Step-by-Step: Create a Laravel 12 Project from Scratch

Unlocking Laravel 12: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your First Project

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to create a Laravel 12 project step by step.
Discover the Future of PHP Development with Laravel’s Latest Innovations

Why Laravel 12? Embracing the Next Evolution

A Sneak Peek into Modern PHP Development

Laravel continues to dominate the PHP framework landscape, and Laravel 12 promises to elevate this legacy with enhanced features and optimizations. Although not officially released yet, the development branch offers a thrilling preview of what’s to come. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a curious newcomer, this guide will walk you through creating a Laravel 12 project from scratch. By the end, you’ll have a functional application and a deeper understanding of Laravel’s cutting-edge tools.

Preparing Your Workspace: Essential Tools for Laravel 12

Lay the Groundwork for Success

Before diving into coding, ensure your environment meets these prerequisites:

  1. XAMPP:
    • Install Apache and MySQL: These servers power your local development environment.
    • Why XAMPP? It bundles PHP, MySQL, and Apache, simplifying setup for beginners.
  2. Composer:
    • PHP’s Dependency Manager: Composer handles Laravel’s packages and libraries.
    • Verify Installation: Run composer --version in your terminal to confirm it’s working.
  3. Visual Studio Code (VS Code):
    • A Developer’s Best Friend: This lightweight editor supports PHP IntelliSense and debugging.
    • Recommended Extensions: Install Laravel Blade Snippets and PHP Intelephense for efficiency.

With these tools ready, you’re set to build your first Laravel 12 project.

Step 1: Creating the Laravel 12 Project

Harnessing Composer and the Laravel Installer

Option 1: Using Composer
Open your terminal and navigate to your desired folder (e.g., htdocs). Then, run:

composer create-project --prefer-dist laravel/laravel hello-world dev-master
  • What’s Happening Here?
    • dev-master fetches the latest development branch (Laravel 12).
    • Dependencies are installed automatically.

Option 2: Using the Laravel Installer
If you’ve installed the Laravel CLI globally, use:

laravel new hello-world --dev
  • Why Choose This Method? It’s faster and tailored for Laravel-specific workflows.

The installation may take 5–10 minutes, depending on your internet speed.

Step 2: Navigating to the Project Directory

Getting Oriented in Your Workspace

Once the project is created, switch to its root folder:

cd hello-world
  • Pro Tip: Use ls (Linux/Mac) or dir (Windows) to list files and confirm the directory structure.

Step 3: Launching the Project in VS Code

Streamlining Your Development Flow

To open the project in VS Code directly from the terminal:

code .

This command loads all project files into the editor. From here, you can:

  • Edit configurations in .env.
  • Modify routes in routes/web.php.
  • Customize views in resources/views.

Step 4: Running the Development Server

Bringing Your Project to Life

In the terminal, start Laravel’s built-in server:

php artisan serve

You’ll see:

Laravel development server started: http://127.0.0.1:8000
  • Accessing Your Project: Press Ctrl + Click (or copy the URL) to open the Laravel 12 welcome page.
  • Troubleshooting Tip: If port 8000 is busy, use php artisan serve --port=8080.

Exploring the Laravel 12 Project Structure

A Tour of Key Directories and Files

  1. app/:
    • Core Logic: Houses controllers, models, and middleware.
    • Example: app/Http/Controllers manages request handling.
  2. routes/web.php:
    • URL Mapping: Define endpoints like /dashboard here.
  3. resources/views/:
    • Frontend Design: Blade templates (e.g., welcome.blade.php) render HTML.
  4. config/:
    • Customization Hub: Adjust settings for databases, sessions, and more.

Understanding these components empowers you to modify and scale your app effectively.

Step 5: Customizing Your Application

From Basic Setup to Advanced Features

1. Define Custom Routes
In routes/web.php, add:

Route::get('/greeting', function () {  
    return 'Hello, Laravel 12!';  
});

Visiting /greeting will display your message.

2. Generate a Controller
Use Artisan, Laravel’s command-line tool:

php artisan make:controller GreetingController

Then, link it to a route:

Route::get('/greeting', [GreetingController::class, 'show']);

3. Design a Blade View
Create resources/views/greeting.blade.php:

<h1>{{ $message }}</h1>

Run HTML

Update the controller:

public function show() {  
    return view('greeting', ['message' => 'Welcome to Laravel 12!']);  
}

4. Configure Your Database

  • Update .env with your MySQL credentials:
DB_DATABASE=hello_world  
DB_USERNAME=root  
DB_PASSWORD=
  • Create Migrations: Use php artisan make:migration create_table_name to structure your database.

Why Laravel 12 Stands Out

Anticipating Official Features

While Laravel 12 is still in development, early adopters can expect:

  • Faster Routing: Optimized endpoint handling.
  • Enhanced Eloquent: Simplified model interactions.
  • Improved Artisan Commands: Streamlined code generation.

Stay tuned for the official release to leverage these advancements fully.

Conclusion: Your Journey Begins Here

From Setup to Mastery

Congratulations! You’ve successfully:

  1. Installed Laravel 12 using Composer or the Laravel CLI.
  2. Launched the development server and explored the project structure.
  3. Customized routes, controllers, and views to build a dynamic app.

As you experiment further, consider diving into:

  • Authentication: Implement login systems with php artisan make:auth.
  • API Development: Create RESTful endpoints in routes/api.php.
  • Testing: Use PHPUnit to ensure code reliability.

Now it’s your turn: What Laravel 12 feature excites you most? Share your thoughts below, and let’s grow together as a community!

This is the guide on Create Laravel 12 project.

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