Initialize Next.js 15 + Payload CMS 3.0

[itsyogesh]

Description

Set up the fresh monorepo with Next.js 15, Payload CMS 3.0, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS. This replaces the legacy React 16 + CRA frontend entirely.

Payload 3.0 installs directly into the Next.js /app directory — no separate backend needed.

Phase: Setup · Depends on: Nothing · Blocks: All other issues

Tasks

• Create Next.js 15 project with TypeScript (create-next-app@latest)
• Install Tailwind CSS v4 and configure
• Install and configure Payload CMS 3.0 inside /app
  • @payloadcms/next and @payloadcms/db-postgres
  • Set up Payload config at payload.config.ts
  • Add Payload admin route at /app/(payload)/admin/
• Set up PostgreSQL connection string (Neon-compatible)
• Configure ESLint and Prettier
• Set up project folder structure:

  ├── app/
  │   ├── (frontend)/       # Public pages
  │   ├── (payload)/        # Payload admin
  │   └── api/              # API routes
  ├── collections/          # Payload collections
  ├── components/           # React components
  ├── lib/                  # Utilities
  └── docs/                 # Documentation (existing)
  

• Add CLAUDE.md / AGENTS.md with project conventions
• Verify pnpm dev starts both Next.js and Payload admin
• Verify production build works

Acceptance Criteria

• pnpm dev serves the app on localhost:3000
• /admin shows Payload CMS dashboard
• TypeScript compiles without errors
• Tailwind classes work in components
• PostgreSQL connection works (can create/read records)

References

• Architecture Doc
• Payload 3.0 Docs