Learn Composable Architecture 101 with Joel in His New YouTube Video Series
Joel is back with a five-part YouTube series on the basics of composable
Agility CMS CTO Joel Varty is back with brand new YouTube series tailor-made for developers who want to understand and leverage the power of composable architecture.
Composable Architecture 101 is a five-part video series designed for everyone from headless CMS rookies to MACH-savvy veterans. Whether you’re building from scratch or evolving an existing stack, this series delivers clarity, context, and confidence to create composability that scales.
Video 1: What Is Composable Architecture (and Why Should You Care)?
Joel kicks things off with a foundational breakdown of what composable architecture is – and why it’s more than just two trendy buzzwords put together.
In this intro video, Joel investigates:
- The essential criteria for true composability.
- Why a composable design better aligns with modern use cases.
- How composability positions your stack for long-term adaptability.
Watch What Is Composable Architecture below.
Video 2: How Composable Architecture Saves You Money
Eventually, the question gets asked: “How much is this going to cost us?”
In this video, Joel doesn’t just answer that; he breaks it down with receipts. He compares traditional digital experience platforms (DXPs) to composable solutions and exposes:
- The hidden (and painful) costs of monolithic platforms.
- Why the real money can be found in time-to-market.
- Where to find cost efficiencies in a composable stack.
Watch How Does a Composable Architecture Save You Money below.
Video 3: How to Kickstart Your Composable Architecture
Ready to build?
This one’s for you, then. Joel dives into how to get a composable stack off the ground, starting with one of its most critical pieces: a headless CMS. You’ll also learn:
- Why it’s framework flexibility über alles.
- How to “build outward” instead of getting boxed in.
- What slows teams down and how to avoid it.
Watch How to Kickstart Your Composable Architecture below.
Video 4: Switching Your Website to Composable (the Easy Way)
Migrating doesn’t have to mean rewriting everything.
In this video, Joel lays out a sane, sensible approach: start with your website and move using an incremental approach. He also shares:
- How modern CDN-based routing bridges legacy and new systems.
- Why vendor relationships matter in composable success.
- What components to add – and when – to keep your stack lean.
Watch How to Switch Your Website to Composable the Easy Way below.
Video 5: Are You Making These Composable Mistakes?
Time to talk about pitfalls and perils. In the final episode, Joel reveals the common traps teams fall into when going composable.
More importantly, he sheds light on how to avoid them by answering:
- What “future-proof” really means in practice.
- How to prevent vendor cost sprawl.
- The best practices devs actually need to know.
Watch Are You Making These Composable Mistakes below.
Composable: Simplified
Composable architecture can feel intimidating at first. But Composable Architecture 101 meets you where you are.
Whether you’re building your first composable stack or refining a MACH-driven strategy, Joel’s latest video series is packed with practical advice, analogies, and real-world insights. All delivered with Joel’s trademark blend of friendliness and expertise.
Start watching the series here: Composable Architecture 101 on YouTube.
About the Author
Jessie Dolman is a Marketing Operations Specialist at Agility CMS, bringing over five years of creative marketing experience from her time working with top agencies. Originally from Montreal, she now calls Toronto home. Jessie loves exploring the city’s vibrant neighborhoods—but she’ll always have a soft spot for a good Montreal bagel.
