Tinker

Overview: The Context Gap in AI Development Standard AI models often stumble when working with Laravel because they lack two critical components: up-to-date documentation and framework-specific context. Generic agents rely on static training data, which means they are unaware of the latest features like request batching in Laravel 12. Laravel Boost bridges this gap by providing Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers and tailored guidelines directly to your AI agent, transforming it from a general coder into a framework expert. Prerequisites To follow this guide, you should be comfortable with the Artisan CLI and have a basic understanding of Composer package management. You will also need an AI-capable code editor such as Cursor or Claude Code. Key Libraries & Tools - **Laravel Boost**: The core package that provides tools and context to AI agents. - **Claude Code**: A command-line AI agent from Anthropic that integrates with MCP servers. - **Pest**: A testing framework for PHP included in the automated guidelines. - **Tailwind CSS**: A utility-first CSS framework supported by Boost's styling guidelines. Installation and Configuration After adding the package via Composer, you initialize the environment using a specialized Artisan command. This process generates specific guidelines by scanning your `composer.json` to see exactly which versions of tools like PHP or Alpine.js you are using. ```bash php artisan boost:install ``` During setup, you select your preferred editor and agent. Boost then injects best practices into your workspace, ensuring the AI adheres to the latest community standards and version-specific syntax. The Power of MCP Tools Once connected to the Model Context Protocol server, your agent gains "superpowers" through specialized tools: - **Search Docs**: Allows the AI to query the live Laravel documentation for brand-new features. - **Database Query**: Enables the agent to check record counts or table structures directly. - **Tinker**: Lets the AI run Laravel Tinker commands to test logic without creating temporary files. - **Browser Logs**: Helps the agent read error logs to debug issues autonomously. Syntax Notes & Best Practices Boost focuses on **version-aware syntax**. If your project uses Laravel 12, the AI will prioritize new hooks and features over deprecated Laravel 11 patterns. It also enforces strict testing standards for Pest, ensuring your generated tests are modern and readable. Tips & Gotchas Always ensure your MCP server is actually connected in your editor settings. If the AI claims it doesn't know about a feature, check if the `search_docs` tool is active. Using the **Tinker tool** is significantly safer than letting an AI create random PHP scripts, as it prevents leftover "junk" files from cluttering your production-ready codebase.