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Version: 2026.1

MVC in Pimcore

Pimcore builds on Symfony's MVC architecture and adds a content management layer through Documents. Instead of mapping every URL to a controller via route configuration, Pimcore resolves requests to documents in the document tree. Each document then determines which controller and template handle the rendering.

Document Rendering Flow​

  1. A request comes in and routing resolves it to a document.
  2. The document's settings determine the controller and template (see type configuration below).
  3. The controller executes, receiving the document as context.
  4. If the controller returns a Response, that response is sent to the client.
  5. If the controller does not return a Response, the configured template is rendered automatically, with the document and its editables available in the template.

Document Type Configuration​

Documents can be configured in three ways, controlling how controller and template are resolved:

Documents: controller and view settingsDocuments: controller and view settingsDocuments: controller and view settings

TypeControllerTemplateDescription
1XThe specified controller is executed. If it returns a Response, that response is used.
2XXSame as Type 1, but the specified template is rendered instead of the auto-discovered one (if no Response).
3XRenders the template with the default controller. Useful for pages with only template logic.

Pimcore ships a default controller that is used when only a template is assigned to a document. You can configure a custom default controller:

pimcore:
    documents:
        default_controller: App\Controller\DefaultController::defaultAction

File Structure​

The most common paths for MVC components in a Pimcore project:

PathDescription
/src/ControllerController classes, e.g. ContentController.php
/templates/Twig templates, following Symfony naming: /templates/[controller]/[action].html.twig

Pimcore controllers typically extend Pimcore\Controller\FrontendController, which provides access to the current document, edit mode detection, and other Pimcore-specific features.

Further Reading​