---
title: Get started with Optimizely Graph for CMS (SaaS)
slug: graph/docs/get-started-with-optimizely-graph-for-cms-saas
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-07-30T20:30:20.147Z
---

Configure Optimizely Graph and Content Management System (SaaS) in minutes. This guide covers authentication, basic queries, and configuration for Next.js, React, and C# applications using the Mosey Bank CMS example, [Mosey bank episerverdata file](https://world.optimizely.com/globalassets/downloads/moseybank-2.episerverdata).

## Prerequisites

- Optimizely CMS (SaaS) instance with content configured.
- API keys from your Optimizely Graph instance.
- [Basic knowledge of GraphQL](docId\:sNcLLcLYgWv_QVb0Mtqus).

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**
This article uses the Mosey Bank CMS template as an example. The Mosey Bank template includes content types like `LandingPage`, `BlogPostPage`, `NewsArticleSite1`, and various elements and blocks that demonstrate real-world CMS (SaaS) usage patterns.
:::

## About CMS (SaaS)

Optimizely CMS (SaaS) is a cloud-native content management system. The capabilities in the following list shape how content flows into Optimizely Graph and what your queries can retrieve.

- **Headless-first architecture** – Content is created and managed separately from presentation.
- **Visual Builder** – Content editors create and preview experiences visually.
- **Multi-channel delivery** – Content is delivered to websites, mobile apps, and other channels.
- **Personalization** – Target content to specific audiences.
- **Composable content** – Mix and match content blocks and elements.

## Run your first query

Run a baseline `_Content` query to confirm the connection to Optimizely Graph and inspect the content structure in CMS (SaaS) before building application-specific queries.

```graphql
query GetContentItems {
  _Content(limit: 10) {
    items {
      _metadata {
        displayName
        url {
          default
        }
        types
      }
    }
    total
  }
}
```

Test this query with the Mosey Bank template.

1. Open the [GraphiQL IDE](https://staging.cg.optimizely.com/app/graphiql?auth=YOUR_ACCESS_KEY).
2. Paste the previous query into the GraphiQL IDE.
3. Click **Play** to run the query.

## Understand CMS (SaaS) content structure

CMS (SaaS) organizes content differently from CMS 12. The following sections describe the system fields and content types you encounter when querying a CMS (SaaS) instance through Optimizely Graph.

### System fields

CMS (SaaS) attaches a standard `_metadata` object to every content item. Use these fields to identify, locate, and version content in your queries.

```graphql
query ExploreMetadata {
  _Content(limit: 3) {
    items {
      _metadata {
        displayName      # User-friendly name
        key             # Unique identifier
        locale          # Content language
        types           # Content type names
        url {           # URL information
          default
          hierarchical
          base
        }
        published       # Publication date
        lastModified    # Last modification date
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Content types

The Mosey Bank example ships with the following content types, which represent the building blocks you query against in this guide.

- `LandingPage` – Marketing and promotional pages.
- `BlogPostPage` – Blog articles and news.
- `Various Blocks` – Reusable content components (`HeroBlock`, `TextBlock`, `ButtonBlock`, and so on).
- `Elements` – Individual content elements (`HeadingElement`, `ParagraphElement`, `ImageElement`, and so on).

## Next steps

Continue with [Explore your schema](docId\:sNcLLcLYgWv_QVb0Mtqus) to inspect the available content types and validate filter and search queries against your instance.