Strapi is an open-source headless CMS that allows developers to manage and deliver content seamlessly through APIs. It decouples the front end from the back end, providing flexibility to use any front-end framework or technology stack. Strapi automatically generates RESTful and GraphQL APIs based on content models, making it easier to create and manage content. The system includes an admin panel for content creators to add and organize content. Strapi's architecture supports plugins and customizations, and includes role-based access control for content management.

This guide explains how to use Vultr's Strapi Marketplace Application. It covers exploring the Strapi dashboard, creating a collection type, adding content to the collection, and setting up the required API permissions.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, you need to:

• Have access to the Vultr Console.
• Have curl installed on your local machine to test the Strapi API endpoints.

Strapi's Core Features

Strapi provides the following core features:

• Headless CMS: Strapi is a customizable headless content management system (CMS) that allows developers to manage content and deliver it via APIs to any front-end framework or device.
• API generation: Automatically generates RESTful and GraphQL APIs based on the content types created, with the ability to extend and customize these APIs.
• Admin panel: Provides a customizable admin panel for content creators and administrators to manage and organize content, roles, and permissions.
• Plugin system: Offers a plugin ecosystem to extend functionality, including plugins for internationalization (i18n) and SEO optimization.
• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Implements role-based access control, allowing granular permission settings for different user roles.

Deploy Strapi Marketplace Application on Vultr

Follow the steps below to deploy Strapi as a Marketplace Application on a Vultr Cloud Compute instance.

1. Log in to the Vultr Console and navigate to Compute > Instances.
2. Click Create Instance.
3. Under Choose Type, select Shared CPU.
4. Select a nearby server location from the location list.
5. Select a plan that meets your resource requirements, then click Configure to continue to the next step.
6. Click the Marketplace App tab.
7. Search for Strapi and select it from the results.
8. Under Server Settings, select an SSH key to use with the instance. Optionally configure a startup script or firewall group.
9. Enter a hostname and label for the instance under Server Hostname and Label.
10. Configure any optional settings under Additional Features, such as automatic backups or DDoS protection.
11. Click Deploy to start the instance deployment.
12. Once the instance is deployed, navigate to Compute > Instances and note the instance's IP address to use in later steps.

Explore Strapi Dashboard

1. Confirm that the Strapi service is available. Replace SERVER-IP with your instance's IP address.

   console Copy

   $ curl -X GET "http://SERVER-IP:1337/"
   

   Explain Code

   The command returns a response from the Strapi server, confirming that the API is reachable. If the connection is refused, wait a few minutes for the Strapi installation script to finish running and try again.

2. Create a Strapi admin account by navigating to http://SERVER-IP:1337/admin in a web browser and completing the setup form.

3. Select Content-Type Builder in the Plugins section.

4. Create a new collection type.

5. Define the fields of your collection.

6. Save the collection.

7. Navigate to Content Manager at the top of the left menu.

8. Select the collection you just created.

9. Click Add new entry.

10. Fill in the fields.

11. Save and publish your content.

12. Navigate to Settings.

13. Select Roles under the users and permissions plugin.

14. Select the Public role.

15. In Permissions, expand the desired content type.

16. Allow access to retrieve the articles by checking the find and findone boxes.

17. Click Save.

18. Retrieve content via the API. Replace SERVER-IP with your instance's IP address.

    console Copy

    $ curl -X GET "http://SERVER-IP:1337/articles"
    

    Explain Code

    The response returns a JSON array containing the article entries you created, confirming that the API permissions are configured correctly.

Conclusion

You have deployed Vultr's Strapi Marketplace Application, explored the Strapi dashboard, and configured its core features, including content types and role-based access control. The Marketplace Application deploys Strapi pre-installed on the instance, reducing the manual setup required before development can begin.