail tracking all changes with PostgreSQL JSONB storage
  • Multi-tenant architecture support with isolated data and configurable permissions
  • Real-time GraphQL subscriptions for live content updates using PostgreSQL LISTEN/NOTIFY
  • Integrated admin panel SDK that auto-generates forms based on schema definitions
  • Advanced PostgreSQL features like full-text search and JSON querying for content fields

Common Use Cases

  • 1E-commerce platforms requiring complex product catalogs with custom fields and relationships
  • 2Multi-brand corporate websites needing shared content management with tenant isolation
  • 3SaaS applications requiring user-generated content with granular permission controls
  • 4News and publishing platforms with editorial workflows and content scheduling
  • 5API-first development where mobile apps and web frontends share content sources
  • 6Rapid prototyping of content-heavy applications with evolving data requirements
  • 7Enterprise applications needing audit trails and version control for compliance

Prerequisites

  • Minimum 1GB RAM for PostgreSQL operations and Contember Engine compilation
  • Docker and Docker Compose with support for depends_on service ordering
  • Basic TypeScript knowledge for schema definition and model relationships
  • Understanding of GraphQL queries and mutations for API integration
  • Port 4000 available for Contember Engine GraphQL endpoint access
  • Environment variables configured for database credentials and admin access

For development & testing. Review security settings, change default credentials, and test thoroughly before production use. See Terms

docker-compose.yml

docker-compose.yml
1services: 
2  contember-engine: 
3    image: contember/engine:latest
4    container_name: contember
5    restart: unless-stopped
6    environment: 
7      DEFAULT_DB_HOST: postgres
8      DEFAULT_DB_NAME: contember
9      DEFAULT_DB_USER: contember
10      DEFAULT_DB_PASSWORD: ${DB_PASSWORD}
11      TENANT_DB_NAME: contember
12      CONTEMBER_ROOT_EMAIL: ${ADMIN_EMAIL}
13      CONTEMBER_ROOT_PASSWORD: ${ADMIN_PASSWORD}
14    ports: 
15      - "4000:4000"
16    depends_on: 
17      - postgres
18    networks: 
19      - contember-network
20
21  postgres: 
22    image: postgres:16-alpine
23    container_name: contember-postgres
24    environment: 
25      POSTGRES_USER: contember
26      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: ${DB_PASSWORD}
27      POSTGRES_DB: contember
28    volumes: 
29      - postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
30    networks: 
31      - contember-network
32
33volumes: 
34  postgres_data: 
35
36networks: 
37  contember-network: 
38    driver: bridge

.env Template

.env
1DB_PASSWORD=changeme
2ADMIN_EMAIL=admin@example.com
3ADMIN_PASSWORD=changeme

Usage Notes

  1. 1Docs: https://docs.contember.com/
  2. 2GraphQL API at http://localhost:4000/content
  3. 3Define schema in TypeScript: @contember/schema
  4. 4Automatic database migrations from schema changes
  5. 5Built-in ACL (Access Control Lists) for permissions
  6. 6Admin panel with @contember/admin SDK

Individual Services(2 services)

Copy individual services to mix and match with your existing compose files.

contember-engine
contember-engine:
  image: contember/engine:latest
  container_name: contember
  restart: unless-stopped
  environment:
    DEFAULT_DB_HOST: postgres
    DEFAULT_DB_NAME: contember
    DEFAULT_DB_USER: contember
    DEFAULT_DB_PASSWORD: ${DB_PASSWORD}
    TENANT_DB_NAME: contember
    CONTEMBER_ROOT_EMAIL: ${ADMIN_EMAIL}
    CONTEMBER_ROOT_PASSWORD: ${ADMIN_PASSWORD}
  ports:
    - "4000:4000"
  depends_on:
    - postgres
  networks:
    - contember-network
postgres
postgres:
  image: postgres:16-alpine
  container_name: contember-postgres
  environment:
    POSTGRES_USER: contember
    POSTGRES_PASSWORD: ${DB_PASSWORD}
    POSTGRES_DB: contember
  volumes:
    - postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
  networks:
    - contember-network

Quick Start

terminal
1# 1. Create the compose file
2cat > docker-compose.yml << 'EOF'
3services:
4  contember-engine:
5    image: contember/engine:latest
6    container_name: contember
7    restart: unless-stopped
8    environment:
9      DEFAULT_DB_HOST: postgres
10      DEFAULT_DB_NAME: contember
11      DEFAULT_DB_USER: contember
12      DEFAULT_DB_PASSWORD: ${DB_PASSWORD}
13      TENANT_DB_NAME: contember
14      CONTEMBER_ROOT_EMAIL: ${ADMIN_EMAIL}
15      CONTEMBER_ROOT_PASSWORD: ${ADMIN_PASSWORD}
16    ports:
17      - "4000:4000"
18    depends_on:
19      - postgres
20    networks:
21      - contember-network
22
23  postgres:
24    image: postgres:16-alpine
25    container_name: contember-postgres
26    environment:
27      POSTGRES_USER: contember
28      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: ${DB_PASSWORD}
29      POSTGRES_DB: contember
30    volumes:
31      - postgres_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
32    networks:
33      - contember-network
34
35volumes:
36  postgres_data:
37
38networks:
39  contember-network:
40    driver: bridge
41EOF
42
43# 2. Create the .env file
44cat > .env << 'EOF'
45DB_PASSWORD=changeme
46ADMIN_EMAIL=admin@example.com
47ADMIN_PASSWORD=changeme
48EOF
49
50# 3. Start the services
51docker compose up -d
52
53# 4. View logs
54docker compose logs -f

One-Liner

Run this command to download and set up the recipe in one step:

terminal
1curl -fsSL https://docker.recipes/api/recipes/contember/run | bash

Troubleshooting

  • Schema validation failed during migration: Check TypeScript decorators syntax and ensure all relationships reference existing entities
  • GraphQL endpoint returns 500 errors: Verify PostgreSQL connection and ensure database user has CREATE and ALTER privileges
  • Admin interface shows empty forms: Confirm schema models include proper field decorators and admin panel configuration
  • Migration files not generating: Restart Contember Engine after schema changes and check TypeScript compilation errors
  • Access denied errors in GraphQL queries: Review ACL definitions in schema and verify user permissions match query requirements
  • PostgreSQL connection refused: Ensure postgres service starts before contember-engine using depends_on configuration

Community Notes

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Components

contemberpostgres

Tags

#contember#graphql#typescript#schema-first

Category

CMS & Blogging

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