---
title: "Introduction"
description: "Use Kirby as a backend for frontend apps, static site generators, or mobile apps – bearer token auth, KQL enhancements, and JSON templates included."
canonical_url: "https://kirby.tools/docs/headless/getting-started"
---

# Introduction

> Use Kirby as a backend for frontend apps, static site generators, or mobile apps – bearer token auth, KQL enhancements, and JSON templates included.

Kirby Headless is a plugin for [Kirby CMS](https://getkirby.com) that lets you keep editing in Kirby while serving the result to whatever frontend you prefer. Drop it into an existing site without breaking your Panel or HTML routes – or start a headless-only project from scratch.

<note>

Check out the [Kirby Headless Starter](https://github.com/johannschopplich/kirby-headless-starter) for a ready-to-use headless-only setup.

</note>

## Features

- **Bearer Token Authentication**: Secure your [KQL](/docs/headless/usage/kql) and custom API endpoints
- **Enhanced Blocks & Layouts**: Resolve UUIDs to [file and page objects](/docs/headless/usage/field-methods) automatically
- **KQL Enhancements**: Built-in caching and multi-language support
- **JSON Templates**: Return [JSON from templates](/docs/headless/usage/json-templates) instead of HTML
- **API Builder**: Express-style [middleware support](/docs/headless/advanced/api-builder) for custom routes
- **Panel Integration**: Frontend preview URLs and automatic Panel redirects

---

Every page of this site as Markdown: <https://kirby.tools/sitemap.md>