Categories: Laravel, Web AgencyTags: , 3.1 min read

Laravel, the renowned PHP framework, has officially launched version 12 on February 24, 2025. This release brings a host of new features, including revamped starter kits and the introduction of Laravel Cloud, aiming to enhance developer productivity and streamline application deployment.

New Starter Kits

Laravel 12 introduces new starter kits designed to provide developers with a seamless starting point for their projects. These kits support popular front-end technologies such as React, Vue, and Livewire, and come pre-configured with modern component libraries like ShadCN. For Livewire users, there’s an option to integrate a free version of Flux components. Each starter kit is maintained in a separate GitHub repository, allowing developers full control over the codebase without hidden dependencies.

React Starter Kit

The React Starter Kit combines Laravel with React 19, TypeScript, Inertia 2, and shadcn/ui. This setup offers a robust foundation for building dynamic, single-page applications with a modern JavaScript stack. Developers can leverage the power of React’s component-based architecture alongside Laravel’s backend capabilities.

Vue Starter Kit

For developers preferring Vue.js, the Vue Starter Kit integrates Laravel with Vue 3, TypeScript, Inertia 2, and shadcn-vue. This combination provides a smooth development experience for crafting interactive user interfaces, utilizing Vue’s reactive data binding and component system.

Livewire Starter Kit

The Livewire Starter Kit is tailored for those who favor server-driven front-end development. It pairs Laravel with Livewire and Tailwind CSS, enabling developers to build dynamic interfaces without leaving the comfort of Laravel’s PHP environment. This approach simplifies the development process by eliminating the need for a separate JavaScript framework.

Each starter kit includes authentication, registration, and user settings out of the box, allowing developers to focus on building core features. The kits also support both light and dark modes, catering to user preferences. To get started with these kits, visit the Laravel Starter Kits page.

Laravel Cloud

Coinciding with the release of Laravel 12, the Laravel team has unveiled Laravel Cloud, a fully managed infrastructure platform tailored for Laravel applications. Laravel Cloud enables developers to deploy applications directly from a GitHub repository to a live environment in under a minute. The platform currently supports PostgreSQL databases, with plans to add MySQL support in the near future. This service simplifies the deployment process, allowing developers to focus more on building features rather than managing infrastructure.

Key Features of Laravel Cloud

  • One-Click Deployment: Deploy your Laravel applications directly from your Git repository with minimal configuration. Laravel Cloud integrates seamlessly with popular version control systems, enabling continuous deployment workflows.

  • Managed Infrastructure: Laravel Cloud handles all aspects of server maintenance, including updates, security patches, and scaling. This ensures your applications run smoothly without the overhead of manual server management.

  • Scalability: Automatically scale your applications based on traffic and usage patterns. Laravel Cloud’s infrastructure adjusts resources in real-time, ensuring optimal performance during traffic spikes.

  • Integrated Services: Laravel Cloud offers built-in support for databases, caching, storage, and more. This tight integration reduces the need for third-party services and simplifies application architecture.

  • Team Collaboration: Invite team members to collaborate on projects, with role-based access control to manage permissions effectively.

Redesigned Laravel Website

In addition to the new features, Laravel has launched a redesigned website to coincide with the release of version 12. The new site offers an updated user experience, reflecting Laravel’s commitment to providing a modern and intuitive interface for its community.

Upgrade Considerations

Laravel 12 maintains a commitment to stability by ensuring that this major update does not introduce breaking changes. This approach allows existing applications to upgrade seamlessly without requiring code modifications. Developers are encouraged to review the official release notes and upgrade guides to ensure a smooth transition.

With the release of Laravel 12, developers can look forward to an enhanced development experience, streamlined deployments with Laravel Cloud, and a suite of new tools to accelerate their workflow.