Laravel Cloud

Overview of Managed Laravel Hosting Deploying a modern PHP application often requires juggling servers, SSL certificates, and database configurations. Laravel Cloud simplifies this by providing a serverless-style environment designed specifically for the Laravel ecosystem. By leveraging this platform, you can move from a local repository to a live URL in minutes, using a generous $5 free credit to explore high-performance infrastructure without upfront costs. Prerequisites To follow this guide, you should have a basic understanding of PHP and the Laravel framework. You will need a GitHub account to host your source code and a valid email address for signing up. No credit card is required to access the initial credits. Key Libraries & Tools * **Laravel Cloud**: The primary deployment platform for managed hosting. * **GitHub**: Used for version control and repository syncing. * **Livewire**: A full-stack framework for Laravel used in the starter kit to build dynamic interfaces. * **Valkey**: An open-source high-performance data store used for caching. * **PostgreSQL / MySQL**: Relational database options provided as managed resources. Deployment Walkthrough Setting up your environment involves connecting your source control and configuring your cluster. Repository Connection After signing up, connect your GitHub account. You can choose an existing project or use a starter kit like the Livewire template. Selecting a region close to your users minimizes latency. Resource Configuration Laravel Cloud automatically provisions an app cluster. For a cost-effective setup, choose the **Flex One CPU** tier. This tier is eligible for the free credit and supports **hibernation**. ```yaml Conceptual configuration for a Flex cluster cluster: type: flex-one-cpu hibernation: true idle_timeout: 15m ``` When your application receives no traffic, it enters a sleep state. This pauses billing, allowing your $5 credit to last significantly longer than a traditional always-on VPS. Syntax Notes: Domain Customization While custom domains require a paid plan, you can modify your free subdomain. The platform uses a `.l.cloud` suffix. ```text Change from default-id.l.cloud to: my-awesome-app.l.cloud ``` Practical Examples This workflow is ideal for shipping **MVP (Minimum Viable Products)** or side projects. You can attach a PostgreSQL database for persistence and a Valkey cache for session management, creating a full-stack environment that scales automatically as your traffic grows. Tips & Gotchas * **Enable Hibernation**: Always verify that hibernation is active in your app cluster settings to preserve your credits. * **Monitor Credit Usage**: Check the badge in the top right of the dashboard to see your remaining balance. * **Database Selection**: Use PostgreSQL for modern features or MySQL for traditional compatibility; both work seamlessly with the platform's auto-configuration.