Glossary: TypoScript

TypoScript

TypoScript is the configuration language used in TYPO3 to control how content is structured and displayed in the frontend. It is not a traditional programming language but rather a declarative syntax that tells TYPO3 how to render content.

Use Cases for TypoScript

TypoScript is typically used to define:

• Which content elements appear on which pages
• Which templates and structures are applied
• Which paths, IDs, colors, or other constants should be used system-wide

Structure of TypoScript

TypoScript usually consists of two main sections:

• Constants: Global values such as paths, IDs, or color codes that can be defined and changed in one place.
• Setup: The section where the actual page structure and output logic are configured. For example, it defines which menus are shown or how specific content is rendered.

Advantages

• No programming skills required – purely configuration-based
• Well structured and easy to understand
• Changes take effect immediately after saving (and clearing the cache)
• Can be edited directly in the TYPO3 backend (Template module)

Typical Use Case

A common use of TypoScript is customizing or extending the output logic of a website – for example, creating a custom navigation, embedding additional data sources, or conditionally hiding content elements on specific pages.