Laravel Docker Development Template

A comprehensive Laravel development environment with Docker for local development and deployment configurations for Ubuntu 24.04 with Nginx Proxy Manager or Apache.

New here? Start with GETTING_STARTED.md for a step-by-step setup guide.

AI Assistant? See AI_CONTEXT.md for project context and conventions.

Architecture Overview

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                     DEVELOPMENT (Docker)                        │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ┌─────────┐  ┌─────────┐  ┌───────────────┐  ┌─────┐  ┌─────┐ │
│  │  Nginx  │──│   PHP   │──│ MySQL/PgSQL/  │  │Redis│  │Mail │ │
│  │  :8080  │  │   FPM   │  │    SQLite     │  │:6379│  │:8025│ │
│  └─────────┘  └─────────┘  └───────────────┘  └─────┘  └─────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│              PRODUCTION (Ubuntu 24.04 - No Docker)              │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Option A: Nginx Proxy Manager                                  │
│  ┌───────────────┐    ┌─────────┐    ┌─────────┐               │
│  │ NPM (SSL/443) │───▶│  Nginx  │───▶│ PHP-FPM │───▶ Laravel   │
│  └───────────────┘    └─────────┘    └─────────┘               │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Option B: Apache Virtual Host                                  │
│  ┌─────────────────┐    ┌─────────┐                            │
│  │ Apache + SSL    │───▶│ PHP-FPM │───▶ Laravel                │
│  │ (Certbot)       │    └─────────┘                            │
│  └─────────────────┘                                           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Project Structure

├── docker/
│   ├── nginx/default.conf      # Dev Nginx config
│   ├── php/
│   │   ├── Dockerfile          # PHP-FPM image
│   │   └── local.ini           # PHP dev settings
│   └── mysql/my.cnf            # MySQL config
├── deploy/
│   ├── nginx/
│   │   ├── laravel-site.conf   # Production Nginx config
│   │   └── nginx-proxy-manager-notes.md
│   ├── apache/
│   │   ├── laravel-site.conf   # Apache virtual host
│   │   └── apache-setup.md
│   ├── production/
│   │   ├── .env.mysql.production   # MySQL env template
│   │   ├── .env.pgsql.production   # PostgreSQL env template
│   │   └── .env.sqlite.production  # SQLite env template
│   └── scripts/
│       ├── server-setup.sh         # Ubuntu server setup (DB selection)
│       ├── deploy.sh               # Deployment script
│       ├── fix-permissions.sh      # Permission fixer
│       ├── supervisor-worker.conf  # Queue worker config
│       ├── supervisor-scheduler.conf # Scheduler config
│       └── laravel-scheduler.cron  # Cron job template
├── src/
│   ├── .env.mysql              # MySQL dev config
│   ├── .env.pgsql              # PostgreSQL dev config
│   ├── .env.sqlite             # SQLite dev config
│   └── pint.json               # Code style config
├── scripts/
│   ├── post-install.sh         # Flare/Telescope/Pint setup
│   └── laravel-setup.sh        # Auth/API/Middleware setup
├── docs/
│   ├── error-logging.md        # Error logging docs
│   ├── laravel-setup.md        # Laravel setup guide
│   ├── filament-admin.md       # Admin panel docs
│   ├── modules.md              # Modular architecture guide
│   ├── audit-trail.md          # Audit trail docs
│   ├── site-settings.md        # Appearance settings
│   ├── testing.md              # Pest testing guide
│   ├── queues.md               # Background jobs
│   ├── ci-cd.md                # GitHub Actions pipeline
│   └── backup.md               # Database backup/restore
├── docker-compose.yml          # Multi-DB profiles
├── Makefile
├── README.md
├── GETTING_STARTED.md          # Step-by-step setup guide
└── AI_CONTEXT.md               # Context for AI assistants

Database Options

This template supports three database engines via Docker Compose profiles:

Database	Profile	Port	Use Case
MySQL 8.0	mysql	3306	Production-grade, most Laravel tutorials
PostgreSQL 16	pgsql	5432	Advanced features, JSON, full-text search
SQLite	sqlite	-	Lightweight, no server, great for testing

Quick Start (Development)

Prerequisites

• Docker & Docker Compose

One-Command Setup

# Clone the repository
git clone <repo-url> my-laravel-app
cd my-laravel-app

# Run setup script (MySQL is default)
./setup.sh          # Linux/Mac
setup.bat           # Windows

# Or specify database:
./setup.sh mysql    # MySQL (default)
./setup.sh pgsql    # PostgreSQL
./setup.sh sqlite   # SQLite

That's it! The script will:

• ✅ Configure environment for your database
• ✅ Install composer dependencies
• ✅ Build and start Docker containers
• ✅ Run migrations
• ✅ Create admin user (admin@example.com / password)

Everything is pre-installed:

• ✅ Laravel 11 with Breeze authentication
• ✅ Filament admin panel with user management
• ✅ Pest testing framework
• ✅ Laravel Pint code style
• ✅ Queue workers & scheduler (optional)

