Architecture Review: Kirby CMS Project

Overview

This is a well-structured Kirby CMS project for a web development agency that follows modern content management patterns with a block-based architecture. The project uses Twig templating and implements a modular, component-based approach.

Architecture Strengths

1. Block-Based Content Architecture Modular Design: The project implements a sophisticated block-based content system where pages are composed of reusable content blocks

Available Blocks:

• block-text-image: Text content with accompanying images
• block-contact-form: Contact forms with validation
• block-team: Team member showcases
• block-project-overview: Project portfolio displays
• block-contact: Contact information blocks
• block_full_page_slider: Hero/banner sliders Flexibility: This approach allows content editors to build complex pages without developer intervention

2. Template Hierarchy & Organization Clean Separation: Templates are well-organized with clear separation of concerns Template Inheritance: Uses Twig's extends functionality with a base layout.twig Template Types:

• home.twig: Specialized homepage template with full-window layout
• default.twig: Standard page template with breadcrumbs
• project.twig: Detailed project showcase with image galleries
• error.twig: Error handling

3. Component-Based Structure Partial Templates: Well-organized partials in /parts/:

• header.html.twig
• footer.html.twig
• nav.html.twig
• breadcrumb.html.twig Block Templates: Each block type has its own template for consistent rendering Asset Management: SVG assets are properly organized and included

4. Multi-language Support Internationalization: Built-in support for multiple languages (German, English, Spanish based on content structure) Language Switching: Header includes language switcher functionality Localized Content: Translation functions implemented throughout templates

5. Content Type Flexibility Page Types: Multiple blueprint types for different content:

• default.yml: General pages with full block support
• home.yml: Homepage with specialized blocks
• project.yml: Project pages with metadata, tags, and media
• person.yml: Team member profiles
• partner.yml: Partner/client pages Field Reusability: Common field definitions in /fields/ for consistency

Technical Implementation

1. Frontend Integration

• Asset Pipeline: Proper asset fingerprinting for cache busting
• Progressive Enhancement: Lazy loading for images
• Performance: Optimized image delivery with multiple sizes/crops

Modern Features:

• HTMX for dynamic form submissions
• Swiper.js for image galleries
• Google reCAPTCHA integration

2. Form Handling

• Robust Validation: Server-side form validation using Uniform
• Email Integration: Symfony Mailer for email delivery
• Error Handling: Comprehensive error messaging and validation
• Security: CSRF protection and proper sanitization

3. SEO & Analytics

• Meta Management: Integrated meta tag management
• Analytics: Multiple tracking systems (Matomo, Google Analytics)
• Sitemap: Automated sitemap generation
• Performance: Proper meta tags, favicons, and web app manifest

Areas for Improvement

1. Blueprint Consistency

• Incomplete Blocks: Some blocks like block-team.yml have minimal field definitions
• Missing Documentation: Block blueprints could benefit from better field descriptions and help text
• Validation: Some required fields lack proper validation rules

2. Template Optimization

• DRY Principle: Some repetitive code in block templates could be abstracted
• Error Handling: More robust error handling for missing images/content
• Accessibility: Could benefit from better ARIA labels and semantic markup

3. Security Considerations

• Input Sanitization: While forms are validated, ensure all user input is properly sanitized
• File Upload Security: Image upload handling should include file type validation
• Rate Limiting: Contact forms could benefit from rate limiting

4. Performance Opportunities

• Image Optimization: Consider WebP format support for better compression
• Critical CSS: Inline critical CSS for above-the-fold content
• Preloading: Strategic resource preloading for better performance

Architecture Score: 8.5/10

Strengths:

• Excellent modular architecture
• Clean separation of concerns
• Scalable content management approach
• Good internationalization support
• Modern frontend integration

Recommendations:

• Complete the block blueprint definitions with proper field validation
• Implement consistent error handling across all templates
• Add comprehensive field help text for content editors
• Consider implementing a design system for consistent block styling
• Add automated testing for form functionality
• Implement proper logging and monitoring

Existing Architecture Details - Blueprint Definitions

Site-Level Blueprint (site.yml) Global Site Configuration:

• Tabs Structure: Pages, Menu Configuration, Global Data, Meta
• Menu Management: Main menu and footer menu with structured fields
• Global Assets: Contact images management
• Multi-language Support: Built-in language handling

