Question 1

Are the components really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All display components (Collection, Item, Pagination, Load More, Search, Tag List, Related Items, and Comments) are free on the Elements Store. The Online Editor is also free. You only pay if you need Pro features like unlimited users, version history, or webhooks.

Question 2

What do I need to get started?

Accepted Answer

You need a RapidWeaver Elements website. Install the free components from the Elements Store, drop them onto your pages, add Markdown files, and publish. No database, no server configuration, no hosting changes required.

Question 3

Do I need the Online Editor to use Markdown content?

Accepted Answer

No. The free components read and display Markdown files directly — manage them with any text editor you like. The Online Editor adds a browser-based visual editor when you want to edit content without touching files directly.

Question 4

Where are my files hosted?

Accepted Answer

Wherever your site is hosted. Elements CMS doesn't require any external service — your Markdown files sit on the same server as your site. No third-party accounts, no additional hosting costs.

Question 5

Can clients use this on sites I build?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Set yourself up as admin, create an editor account for your client, and hand them a clean browser-based interface to manage their content. They never need to touch RapidWeaver or any files.

Question 6

How does the editor license work?

Accepted Answer

Each Pro license covers one domain. If you build sites for clients, each site needs its own license. Licenses can be transferred to a different domain at any time.

Question 7

What happens if I cancel my Pro subscription?

Accepted Answer

Your content is unaffected — it's all standard Markdown files on your server. Pro features in the Online Editor stop working, but your published site continues to display all content normally through the free components.

Question 8

Is my content locked in?

Accepted Answer

Never. Everything is plain Markdown with YAML frontmatter — an open, universal format. No proprietary database, no export step, no vendor lock-in. Your content works in any text editor and can be version-controlled with Git.

Official Blog

The Elements CMS Blog

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What's new in Elements CMS v2

Elements CMS v2 is coming

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