Access your app:

• Laravel App: http://localhost:8080
• Admin Panel: http://localhost:8080/admin
• Mailpit: http://localhost:8025

Admin Login:

• Email: admin@example.com
• Password: password

Manual Setup (Alternative)

If you prefer manual control:

1. Clone and configure

   git clone <repo-url> my-laravel-app
   cd my-laravel-app
   

2. Build containers

   docker-compose build
   

3. Install Laravel

   docker-compose --profile mysql run --rm app composer create-project laravel/laravel:^11.0 /tmp/new
   docker-compose --profile mysql run --rm app sh -c "cp -r /tmp/new/. /var/www/html/ && rm -rf /tmp/new"
   

4. Configure environment

   cp src/.env.mysql src/.env  # For MySQL
   # OR
   cp src/.env.pgsql src/.env  # For PostgreSQL
   # OR
   cp src/.env.sqlite src/.env # For SQLite
   

5. Start containers

   docker-compose --profile mysql up -d
   

6. Run migrations

   docker-compose exec app php artisan migrate --force
   

7. Run setup scripts (optional)

   docker-compose exec app bash scripts/laravel-setup.sh
   

Common Commands

Command	Description
make up DB=mysql	Start with MySQL
make up DB=pgsql	Start with PostgreSQL
make up DB=sqlite	Start with SQLite
make down	Stop all containers
make shell	Shell into app container
make artisan cmd='migrate'	Run Artisan commands
make composer cmd='require package'	Run Composer
make logs	View logs
make fresh	Fresh migrate + seed
make lint	Fix code style (Pint)
make lint-check	Check code style
make test	Run tests
make setup-tools	Install Flare, Pint, error pages
make setup-laravel	Configure auth, API, middleware
make setup-all	Run both setup scripts

Laravel Setup (Auth, API, Middleware)

After installing Laravel, run the interactive setup:

make setup-laravel

This configures:

Feature	Options
Authentication	Breeze (Blade/Livewire/API) or Jetstream + Livewire
Admin Panel	Filament with user management
Site Settings	Logo, favicon, color scheme management
Modules	Modular architecture with make:module command
Audit Trail	Track all data changes with user, old/new values
Testing	Pest framework with module test generation
Queues	Redis-powered background jobs
CI/CD	GitHub Actions for tests + deploy
Backup	Database backup/restore scripts
API	Sanctum token authentication
Middleware	ForceHttps, SecurityHeaders
Storage	Public storage symlink

Note: This template focuses on Blade and Livewire (no Vue/React/Inertia). Server-side rendering keeps debugging simple.

Admin Panel (Filament)

The setup includes optional Filament admin panel:

• User management - List, create, edit, delete users
• Dashboard - Stats widgets, charts
• Extensible - Add resources for any model

Access at: http://localhost:8080/admin

See docs/filament-admin.md for customization.

Site Settings (Appearance)

Manage logo, favicon, and colors from admin panel:

/admin → Settings → Appearance

Use in Blade templates:

{{-- In your <head> --}}
<x-site-head :title="$title" />

{{-- Logo --}}
<img src="{{ site_logo() }}" alt="{{ site_name() }}">

{{-- Colors available as CSS variables --}}
<div class="bg-primary">Uses --primary-color</div>

See docs/site-settings.md for configuration.

Modular Architecture

Build features as self-contained modules:

# Create a module with model and admin panel
php artisan make:module StockManagement --model=Product

# Creates:
# - app/Modules/StockManagement/
# - Routes, controllers, views
# - Filament admin resources
# - Permissions for role-based access

Each module gets:

• Landing page at /{module-slug}
• Admin section in Filament panel
• Permissions auto-registered with roles

See docs/modules.md for full documentation.

Audit Trail

Every module includes an Audit Log page showing all data changes:

• Who changed what
• Old → New values
• When and from which IP
• Filterable by user, event type, date

Configure per module in Config/module_name.php:

'audit' => [
    'enabled' => true,
    'strategy' => 'all',  // 'all', 'include', 'exclude', 'none'
],

See docs/audit-trail.md for configuration options.

See docs/laravel-setup.md for detailed configuration.