Page Blueprints

1. Home Page (home.yml)

• Purpose: Landing page with specialized layout
• Block Support: Only block_full_page_slider
• Layout: 3/4 content area, 1/4 sidebar
• Sidebar Features: Image management, subpage listing (default template only)

2. Default Page (default.yml)

• Purpose: Standard content pages with full block functionality
• Block Support: 7 different block types
  • block-project-overview
  • block-text-image
  • block-service-overview (blueprint missing)
  • block-text
  • block-team
  • block-contact
  • block-contact-form
• Layout: 3/4 content area, 1/4 sidebar
• Sidebar Features: Image management, subpage listing (default, project, partner, person templates)

3. Project Page (project.yml)

• Purpose: Portfolio/project showcase pages
• Content Fields:
  • Date (required)
  • Teaser title (required)
  • Teaser description
  • Teaser image (required, single)
  • Tags (predefined options: web-development, mobile-app, e-commerce, branding, ui-ux-design, backend, frontend, cms, api, responsive)
  • Project URL with link text
  • Multiple project images (required)
  • Design/concept partner reference
  • Rich text description (blocks)
  • Features structure (name + icon)
• Layout: 3/4 content area, 1/4 sidebar
• No Block Support: Uses traditional fields instead of blocks

4. Person Page (person.yml)

• Purpose: Team member profiles
• Content Fields:
  • Teaser description
  • Teaser picture (optional)
  • Hidden picture (optional)
  • Quote text
  • Name
  • Email
• Layout: 3/4 content area, 1/4 sidebar
• No Block Support: Uses traditional fields

5. Partner Page (partner.yml)

• Purpose: Business partner/client profiles
• Content Fields:
  • Name (required)
  • Partner URL (required)
• Layout: 3/4 content area, 1/4 sidebar
• No Block Support: Minimal field structure

6. Error Page (error.yml)

• Purpose: Error handling pages
• Content Fields:
  • Title field
  • Large textarea
  • Error image (optional)
• Simple Structure: Basic preset page

7. Redirect Page (redirect.yml)

• Purpose: URL redirection management
• Content Fields:
  • Redirection URL (required)
• Features: Status management, delete capability
• No URL Option: URL disabled for this template

Block Blueprints

1. Text Block (block-text.yml)

• Fields: Rich text content (heading, text, list)
• Styling: Margin bottom control (10, 20, 40, 60px options)

2. Text with Image Block (block-text-image.yml)

• Content Tab: Rich text description Link object (page/URL, text, target) Multiple images Anchor text
• Style Tab: Image position (left/right)

3. Team Block (block-team.yml)

• Fields: Title only (minimal implementation)

4. Contact Block (block-contact.yml)

• Fields: Multiple images Introduction textarea Rich text description

5. Contact Form Block (block-contact-form.yml)

• Fields: Rich text description only (form handled by controller)

6. Project Overview Block (block-project-overview.yml)

• Fields: Title only (minimal implementation)

7. Full Page Slider Block (block_full_page_slider.yml)

• Structure Field: Slider items with:
  • Single image (required)
  • Textarea description (required)
  • Link object (page/URL, text, target)
  • Date range (from/to)
  • Anchor (required)
  • Icon color (white/blue)

Field Blueprints

1. Image Field (image.yml)

• Type: Files (image uploads)
• Settings: Single image, required by default
• Usage: Extended throughout other blueprints

2. Image File Blueprint (image.yml)

• Fields:
  • Alt text
  • Caption/prompt
  • Seed field
• Accepted Formats: JPEG, PNG, SVG, WebP

Architecture Issues Identified

Missing Blueprints:

• block-service-overview.yml - Referenced in default.yml but doesn't exist Incomplete Blueprints:
• block-team.yml - Only has title field
• block-project-overview.yml - Only has title field
• block-contact-form.yml - Minimal content, form logic in controller Inconsistencies:
• Block naming: Mixed conventions (block-text vs block_full_page_slider)
• Field complexity: Varying levels of implementation across blocks
• Tab usage: Some blocks use tabs, others don't

Recommended Architecture Improvements:

• Complete missing blueprint: Create block-service-overview.yml
• Standardize naming: Use consistent block naming convention
• Enhance minimal blocks: Add proper fields to team and project overview blocks
• Add validation: Implement proper field validation rules
• Documentation: Add help text and descriptions to fields
• Consistency: Standardize tab usage across complex blocks

📊 Architecture Report & Taxonomy Integration Plan (Kirby CMS)

1️⃣ Current Blueprint & Data Architecture Overview

Site-Level Blueprint (site.yml)

• Purpose: Global site configuration and assets.
• Tabs: Pages, Menu Configuration, Global Data, Meta.
• Global Data: Contact images, multilingual setup.
• Menus: Main menu & footer menu via structured fields.

