payloadcms/docs/local-api/outside-nextjs.mdx

---
title: Using Payload outside Next.js
label: Outside Next.js
order: 20
desc: Payload can be used outside of Next.js within standalone scripts or in other frameworks like Remix, SvelteKit, Nuxt, and similar.
keywords: local api, config, configuration, documentation, Content Management System, cms, headless, javascript, node, react, express
---

Payload can be used completely outside of Next.js which is helpful in cases like running scripts, using Payload in a separate backend service, or using Payload's Local API to fetch your data directly from your database in other frontend frameworks like SvelteKit, Remix, Nuxt, and similar.

<Banner>
  <strong>Note:</strong>
  <br/>
  Payload and all of its official packages are fully ESM. If you want to use Payload within your own projects, make sure you are writing your scripts in ESM format or dynamically importing the Payload Config.
</Banner>

## Importing the Payload Config outside of Next.js

Payload provides a convenient way to run standalone scripts, which can be useful for tasks like seeding your database or performing one-off operations.

In standalone scripts, can simply import the Payload Config and use it right away. If you need an initialized copy of Payload, you can then use the `getPayload` function. This can be useful for tasks like seeding your database or performing other one-off operations.

```ts
// We are importing `getPayload` because we don't need HMR
// for a standalone script. For usage of Payload inside Next.js,
// you should always use `import { getPayloadHMR } from '@payloadcms/next/utilities'` instead.
import { getPayload } from 'payload'
import config from '@payload-config'

const seed = async () => {
  // Get a local copy of Payload by passing your config
  const payload = await getPayload({ config })

  const user = await payload.create({
    collection: 'users',
    data: {
      email: 'dev@payloadcms.com',
      password: 'some-password'
    }
  })

  const page = await payload.create({
    collection: 'pages',
    data: {
      title: 'My Homepage',
      // other data to seed here
    }
  })
}

// Call the function here to run your seed script
await seed()
```

You can then execute the script using `payload run`. Example: if you placed this standalone script in `src/seed.ts`, you would execute it like this:

```sh
payload run src/seed.ts
```

The `payload run` command does two things for you:

1. It loads the environment variables the same way Next.js loads them, eliminating the need for additional dependencies like `dotenv`. The usage of `dotenv` is not recommended, as Next.js loads environment variables differently. By using `payload run`, you ensure consistent environment variable handling across your Payload and Next.js setup.
2. It initializes swc, allowing direct execution of TypeScript files without requiring tools like tsx or ts-node.

### Troubleshooting

If you encounter import-related errors, try running the script in TSX mode:

```sh
payload run src/seed.ts --use-tsx
```

Note: Install tsx in your project first. Be aware that TSX mode is slower than the default swc mode, so only use it if necessary.