Laravel project structure

Introduction

Laravel project structure organizes your code and files clearly. It helps you find and manage parts of your app easily.

When starting a new Laravel web application.

When you want to add features like user login or database access.

When you need to keep your code clean and easy to maintain.

When working with a team to build a Laravel app.

When debugging or improving your Laravel project.

Syntax

Laravel

laravel_project/
├── app/
├── bootstrap/
├── config/
├── database/
├── public/
├── resources/
├── routes/
├── storage/
├── tests/
├── vendor/
├── artisan
├── composer.json
├── .env

app/ holds your main code like controllers and models.

public/ is the web root where index.php lives and assets are served.

Examples

This shows the app/ folder with main code parts: controllers handle requests, models work with data, and providers set up services.

Laravel

app/
  ├── Http/
  │    ├── Controllers/
  │    └── Middleware/
  ├── Models/
  └── Providers/

The routes/ folder contains files where you define URLs your app responds to, like web pages or API calls.

Laravel

routes/
  ├── web.php
  ├── api.php
  └── console.php

resources/ holds templates for pages (views/), language files, and styles.

Laravel

resources/
  ├── views/
  ├── lang/
  └── css/

Sample Program

This simple route in routes/web.php shows how Laravel uses the project structure. It listens for the home page URL and returns a welcome view from resources/views/welcome.blade.php.

Laravel

<?php
// File: routes/web.php

use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Route;

Route::get('/', function () {
    return view('welcome');
});

Important Notes

Keep your code inside app/ to follow Laravel's best practices.

Use public/ for files that browsers need to access directly, like images and scripts.

Configuration files in config/ let you change settings without touching code.

Summary

Laravel project structure organizes files into clear folders for code, views, routes, and configs.

This structure helps you build, maintain, and scale your app easily.

Understanding the folders lets you find and change parts of your app quickly.