Page Blueprints

Block Blueprints

Field Blueprints

• image.yml (file selector)
• image.yml (file metadata: alt, caption, seed, accepted formats: JPG/PNG/SVG/WebP)

2️⃣ Architecture Issues Summary

• Missing: block-service-overview.yml

• Incomplete: block-team.yml, block-project-overview.yml, block-contact-form.yml

• Inconsistency:

  • Block naming (block-text vs block_full_page_slider)
  • Tab usage (inconsistent across blocks)
  • Field complexity (some very minimal, some well-defined)

• Validation gaps: Few required fields, no help text in many places

3️⃣ Goal: Add a Taxonomy System for Projects

We need a taxonomy layer to manage reusable metadata such as:

• Technologies: e.g., Drupal, Symfony, React, Docker
• Features: e.g., API Integration, Offline Mode, PWA Support
• Tags: e.g., backend, frontend, e-commerce

Why a Taxonomy Layer?

• Centralized management of categories
• Reusable across multiple projects
• Easier filtering & grouping in front-end templates
• Future-proofing (e.g., can be extended for blog posts, case studies, etc.)

4️⃣ Recommended Kirby Taxonomy Implementation

4.1 Data Model

Create a /content/taxonomies/ folder to store taxonomy categories:

content/
  taxonomies/
    technologies/
      drupal/
        drupal.txt
      symfony/
        symfony.txt
    features/
      api-integration/
        api-integration.txt
      offline-mode/
        offline-mode.txt

4.2 Blueprint: Taxonomy Type

site/blueprints/pages/taxonomy.yml

title: Taxonomy
preset: page
fields:
  category:
    label: Category
    type: select
    options:
      - technology
      - feature
      - tag
    required: true
  description:
    label: Description
    type: textarea
    size: small

4.3 Blueprint: Project (Updated)

site/blueprints/pages/project.yml

title: Project
fields:
  date:
    label: Date
    type: date
    required: true
  teaser_title:
    label: Teaser Title
    type: text
    required: true
  teaser_description:
    label: Teaser Description
    type: textarea
  teaser_image:
    extends: fields/image
    required: true
  project_url:
    label: Project URL
    type: url
  technologies:
    label: Technologies
    type: pages
    multiple: true
    query: site.find("taxonomies/technologies").children
  features:
    label: Features
    type: pages
    multiple: true
    query: site.find("taxonomies/features").children
  tags:
    label: Tags
    type: pages
    multiple: true
    query: site.find("taxonomies/tags").children

4.4 Frontend Usage

<ul class="project-technologies">
  <?php foreach ($page->technologies()->toPages() as $tech): ?>
    <li><?= $tech->title() ?></li>
  <?php endforeach ?>
</ul>

5️⃣ Migration & Change Management

Step 1: Prepare

• Create taxonomies/ page with children for technologies, features, tags
• Migrate current project tags into taxonomy entries

Step 2: Update Blueprints

• Replace hardcoded tags field in project.yml with pages selector

Step 3: Update Templates

• Adapt project.php snippet to loop through selected taxonomy items

Step 4: Editor Training

• Provide a simple doc: “How to add a new Technology or Feature”

Step 5: Version Control & Backup

• Commit blueprint changes and content/ additions together

6️⃣ Future Enhancements

• Filtering in Panel: Use custom sections to list projects by technology
• Icons for Taxonomies: Add an optional icon field in taxonomy blueprint
• API Exposure: Serve taxonomy data via Kirby API for frontend filters
• Search Integration: Make taxonomies searchable

7️⃣ Benefits

• ♻️ Reusability: Add/update technologies & features once
• 🗂 Consistency: Prevent typos & duplicates
• 🔍 Better filtering: Enables advanced project listings
• 🚀 Scalability: Easily add new categories without blueprint rewrites

Possible Slugs

• kirby-taxonomy-system-projects
• project-characteristics-taxonomy-kirby
• kirby-reusable-technologies-features
• kirby-taxonomy-architecture-upgrade

If you want, I can also prepare a Kirby content model diagram in PlantUML showing how Project relates to Taxonomy entries. That would make the structure much easier to visualize for your future edits.