Architecture
Core capabilities
The core extension delivers the foundation that every other Paradigm CMS extension builds on.
Core platform features
Page management
Create and organize pages with hierarchy, layouts, templates, and metadata. Pages are the primary content unit and support custom slugs, parent-child relationships, and per-page layout assignments.
Routing and navigation
The router resolves URLs to pages and layouts. Custom URL patterns and menu positions are configured through the template system. See Core framework for how routing integrates with templates.
Block system
Reusable PHP view modules that render dynamic content. Blocks are loaded by slug, accept props, and can be composed into layouts or fetched dynamically via JavaScript. See Blocks and requests for the full architecture.
Request system
Extension-scoped API operations using the $request closure pattern. Requests handle
data operations (CRUD, workflows, integrations) while blocks handle the UI. See
PHP conventions for the handler pattern.
Admin dashboard
Extension management and configuration tools for site administrators. The dashboard provides access to all enabled extensions, schema management, and system settings.
Global search
Search across extensions and content types from a unified interface. Extensions register searchable content so users can find records without navigating to each module individually.
Menu management
Drag-and-drop menu organization with support for multiple menu positions defined by the active template.
Documentation delivery
Built-in documentation system for extension topics and articles, keeping user guides accessible from within the CMS.
Export tooling
Data extraction workflows for generating spreadsheets, reports, and bulk data exports from extension records.
File tools
File finder and browser for managing uploaded content and media resources.
Environment configuration
Management hooks for environment variables, database credentials, and deployment settings. See Installation for the configuration format.
Foundation for extensions
The core extension supplies the routing, page system, block system, and admin interface that every other extension depends on. This keeps feature extensions focused on domain logic while the CMS handles shared concerns like authentication, layout rendering, and data access.
To build on this foundation, see:
- Extensions — directory layout, manifests, and activation.
- Database schema — defining data models.
- JavaScript conventions — block scripts and UI patterns.
- Common patterns — reusable list, form, and window patterns.