---
title: Custom Datalayer
last_edited: '2025-07-15T06:59:09.720Z'
---

Setting up your own datalayer gives you complete control over how TinaCMS interacts with your content. This guide provides an overview of the key components and concepts.

## Core Components

When self-hosting the TinaCMS datalayer, you'll need to configure four main components:

### 1. Backend Host

The backend host is where your datalayer API will run. Common options include:

* Next.js API routes
* Vercel Serverless Functions
* Netlify Functions

### 2. Database Adapter

The database adapter determines where your content index is stored. Options include:

* MongoDB
* Vercel KV
* Custom database solutions

Learn more in the [official Database Adapter documentation](https://tina.io/docs/reference/self-hosted/database-adapter/overview).

### 3. Git Provider

The Git provider manages how your content files are stored and retrieved. Options include:

* GitHub
* Custom Git providers

Learn more in the [official Git Provider documentation](https://tina.io/docs/reference/self-hosted/git-provider/overview).

### 4. Auth Provider

The auth provider handles user authentication for your CMS. Options include:

* Auth.js (formerly NextAuth.js)
* Clerk
* TinaCloud auth
* Custom auth solutions

Learn more in the [official Auth Provider documentation](https://tina.io/docs/reference/self-hosted/auth-provider/overview).

## Getting Started

For complete step-by-step instructions on configuring your own datalayer, we recommend following the [official TinaCMS Self-Hosting documentation](https://tina.io/docs/self-hosted/overview).

The official documentation provides detailed examples, code snippets, and best practices for setting up each component of your custom datalayer.