Community-Driven Marketplace for Custom Extensions

[dreamy32]

The following content has been AI generated, and approved by me

Summary
Payload currently has no built-in “marketplace” area in its admin UI. This proposal adds a new tab or dedicated section where users can browse, download, and install community-maintained extensions (collections, components, plugins, themes, etc.) directly—just like WordPress. This will stop users from rewriting the same configurations repeatedly. With one click, you could install a preconfigured collection (for example, a Vehicle collection that includes a VIN decoder) or even clone full site templates (similar to WordPress themes) to start new Payload projects from proven bases.

1. Context & Purpose

Currently, Payload requires manual setup of collections, fields, and plugins via code. This is inefficient, especially when the same configurations are rewritten across different projects. Introducing a built-in "Community Marketplace" within the Payload admin UI would allow users to share and reuse resources like collections, custom fields, and plugins efficiently.

1.1 Why an integrated marketplace?

• Instant Reusability: Avoid rewriting similar configurations repeatedly.
• Site Cloning (Payload Themes): Quickly launch new projects using fully prepared templates.
• Quality & Maintenance: Highlight community-trusted resources, minimizing risk.
• Ecosystem Growth: Encourage community engagement and simplify onboarding.

2. How It Would Work

2.1 Location in the UI

• Marketplace Tab: A dedicated "Marketplace" tab in Payload’s sidebar.
• Marketplace Page: Paginated view displaying resources with descriptions, compatibility, ratings, and installation buttons.

2.2 User Flow

1. Access Marketplace: Click the Marketplace tab.
2. Search & Filter: Find relevant extensions by keyword or type.
3. Review Details: Detailed view with screenshots, dependencies, and instructions.
4. Install & Update: One-click installation and automatic configuration.

2.3 Package Structure

• Packaged Collections: Includes collection configurations and custom fields/components.
• Plugins/UI Components: Standard npm packages exporting React components or hooks.
• Themes/Templates: Complete Next.js templates preconfigured for Payload integration. (Or the new payload site thing, I havent checked it out)

3. Example: Vehicle Collection with VIN Decoder

A user searching for "vehicles" finds and installs a ready-made collection that automatically integrates a VIN decoder API.

4. Site Cloning (Payload Themes)

Quickly clone and customize entire sites with prebuilt collections and frontend setups, streamlining new project initiation.

5. Benefits

• Efficiency: Save significant development time.
• Community Contribution: Easily share solutions and discover new resources.
• Reliability: Trustworthy, audited extensions highlighted by ratings.
• Scalability: Flexible solutions applicable across varied use cases.

6. Technical Implementation

6.1 Backend

• Central repository hosting packages.
• API endpoints for listing and installation.

6.2 Frontend

• New React tab displaying extensions and installation workflows.

6.3 Version Management

• Semantic versioning and update notifications.

7. Real-World Scenarios

• Documentation Site: Quickly launch with prebuilt collections and plugins.
• E-commerce Site: Instant setup with catalog and checkout functionalities.

8. Roadmap

1. Feasibility Study
2. Prototype UI
3. Backend Development
4. Beta Release
5. Continuous Improvements

9. Conclusion

Embedding a "Community Marketplace" within Payload’s admin interface will significantly enhance usability, reduce repetitive tasks, and foster a strong, collaborative community.

[MurzNN]

Great initiative, but the scope of work is huge. So, would be great to start with something simple, so I created a separate feature request #13049 as an easy first step to move this forward.