WP Engine has launched Faust.js, a brand new headless framework that’s open supply and designed to work in any Node internet hosting setting. The framework is constructed on Subsequent.js, which may deal with each static website technology and server facet rendering. It makes use of GraphQL for knowledge fetching and is the one framework that permits builders to question the WPGraphQL API with out having to know GraphQL queries forward of time.
Faust.js was in its earlier phases when WP Engine employed WPGraphQL creator and maintainer Jason Bahl. The corporate has been closely investing in headless infrastructure development, hiring extra engineers for tasks geared toward lowering the friction of utilizing WordPress as a headless CMS. That is the principle thrust of the brand new framework – to permit builders to construct scalable, higher performing websites with fashionable frontend instruments whereas preserving WordPress’ wealthy publishing expertise. Faust.js contains content material previews, assist for customized put up sorts, and built-in authentication to assist paywalls, e-commerce, membership websites, and different performance that has historically been tough for headless websites.
How does Faust.js differ from current headless options just like the React-based Frontity framework? Builders constructing headless websites are curious after Automattic acquired Frontity and the framework’s maintainers exited to work full-time on Gutenberg. Utilizing a community-supported headless framework could be a dangerous wager for enterprise shoppers when its creators and maintainers are not capable of contribute.
“Frontity and Faust are related, the principle distinction is that Frontity focuses on offering a framework on-top of React the place Faust is primarily constructed with Subsequent.js assist in-mind,” Faust.js creator William Johnston mentioned. “This small distinction is significant and means if you find yourself utilizing Faust you may benefit from all of the wonderful advantages of Subsequent. It additionally lets Faust focus particularly on the way to make Headless WordPress a greater expertise, with out having to provide you with a complete resolution for front-end, node-base, static/server-side purposes.“
When requested how Faust stacks as much as Frontity in a remark on Reddit, WP Engine developer relations engineer Kellen Mace highlighted just a few different main variations between the frameworks. Frontity solely works with the WP REST API and Faust makes use of WPGraphQL “for extra environment friendly queries.”
“Technically, Faust is in-built ‘layers,’ so even when you select to construct your frontend app utilizing SvelteKit, Nuxt, and many others. you may nonetheless leverage a number of of the instruments Faust offers,” Mace mentioned. “We’ll have extra documentation popping out on utilizing it with different JS frameworks within the close to future. Utilizing it with Subsequent.js provides you essentially the most ‘bang on your buck,’ nevertheless.”
Johnston confirmed that sure components of Faust (the core/React items), are already working with the React-based GatsbyJS framework. Faust is much less opinionated in regards to the frontend and is extra centered round making the WordPress publishing expertise higher.
A demo of Faust in motion is on the market at builders.wpengine.com. The framework, which incorporates NPM packages and a WordPress plugin, will be discovered on GitHub, however its maintainers warning that there will likely be breaking modifications sooner or later. Builders who’re inquisitive about studying extra about Faust.js can take a look at the documentation or take heed to the latest episode of the DE{CODE} podcast the place Johnston discusses headless WordPress and introduces the framework.