ADR 0007: Payload as one app on D1

Status

Accepted, 2026-10-29.

Context

The earlier Payload reference ran Next.js and Payload on Vercel with Postgres. On Workers, Payload can run in the same Worker as the Front-end and read content through its Local API, with no HTTP hop.

Decision

• apps/payload is one vinext app: Payload admin, API and the public Front-end together, reading through the Local API.
• It uses the Payload 4 beta.
• The database is Cloudflare D1 by default. Postgres through Hyperdrive stays in the code as an option (PAYLOAD_DB=postgres), to compare later.
• Migrations run everywhere; schema push is off.

Consequences

• Access locks only /admin and /api, so the public pages stay open on the same hostname.
• vite dev does not work yet; the local loop is build plus preview. See spike 05.