REDAXO

REDAXO is a PHP‑based, open‑source content management system that has evolved since 2004 into a lightweight yet highly extensible framework. At its core, REDAXO exposes a content model that is built around articles, categories and blocks. Each article can contain multiple blocks, which are simple PHP files that render content or provide interactive widgets. This block‑oriented approach gives developers granular control over output while still benefiting from a unified administration interface. The CMS is multilingual by default, with language files stored in i18n directories and a robust translation API that can be extended via add‑ons.

Architecture & Technical Stack

REDAXO’s architecture is deliberately modular. The core is a single PHP file that bootstraps the framework, loads configuration from redaxo.config.php, and then delegates to a set of add‑ons that provide functionality such as media management, SEO tools, or e‑commerce extensions. The stack is:

• Language: PHP 8.x (strict typing, namespaces, SPL)
• Database: MySQL/MariaDB (via PDO), with optional SQLite support for lightweight deployments
• Templating: Native PHP templates, optionally Twig or Smarty through add‑ons
• Front‑end: Bootstrap 4/5 and jQuery are bundled with the core, but developers can swap them out
• API: A REST‑like JSON API is available for CRUD operations on articles, categories and media; hooks are exposed via the event system (rex_event) for custom logic

The framework follows a Model‑View‑Controller pattern internally: the model is represented by rex_article, rex_category, etc.; the view consists of template files and block output; the controller is the rex_backend or rex_frontend dispatcher that routes requests.

Core Capabilities & Extensibility

Developers can extend REDAXO through add‑ons, which are self‑contained packages placed in the redaxo/src/addons directory. Each add‑on declares its dependencies, hooks, and API routes in an addon.xml file. Hooks such as rex_article_save or rex_media_pool allow developers to inject custom logic at key lifecycle events. The add‑on system supports:

• Event hooks (rex_event::register / addListener)
• API endpoints (rex_api_manager.php)
• Custom block types (PHP classes that render output)
• Template overrides via rex_template
• CLI commands for maintenance tasks

The API documentation (hosted at FriendsOfREDAXO) provides a comprehensive reference to all classes and functions, enabling developers to build sophisticated integrations without reinventing the wheel.

Deployment & Infrastructure

REDAXO is designed for self‑hosting on any LAMP/LEMP stack. A typical deployment involves placing the source in a web‑root, configuring web.config.php, and ensuring write permissions for the var directory. The CMS scales horizontally by sharing a common database and file system, making it suitable for multi‑tenant portals. Containerization is well supported: official Docker images exist and can be extended with custom add‑ons. For high availability, a load balancer can route requests to multiple REDAXO instances behind a shared storage backend (e.g., NFS or cloud object storage for media).

Developer Experience & Community

REDAXO’s documentation is split into a developer guide and an API reference, both hosted on the official site and mirrored in the FriendsOfREDAXO docs portal. The community is active on Slack, GitHub Discussions, and a dedicated forum, providing rapid feedback for bug reports or feature requests. The licensing model (MIT) removes any commercial constraints, allowing developers to use REDAXO in both open‑source and proprietary projects without licensing overhead.

Use Cases

• Corporate intranets: The block system and category hierarchy make it easy to model complex information structures.
• Event portals: Add‑ons for calendars, ticketing and multilingual support enable rapid MVPs.
• E‑commerce: While not a full‑blown shop, REDAXO can be paired with add‑ons like rex_shop or integrated with external services via the API.
• Documentation sites: The built‑in media pool and versioned articles are ideal for technical docs.

Advantages Over Alternatives

• Performance: Minimal core footprint and PHP’s native execution lead to fast response times.
• Flexibility: Full control over output through PHP blocks; no imposed templating engine unless chosen.
• Extensibility: Add‑on architecture encourages community contributions and rapid feature adoption.
• Licensing & Cost: MIT license means no royalty or upgrade fees, unlike proprietary CMSs.
• Community & Support: A dedicated Slack channel and active GitHub repository ensure quick help for production issues.

In summary, REDAXO offers a lightweight yet powerful platform that balances developer freedom with an out‑of‑the‑box content workflow, making it a compelling choice for projects that require tight control over both backend logic and frontend rendering.