How to Use the Laravel Command-Line Installer (with examples)

The Laravel command-line installer is a convenient and efficient tool for developers to initialize new Laravel applications. Whether you are building a simple web application or a complex system, the Laravel installer simplifies the setup process. It provides various options to customize your installation, from selecting the latest development release to scaffolding features like Jetstream. This article explores several use cases of the Laravel installer, providing insights into its practical applications and potential outcomes.

Use case 1: Create a new Laravel application

Code:

laravel new name

Motivation:
Creating a new Laravel application from scratch is one of the first steps for developers when starting a new project. This command automates the installation process, setting up a fresh Laravel application quickly and efficiently.

Explanation:

• laravel: This invokes the Laravel installer via the command line.
• new: The new keyword indicates that a new Laravel project should be created.
• name: Instead of name, you substitute the desired name for your application. This could be something like blog, portfolio, or any other name relevant to your project.

Example output:
Upon execution, you’ll receive a message indicating the successful creation of the Laravel application with all the necessary directories and configuration files populated, such as:

Crafting application...
Application ready! Build something amazing.

Use case 2: Use the latest development release

Code:

laravel new name --dev

Motivation:
Opting for the latest development release is crucial when you want to experiment with the new features and improvements that are being introduced in Laravel. This is ideal for developers who want to stay on the cutting edge or for those involved in testing and contributing to the Laravel framework.

Explanation:

• name: Here, replace name with your chosen application name.
• --dev: The --dev flag instructs the installer to use the latest development version of Laravel, which might include upcoming features that are not yet available in the stable release.

Example output:
The command will pull the latest version from the development branch, and you might see:

Crafting application using the latest development release...
Application ready! Build something amazing.

Use case 3: Overwrite if the directory already exists

Code:

laravel new name --force

Motivation:
Using the --force option is helpful when you want to restart the setup process in an existing directory that you no longer need. This ensures that your current application is overwritten, and a fresh installation is done without manually deleting files.

Explanation:

• name: Specifies the directory or project name where the installation will occur.
• --force: The --force flag overrides existing directories with the same name, replacing old files with the new installation files.

Example output:
Using this command might show:

Directory already exists, proceeding with overwriting...
Crafting application...
Application ready! Build something amazing.

Use case 4: Install the Laravel Jetstream scaffolding

Code:

laravel new name --jet

Motivation:
Jetstream is a starting point for Laravel applications that require dynamic features such as user authentication, API support, and more. Installing Jetstream provides a robust foundation for building sophisticated applications with authentication and advanced features.

Explanation:

• name: Name your application project.
• --jet: This option installs Laravel Jetstream, bringing in a comprehensive set of features like authentication, registration, email verification, and more.

Example output:
You’ll see the installation of Jetstream-related packages, with an output like:

Crafting application with Jetstream...
Jetstream scaffolding installed successfully.

Use case 5: Install the Laravel Jetstream scaffolding with a specific stack

Code:

laravel new name --jet --stack livewire|inertia

Motivation:
When using Jetstream, developers can choose between Livewire and Inertia.js as their preferred stack. This flexibility allows developers to tailor the front-end experience based on the specific requirements and preferences of the project.

Explanation:

• name: Replace with your application’s name.
• --jet: Installs Jetstream scaffolding.
• --stack livewire|inertia: The --stack option specifies whether to use Livewire or Inertia.js. You must choose one, indicating your preference for interactive components or a more traditional reactive approach.

Example output:
Depending on the choice of stack, you might see:

Crafting application with Jetstream and Livewire stack...
Installation successful.

-or-

Crafting application with Jetstream and Inertia stack...
Installation successful.

Use case 6: Install the Laravel Jetstream scaffolding with support for teams

Code:

laravel new name --jet --teams

Motivation:
Team-based functionality is a requirement for applications that have multi-user collaboration and management features. Incorporating team functionality from the get-go can save valuable development time and establish a mature, ready-to-use system for managing teams.

Explanation:

• name: Define your application’s name.
• --jet: Installs the Jetstream features.
• --teams: This option adds team support, allowing for group-based user management and capabilities out of the box.

Example output:
When installed, you’ll receive confirmation:

Crafting application with Jetstream and team support...
Teams functionality installed successfully.

Use case 7: List the available installer commands

Code:

laravel list

Motivation:
Listing all available commands is extremely useful for users who want to learn more about what the Laravel installer can do or to discover additional features and options. It provides a comprehensive overview of all functionalities without needing to search through external documentation.

Explanation:

• list: This command simply displays all available commands and options you can use with the Laravel installer.

Example output:
On execution, you’ll see a list of commands such as:

Available commands:
  help    Display help for a command
  list    List commands
  new     Create a new Laravel application
  ...

Conclusion:

The Laravel command-line installer is a powerful and versatile tool, offering various options for initializing and customizing a new Laravel application quickly. By utilizing different flags and options, developers can craft applications perfectly tailored to their specific needs—from adopting the latest cutting-edge features to installing comprehensive scaffolding. Whether setting up team functionalities or experimenting with development versions, the Laravel installer streamlines and simplifies the entire setup process, enhancing productivity and focusing efforts on actual application development.