5 expert tips to run TYPO3 CMS more sustainably
Tags: opensource, typo3, cms, advice
Published: 2021-02-24 17:29:35

At this point I'll try to show 5 important new tips I've learned myself while working on client projects with the [TYPO3 CMS](https://typo3.org/).

## 1. Create content elements with on-board tools, not with mask or flux

Most content elements can be implemented without extensions like [flux](https://extensions.typo3.org/extension/flux/) or [mask](https://extensions.typo3.org/extension/mask/). Often even faster and more innovative. It depends on the skills of the developer. Of course, content elements can be clicked together quickly and easily initially, but in the long run, content elements that use the standard tables and functions of the Extbase framework are less maintenance intensive.

## 2. Use as few third-party extensions as possible

It's tempting to use the extension manager, and install anything to your heart's content. Often you can quickly reach the goal of a project. But TYPO3 is different. After 1-2 major updates at the latest, you usually have a problem if you use too many extensions. At least one of them is no longer developed, or is not compatible. Then it can become very costly with TYPO3.

## 3. Use a professional theme extension

To be honest, there are hardly any usable themes for TYPO3. But one of them is the [Bootstrap Package](https://www.bootstrap-package.com/) from Benjamin Kott, the TYPO3 backend developer. I can highly recommend this theme, because it is built in a sustainable way.

If you don't use the Bootstrap Package, make sure you create a theme extension yourself and stick to the [TYPO3 standards](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/reference-coreapi/master/en-us/CodingGuidelines/Index.html).

TypoScript configurations or CSS stylesheets should not be in the [fileadmin](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/tutorial-getting-started/master/en-us/FileModule/Index.html) or database.

## 4. Use only what you really need

The [TYPO3 backend](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/tutorial-getting-started/master/en-us/GeneralPrinciples/BackendAndFrontend/Index.html) generates a lot of data. If you don't set up a TYPO3 installation correctly, it will inexorably generate data and huge log files. Therefore you should deactivate all modules in the backend that you don't need. Also a consideration is to disable the log module, because this occupies massive memory in the database. In addition, there are various settings with which you can [prevent the creation of log files](https://docs.typo3.org/m/typo3/reference-coreapi/master/en-us/ApiOverview/Deprecation/Index.html).

## 5. Keep everything up to date

TYPO3 updates are generally considered difficult. But this doesn't have to be, if you keep the 4 previous points. The last point for this article is to update the system regularly.

From experience it becomes really expensive if TYPO3 systems have not been updated for 2-3 years. A jump over several major versions has never really worked, at least not for me.

### If you like this one, you might like the others:
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- [Working and living as a Freelancer in Panama](https://dev.to/typo3freelancer/working-and-living-as-a-freelancer-in-panama-305k)
- [Earn more money as a web designer](https://webdesign-tricks.com/en/article/earn-more-money-as-web-designer-2020)