New Laravel 12 Update and New Features

Laravel has been the preferred PHP framework for developers. Each time Laravel is updated, it improves security, smooths its features, and speeds up the development process. The Laravel 12 update has been released and is ready to use for now. When it comes out on February 24, 2025, it will have many optimizations, new tools, and improvements meant to make developers more productive while keeping the framework's signature simplicity.

The main goals of this release, Laravel 12, are to improve security, performance, and the developer experience. This makes it easier to create potent web apps with little work. The latest version of Laravel (12) has a new application structure, better authentication methods, and more advanced API features, such as support for GraphQL.

Laravel continues to be the preferred framework for PHP developers worldwide. It offers an AI-powered debugging assistant, improved query builders, and support for WebSockets.

Laravel 12 introduces many new features and improvements designed to make development more seamless and efficient. From better application structure to enhanced debugging tools, here are the key updates in Laravel 12.

Setting up a Laravel project has never been easier! The Laravel 12 Starter Kit is designed to streamline authentication and front-end integration, making getting started with Vue, React, or Livewire effortless.

This new release leverages Tailwind CSS to provide a sleek, modern UI right out of the box. It also simplifies authentication with built-in API routes and UI scaffolding that work seamlessly with your chosen front-end framework. The Laravel 12 Starter Kit saves time, improves project organization, and helps developers jump straight into the building by eliminating the need for complex manual setups.

Whether creating a single-page application (SPA), a dynamic Livewire project, or a hybrid app, Laravel 12's starter kit gives you the tools to launch quickly and efficiently.

WorkOS AuthKit is an advanced authentication system that is used to make authentication easier:

• Social Authentication: Sign in with Google, Facebook, and more.
• Passkeys: Secure, passwordless login.
• Single Sign-On (SSO): Enterprise-grade authentication.
• Free for up to 1M users: No cost for small-scale applications.

With all these features, developers can easily integrate authenticators into developing applications.

Laravel 12 makes organizing and managing projects easier with a more structured directory setup. Configuration files are now more straightforward and intuitive, so setting up a project takes less time and effort.

This means new developers can get up to speed faster since the project layout is easier to understand. The improved structure also helps keep code neat and maintainable, making long-term development smoother.

Whether you're working on a small project or a large-scale application, Laravel 12 Update keeps things organized, efficient, and easy to manage.

The new method makes writing complex queries easier, allowing for cleaner, more readable, and optimized query structures.

New Laravel 12 now comes with built-in GraphQL support. In-built GraphQL makes API integration simple for developers. Instead of over-fetching data, developers can request just what they need, improving performance and reducing unnecessary API calls.

It helps keep routes organized and makes managing multiple API versions much easier. This means smoother updates and better long-term scalability for your projects.

Laravel 12 introduces an AI-powered debugging assistant that helps developers fix issues faster. This innovative tool provides suggestions, making troubleshooting quicker and more efficient.

Cutting down debugging time allows developers to focus more on adding features than fixing errors. Laravel 12's AI assistant makes debugging easier for new and seasoned developers.

Laravel 12 designers aimed for speed and efficiency. It features faster caching, optimized database queries, and better memory management. These upgrades ensure your applications stay smooth and responsive, even under heavy traffic.

No matter if your project is small or large, Laravel 12 boosts performance. It cuts load times, improves responsiveness, and helps your app scale as it expands.

Laravel 12 makes development even easier with smarter CLI interactions and new Artisan commands. Expect better prompts and auto-suggestions, as well as improved debugging tools. These changes will make command-line tasks quicker and easier to understand.

These updates smooth workflows, reduce errors, and increase productivity, making Laravel’s command-line interface even stronger.

Laravel 12 is a must-have upgrade for developers. It offers better performance, enhanced security, and improved modern API development.

Upgrading Laravel is as simple as changing your work in Laravel 11 from 10.

Preparation Steps

Before upgrading to Laravel 12, follow these steps to ensure a smooth transition:

• Ensure your server meets Laravel 12's PHP version and extensions requirements.
• Update PHP to the latest recommended version (Laravel 12 may require PHP 8.2 or higher).

• Backup all files, environment configurations, and databases.
• Use version control (Git) to track changes.

• Check Laravel's official documentation for breaking changes and deprecated features.
• Identify any incompatible third-party packages and check for their Laravel 12 support.

• Execute unit and feature tests to establish a baseline for expected behavior.

Upgrade Process

Update your composer.json file to require Laravel 12:

"require": {
    "laravel/framework": "^12.0"
}

Run the following command to update dependencies:

composer update

If using Laravel Installer, update it to the latest version:

composer global update laravel/installer

Verify the installed version:

laravel --version

• Check for any necessary updates in config and routes files.
• Run Laravel's built-in upgrade commands if available.
• Update any deprecated methods in your application.

Execute migrations to apply database changes:

php artisan migrate

Clear configuration and application cache:

php artisan config:clear
php artisan cache:clear

• Run automated and manual tests to validate functionality.
• Check for runtime errors and resolve any issues.

• Review logs in storage/logs/laravel.log for warnings or errors.
• Use php artisan queue:restart if needed.

Run optimization commands:

php artisan optimize
php artisan route:cache
php artisan config:cache

• Ensure all third-party packages function correctly.
• Check package documentation for Laravel 12 compatibility.

• Deploy updates to the production server.
• Monitor application performance and logs after deployment.

Following these steps ensures a smooth upgrade to Laravel 12 with minimal disruptions.

Some packages may not yet support Laravel 12, causing conflicts.

Check for updates using:

composer outdated

Manually update dependencies or find alternative packages.

If encountering issues with symfony/yaml, try reinstalling with:

composer remove symfony/yaml && composer require symfony/yaml

This error occurs when uploading large files.

• Increase post_max_size and upload_max_filesize in php.ini.
• Update Nginx or Apache settings to allow larger payloads.
• Modify Laravel's request handling to accommodate larger file sizes.

Some appreciate improved performance, while others find changes in core functionality challenging.

• Breaking changes requiring significant code refactoring.
• Need for better documentation on new features.
• More flexibility in package compatibility.

Following these steps ensures a smooth upgrade to Laravel 12 with minimal disruptions.

• Laravel 12's stability and long-term maintenance are some of the features that a lot of developers have been utterly grateful for.
• Enhancements in performance and security have been commended broadly.
• The program's adherence to the latest PHP rules is considered a constructive initial move.

• Developers are worried about Laravel 12, with its more sophisticated, core functionality-related enhancements that they must familiarize themselves with.
• Conversations have showcased that beginners face a tall order in learning new abstractions, which are not only extra elements but also newly added.
• Some community members worried about the changes that could break their legacy applications.
• Queries about the need for better documentation and migration guides are common topics of feedback discussions.

Adhering to these stages will help you upgrade to Laravel 12 without too much trouble.

The new features are more helpful for developers to make their work easier. With an overhauled application structure, better authentication, native GraphQL support, and even an AI-powered debugging assistant, Laravel 12 is still one of the best modern PHP development tools for developers.

Although some of the adjustments may initially seem difficult and necessitate retraining, the benefits of improved scalability, ease of developer work, and sustainability competence prevail.

Laravel's 12th version is a feature that can be used in existing and new projects, making it an ideal choice to enhance applications' durability and speed. Reach out to Elightwalk for Laravel Development Services. Being informed and ahead of the Laravel 12 documentation and community forums will give you the edge to make the most of the new release!

Also Read: What's New in Laravel 11?