Upgrading to Laravel 12: A Guide to Its New Features and Improvements

Laravel: Why It's Your Website's MVP

You may be asking yourself, “What is Laravel, exactly?” Think of it as an open-source PHP framework that’s like a superhero toolkit to create websites. It’s your secret weapon—less work, better results. Laravel has been a go-to tool for many years, and version 12 is the do-over we never knew we needed.

New Features & Improvements in Laravel 12

1. New Starter Kits

Laravel 12 introduces new starter kits for React, Vue, and Livewire that are rocket fuel for your projects. These installations are pre-configured with all the essentials—sign-ins, sign-ups, and essentials—so your coding life is a whole lot easier.

• React Starter Kit: Inertia, React 19, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and shadcn tools power this kit, and it’s your express route to a cool React app.
• Vue Starter Kit: Loaded with Inertia, Vue 3, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and shadcn-vue components, it’s a speed-start fantasy for Vue enthusiasts.
• Livewire Starter Kit: Built on Livewire 3, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and Flux UI components, it’s perfect for creating dynamic server-side applications with ease.

Plucked directly from GitHub, these kits place the keys in your hands to mangle and customize the code to your heart’s content—total freedom, no fuss!

2. Improved Application Structure

Hello to a tidier setup! Laravel 12 organizes the files so that you can easily find what you are searching for. It’s akin to a recently rearranged desk—less clutter, more focus, and your projects just look better from the start.

3. Real-Time Features with WebSockets

Get your site humming! Laravel 12 powers real-time action with enhanced WebSockets support. Your creativity is the only limit when considering live chat, instant refreshes, or game-like interaction—users will be too stunned to recall it!

4. Query Builder Improvements

Database magic just got more precise with Laravel 12! The newly added nestedWhere() functionality converts messy, complicated queries into tidy, snappy lines. It’s a big step forward for dealing with stacked conditions without the headache.

Old School (Laravel 11):

$users = DB::table('users')  
 ->where('active', 1)  
 ->where(function ($query) {  
  $query->where('age', '>', 18)  
        ->orWhere('points', '>=', 50);  
})->get();

Looks like a puzzle, huh?
New Laravel 12:

$users = DB::table('users')  
    ->where('active', 1)  
    ->nestedWhere('age', '>', 18, 'or', 'points', '>=', 50)  
    ->get();

Slick, quick, and to the point! This tidies up the mess, hurries along, and rocks for big data or spiffy filters.

5. Authentication Updates & Security Features

Laravel 12 keeps it in check with more robust security and silky-smooth sign-ins. It’s all about keeping your site secure while making user access as seamless as possible—tighter token management, smoother sessions, and spiced-up OAuth choices come to mind.

A gem? The shiny secureValidate() function—it’s your new bouncer for tighter passwords and bulletproof forms.

Before (Laravel 11):

$request->validate(['passcode' => 'required | min:6']);

After (Laravel 12):

$request->secureValidate(['passcode' => ['required', 'min:6', 'tough']]);

This brings the heat—more secure passcodes, no vulnerabilities. And API logins receive a security facelift, securing endpoints without stifling you. You’ve been warned, hackers!

6. Improved API Development with GraphQL & Versioning

Laravel 12 makes API creation a power move with integrated GraphQL and a sleek new versioning system. Adios to clunky data pulls—GraphQL allows you to grab only what you want, leaving it light and lightning-fast. A single smart query takes the place of a stack of REST calls, making your app purr like a pro.

Versioning’s also got a new spin—routes remain organized and expand along with you, no more mess of tangles.

Old Way (Laravel 11):

Route::get('/api/v2/posts', [PostController::class, 'list']);

Clunky and manual, right?

New Way (Laravel 12):

Route::apiVersion(2)->group(function () {  
    Route::get('posts', [PostController::class, 'list']);  
});

Clean, organized, and ready to scale! That keeps your APIs sharp and manageable, perfect for big dreams and busy apps.

Laravel 12 is basically your website’s new superhero—bold, fast, and fabulous.

Conclusion

Laravel 12 is a game-changer that accelerates web development, making it faster, more secure, and efficient. With fresh starter kits, a more organized app structure, real-time WebSockets, enhanced query handling, and enhanced security, it streamlines intricate tasks and optimizes performance. The addition of GraphQL and API versioning ensures scalability for applications in the future.

No matter if you are in need of scaling your existing Laravel project or starting a new one, our expert Laravel developers are here to help. Employ a skilled Laravel developer today and make your dreams come true with the newest technology and seamless performance!