cms-migration

CMS Migration to Payload

Interactive workflow to design Payload collections from source CMS data. Config-first approach: establish the data structure through conversation before any data import.

Workflow

Start
  ↓
Ask for data sample
  ↓
Analyze data shape
  ↓
Propose collection config
  ↓
User reviews ──────────────┐
  │                        │
  ├─ changes needed ───→ Adjust config ──→ (back to User reviews)
  │
  └─ looks good ───→ Config confirmed
                            ↓
                    More collections? ──────┐
                            │               │
                            ├─ yes ──→ (back to Ask for data sample)
                            │
                            └─ no ───→ All collections confirmed
                                              ↓
                                      Discuss migration approach
                                              ↓
                                            Done

Phase 1: Data Analysis

When user provides data (JSON, CSV, or describes their schema):

1. Identify field types - text, number, date, relationships, media, rich text
2. Spot patterns - IDs, timestamps, nested objects, arrays
3. Note relationships - foreign keys, embedded refs, linked content types
4. Flag ambiguities - fields that could be multiple types, unclear purposes

Phase 2: Propose Collection Config

Present a Payload collection config based on analysis:

// Example output format
export const Posts: CollectionConfig = {
  slug: 'posts',
  fields: [
    { name: 'title', type: 'text', required: true },
    { name: 'content', type: 'richText' },
    { name: 'author', type: 'relationship', relationTo: 'users' },
    // ...
  ],
}

Explain your reasoning for each field choice. When something could go multiple ways (group vs JSON, text vs textarea, select vs relationship), ask rather than assume.

Phase 3: Iterate with User

Work through uncertainties: required fields, hasMany relationships, rich text vs HTML, custom timestamps vs built-in. Continue until the user confirms the config.