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Testing out forestry.io
Sorry Netlify CMS #
I still ♥️ your product dont be
forestry is simple
I have been playing with the netlify cms for a while now, and it has been a decent experience, but I really struggle configuring it. Forestry is so simple to setup. My favorite part is that I can code up my gatsby.js site, storing all editable text in markdown, and come back later and add the CMS based on existing documents.
Configuration is Simple #
Forestry.io has this amazing feature to create create based on existing document 🤯. This is great because it sets up the .yml config for me without error. And If I really want to come back later to customize it more I have that option, too.
By far my favorite feature is create based on existing document
Multi-File Gallery #
I have a use case for a photography site where the owner wants to be able to show off sample photos of each type of work she does. I got it working in the netlify cms, although it was not very user friendly. Everything was nested in an accordian 😢.
Netlify multi image upload
Next I looked into forestry.io. I pointed forestry.io at the existing git repo, created a template based on an existing document and BAM💥 a nice image grid appeared.
Forestry multi image gallery
Editor #
The forestry.io editor is on point. I can choose to edit using the WYSIWYG editor and still use markdown syntax! I can edit in markdown. I can add images without fat-fingering the path and screwing up the whole post. Its amazing!
Images #
Image upload is on point! Just click the add image button, it pops you into your media library, choose an image, or upload it, and you're off to the races 🏇.
Im Sold 💲 #
At this point, I am sold. This blog is now written from Forestry, and I love it. It's great when I am away from my editor to make some progress on the go. If I decide I dont like it in 6 months, I can move on. All of my content is still in markdown on the git repo.
Forestry.io is missing the nice side-by-side preview that netlify cms has, but honestly, I have struggled to set that up, too. If I am being honest, I just play front end developer on the side, and setting up a CMS is not something that I plan on doing every day. I am perfectly happy having some gui tools, like forestry.io, setup all of the configuration for me with just a few clicks.
Bonus #
Preview is Nice 👌. Without configuring anything except a bash one-liner, I have a preview that is not quite instant, but does kick out my actual site with updated content quickly.