Production Deployment

Ubuntu 24.04 Server Setup

1. Run server setup script

   sudo bash deploy/scripts/server-setup.sh
   

   This installs:

   • PHP 8.3 + extensions (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite drivers)
   • Composer
   • Node.js 20
   • Database server (MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQLite - your choice)
   • Redis
   • Nginx or Apache (your choice)

2. Create database (based on your selection during setup)

   MySQL:

   sudo mysql_secure_installation
   sudo mysql
   CREATE DATABASE your_app;
   CREATE USER 'your_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'secure_password';
   GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON your_app.* TO 'your_user'@'localhost';
   FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
   EXIT;
   

   PostgreSQL:

   sudo -u postgres psql
   CREATE DATABASE your_app;
   CREATE USER your_user WITH ENCRYPTED PASSWORD 'secure_password';
   GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON DATABASE your_app TO your_user;
   \q
   

   SQLite:

   touch /var/www/your-app/database/database.sqlite
   chmod 664 /var/www/your-app/database/database.sqlite
   chown www-data:www-data /var/www/your-app/database/database.sqlite
   

Option A: Nginx + Nginx Proxy Manager

1. Deploy your app

   cd /var/www
   git clone <repo-url> your-app
   cd your-app/src
   composer install --no-dev --optimize-autoloader
   
   # Copy the appropriate .env file for your database:
   cp ../deploy/production/.env.mysql.production .env   # For MySQL
   cp ../deploy/production/.env.pgsql.production .env   # For PostgreSQL
   cp ../deploy/production/.env.sqlite.production .env  # For SQLite
   
   # Edit .env with your settings
   php artisan key:generate
   php artisan migrate
   npm ci && npm run build
   

2. Configure Nginx

   sudo cp deploy/nginx/laravel-site.conf /etc/nginx/sites-available/your-app
   # Edit: server_name, root, log paths
   sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/your-app /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
   sudo nginx -t
   sudo systemctl reload nginx
   

3. Configure NPM

   • See deploy/nginx/nginx-proxy-manager-notes.md for NPM setup

4. Fix permissions

   sudo bash deploy/scripts/fix-permissions.sh /var/www/your-app/src
   

Option B: Apache Virtual Host

1. Deploy your app (same as above)

2. Configure Apache

   sudo cp deploy/apache/laravel-site.conf /etc/apache2/sites-available/your-app.conf
   # Edit: ServerName, DocumentRoot, paths
   sudo a2ensite your-app.conf
   sudo apache2ctl configtest
   sudo systemctl reload apache2
   

3. SSL with Certbot

   sudo certbot --apache -d your-domain.com
   

See deploy/apache/apache-setup.md for detailed instructions.

Automated Deployments

Use the deployment script for updates:

sudo bash deploy/scripts/deploy.sh /var/www/your-app/src main

Queue Workers (Optional)

If using queues:

sudo cp deploy/scripts/supervisor-worker.conf /etc/supervisor/conf.d/laravel-worker.conf
# Edit paths in the config
sudo supervisorctl reread
sudo supervisorctl update
sudo supervisorctl start laravel-worker:*

Services

Development

Service	Port	Description
Nginx	8080	Web server
MySQL	3306	Database
Redis	6379	Cache/Queue
Mailpit	8025	Email testing UI
Mailpit SMTP	1025	SMTP server

Connecting to MySQL from host

mysql -h 127.0.0.1 -P 3306 -u laravel -p
# Password: secret (from .env)

Error Logging

This template uses Flare + Ignition by Spatie for error tracking.

Environment	Tool	What You Get
Development	Ignition	Rich error pages, AI explanations, click-to-open in VS Code
Production	Flare	Remote error tracking, clean user-facing error pages

Setup

After installing Laravel, run the post-install script:

make setup-tools

This installs:

• Flare for production error tracking
• Custom error pages (404, 500, 503)
• Optional: Laravel Telescope for debugging

Get your Flare API key at flareapp.io and add to .env:

FLARE_KEY=your_key_here

See docs/error-logging.md for full documentation.

Code Style (Laravel Pint)

This template includes Laravel Pint for code style enforcement.

# Fix code style
make lint

# Check without fixing
make lint-check

Configuration: src/pint.json (uses Laravel preset with sensible defaults).

Scheduler (Production)

Laravel's task scheduler needs to run every minute. Two options:

Option 1: Cron (Recommended)

# Add to crontab
sudo crontab -e -u www-data

# Add this line:
* * * * * cd /var/www/your-app && php artisan schedule:run >> /dev/null 2>&1

Option 2: Supervisor

sudo cp deploy/scripts/supervisor-scheduler.conf /etc/supervisor/conf.d/
# Edit paths in the config
sudo supervisorctl reread && sudo supervisorctl update

Customization

Changing PHP Version

Edit docker/php/Dockerfile:

FROM php:8.2-fpm  # Change version here

Then rebuild: docker-compose build app

Adding PHP Extensions

Edit docker/php/Dockerfile and add to the install list, then rebuild.

Using PostgreSQL

1. Uncomment PostgreSQL in docker-compose.yml
2. Update src/.env:

   DB_CONNECTION=pgsql
   DB_HOST=pgsql
   

Troubleshooting

Permission Issues

# Development
docker-compose exec app chmod -R 775 storage bootstrap/cache

# Production
sudo bash deploy/scripts/fix-permissions.sh /var/www/your-app/src

Container won't start

docker-compose logs app  # Check for errors
docker-compose down -v   # Reset volumes
docker-compose up -d

Database connection refused

• Ensure MySQL container is running: docker-compose ps
• Check DB_HOST=mysql in src/.env (not localhost)

License

MIT