# Introduction

# Welcome to Maelstrom.

Maelstrom is very different from many other CRUD/CMS systems that are kicking about, it's most similar counterpart is most likely our good friends Backpack for Laravel.

# The key differences between Maelstrom any many others will be:

• Modern frontend tooling via React, Tailwind and Webpack (mix),
• No fully integrated controllers/models,
• No bundled frontend like Bootstrap,
• Completely customisable layouts,
• Extremely easy to add your own custom inputs,
• Highly extendable / over-writable components and methods,
• Everything is designed to be changed,
• Use what you want, ignore what you like,
• A super simple media manager,
• Ability to add components anywhere within your app, frontend, backend etc... using Blade or React.

# There's a handful of key concepts Maelstrom tries to follow:

• Everything must be over-writable,
• Nothing must be forced,
• Only use what you need.
• Keep to the default Laravel patterns e.g. Controllers, Models and Views.

# How it works

We have a single God class, of which every method is publicly exposed (allowing customisation) providing you a whole range of helper methods to easily handle your data.

Controllers are based on on Laravel's resourceful controllers and use all of the default methods (maybe minus the show method - this is up to you).

Models are your normal models, nothing special needed apart from exposing the protected $fillable property.

Views are all regular blade templates with sprinklings of helpers, your own components and layouts.

# Why Not

There are a few times when Maelstrom will not be appropriate for your project e.g.

• If you need a fully integrated plug and play system (Checkout Nova).
• If you need a flexible system which comes bundles with tonnes prebuilt UI components, widgets, plugins etc (Checkout Backpack)..
• If you don't want to use React.
• You don't have the time to create your own layouts.

Any questions then please get in contact with talk@maelstrom-cms.com

# Questions and Support

You can email talk@maelstrom-cms.com for questions, however if you need code support

# Video Tutorials

Below we have a small selection of videos showing how to use various features whilst creating a blog, there is between 1 and 2 hours worth of content.

Excuse the bad microphone! 😇

# Getting Started

Learning how to install and configure Maelstrom.

# Creating a Category Panel

A very simple panel to help you get to grips with the code structure.

# Creating a Posts Panel

A more advance panel with extra fields and features.

# Adding a Sidebar

Managing the sidebar within the control panel.

# Adding Filters

How to create filters for different column types.