spatie-laravel-php

---
name: spatie-laravel-php
description: Apply Spatie's Laravel and PHP coding standards for any task that creates, edits, reviews, refactors, or formats Laravel/PHP code or Blade templates; use for controllers, Eloquent models, routes, config, validation, migrations, tests, and related files to align with Laravel conventions and PSR-12.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: Spatie
---

# Spatie Laravel & PHP Guidelines

## Overview
Apply Spatie's Laravel and PHP guidelines to keep code style consistent and Laravel-native.

## When to Activate
- Activate this skill for any Laravel or PHP coding work, even if the user does not explicitly mention Spatie.
- Activate this skill when asked to generate, edit, format, refactor, review, or align Laravel/PHP code.
- Activate this skill when working on `.php` or `.blade.php` files, routes, controllers, models, config, validation, migrations, or tests.

## Scope
- In scope: `.php`, `.blade.php`, Laravel conventions (routes, controllers, config, validation, migrations, tests).
- Out of scope: JS/TS, CSS, infrastructure, database schema design, non-Laravel frameworks.

## Workflow
1. Identify the artifact (controller, route, config, model, Blade, test, etc.).
2. Read `references/spatie-laravel-php-guidelines.md` and focus on the relevant sections.
3. Apply the core Laravel principle first, then PHP standards, then section-specific rules.
4. If a rule conflicts with existing project conventions, follow Laravel conventions and keep changes consistent.

## Core Rules (Summary)
- Follow Laravel conventions first.
- Follow PSR-1, PSR-2, and PSR-12.
- Prefer typed properties and explicit return types (including `void`).
- Use short nullable syntax like `?string`.
- Use constructor property promotion when all properties can be promoted.
- One trait per line with separate `use` statements.
- Once a method chain breaks across lines, put every subsequent `->` on a new line; never mix single-line and multi-line chaining.
- Prefer early returns and avoid `else` when possible.
- Always use curly braces for control structures.
- Use string interpolation over concatenation.
- Happy path last: handle error conditions first.

## Do and Don't
Do:
- Use kebab-case URLs, camelCase route names, and camelCase route parameters.
- Use tuple notation for routes: `[Controller::class, 'method']`.
- Use plural resource names for controllers (`PostsController`).
- Use array notation for validation rules.
- Use `config()` helper and avoid `env()` outside config files.
- Add service configs to `config/services.php`, not new files.
- Use `__()` for translations instead of `@lang`.
- Use PascalCase for enum values and class constants.

Don't:
- Add docblocks when full type hints already exist.
- Use fully qualified classnames in docblocks.
- Use `final` or `readonly` by default.
- Use `else` when early returns work.
- Add spaces after Blade control structures.

## Examples
```php
// Happy path last with early returns
if (! $user) {
    return null;
}

if (! $user->isActive()) {
    return null;
}

// Process active user...

// Short ternary
$name = $isFoo ? 'foo' : 'bar';

// Constructor property promotion
class MyClass {
    public function __construct(
        protected string $firstArgument,
        protected string $secondArgument,
    ) {}
}
```

```blade
@if($condition)
    Something
@endif
```

## References
- `references/spatie-laravel-php-guidelines.md`