How To Deploy Laravel 11 Applications With Laravel Forge

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Deploying Laravel 11 Applications with Laravel Forge

Laravel Forge is a powerful tool designed to simplify the deployment and management of Laravel applications. It provides a user-friendly interface and a plethora of features that make deploying Laravel applications to various cloud providers a breeze. Here’s a step-by-step guide on deploying a Laravel 11 application using Laravel Forge.

Step 1: Sign Up and Configure Laravel Forge

  1. Sign Up: Begin by signing up for a Laravel Forge account if you haven’t already. Laravel Forge offers a free trial, after which you can choose a subscription plan that fits your needs.
  2. Connect Your Server: Once signed in, you’ll need to connect your server. Laravel Forge supports various cloud providers like DigitalOcean, Linode, AWS, and more. Choose your preferred provider, and Forge will guide you through the setup process. This typically involves creating an API token with your cloud provider and entering it into Forge.

Step 2: Create a New Site

  1. Select Your Server: After connecting your server, you can create a new site. Choose the server where you want to deploy your Laravel application.
  2. Create a New Site: Click on “Create Site” and fill in the necessary details. You’ll need to provide a domain name (or subdomain) for your application. Forge will handle the configuration of Nginx and other necessary services.

Step 3: Deploy Your Laravel Application

  1. Connect to Your Repository: Forge integrates with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket. Connect your preferred Git repository where your Laravel 11 application code resides. Forge will ask for access permissions to clone your repository.
  2. Configure Deployment Script: Forge provides a default deployment script, which you can customize as needed. This script typically includes commands to pull the latest code, install composer dependencies, run database migrations, and clear caches. A basic deployment script might look like this:
   cd /home/forge/your-domain.com
   git pull origin main
   composer install --no-interaction --prefer-dist --optimize-autoloader
   php artisan migrate --force
   php artisan cache:clear
   php artisan config:cache
   php artisan route:cache
  1. Environment Variables: Set up your .env file for the production environment. Forge provides a simple interface to manage environment variables. Make sure to configure your database, mail, and other settings.

Step 4: SSL Configuration

  1. Enable SSL: Secure your application by enabling SSL. Forge integrates with Let’s Encrypt to provide free SSL certificates. Navigate to the SSL tab of your site and click “Obtain Certificate.” Forge will handle the entire process, including renewing the certificate automatically.

Step 5: Additional Configuration

  1. Queue Workers: If your application uses Laravel queues, you can set up queue workers from the “Daemon” tab in Forge. This ensures that background jobs are processed efficiently.
  2. Scheduled Tasks: Use the “Scheduler” tab to manage your Laravel scheduled tasks. Forge allows you to define cron jobs directly from the interface.

Step 6: Final Steps

  1. Test Your Application: Once everything is set up, thoroughly test your application to ensure it’s running smoothly in the production environment. Check for any configuration issues, database connections, and that all routes are accessible.
  2. Monitoring and Maintenance: Forge offers monitoring tools and notifications to keep you informed about your server’s health. Regularly monitor your application’s performance and address any issues promptly.

Deploying a Laravel 11 application with Laravel Forge is straightforward and efficient, thanks to its integration with various cloud providers, seamless Git repository management, and robust deployment tools. By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth deployment process and focus on building and improving your application rather than dealing with the complexities of server management.

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