Laravel Forge is a server management and application deployment platform designed to simplify the process of deploying PHP applications, particularly those built with the Laravel framework. It was launched in 2014 by Taylor Otwell, the creator of Laravel, to streamline server provisioning and deployment. Forge removes the complexities of manual server configuration by automating tasks such as software installation, security setup, and deployment management. It supports various server providers, including DigitalOcean, AWS, and Linode, and can provision different server types like web, database, and load balancing servers.
Recent updates include Laravel VPS, providing near-instant server provisioning, and zero-downtime deployments as a default for new sites. James Brooks is the Engineering Team Lead for Laravel's core services, including Forge. The platform offers features like an integrated terminal with SSH collaboration, health checks, real-time metrics, and a command palette for easier navigation. Laravel Forge aims to give developers control and ease of use, and the newest generation of Laravel Forge includes organization support and zero-downtime deployments. It competes with services like Laravel Cloud and Envoyer, offering a balance between control, flexibility, and ease of use.
