Public disk and symbolic links in Laravel - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Public disk and symbolic links

Create storage/app/public folder

↓

Run: php artisan storage:link

↓

Creates symbolic link: public/storage -> storage/app/public

↓

Access files via URL: /storage/filename

↓

Browser serves files from linked folder

This flow shows how Laravel creates a symbolic link from the public folder to storage/app/public, enabling public access to storage files.

Execution Sample

Laravel

php artisan storage:link
// Creates symbolic link
// public/storage -> storage/app/public
// Allows public access to storage files

This command creates a symbolic link so files in storage/app/public are accessible via the public/storage URL.

Execution Table

Step	Action	Result	Effect
1	Ensure storage/app/public exists (create manually if needed)	Folder exists	Folder ready for public files
2	Run 'php artisan storage:link'	Creates symbolic link	public/storage points to storage/app/public
3	Verify symbolic link	Link exists	Files in storage/app/public accessible via /storage
4	Access file via URL /storage/example.jpg	File served from storage/app/public/example.jpg	Public can view/download file
5	Delete symbolic link	Link removed	Files no longer accessible via /storage

💡 Process ends after symbolic link is created and verified for public access

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 2	After Step 3	Final
storage/app/public folder	May not exist	May not exist	Exists	Exists
public/storage link	Does not exist	Created	Exists	Exists
File access via /storage	Fails	Fails	Succeeds	Succeeds

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why do we need to run 'php artisan storage:link'?

Because Laravel does not create the symbolic link automatically. Running this command creates the link so files in storage/app/public can be accessed publicly via the web.

What happens if the symbolic link is missing?

Accessing files via /storage URL will fail because the public/storage folder does not point to storage/app/public. See execution_table step 5.

Can we store files outside storage/app/public and access them publicly?

No, only files inside storage/app/public are linked to public/storage. Files outside this folder are not accessible via the symbolic link.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the state of 'public/storage' link after step 2?

A It does not exist yet

B It is deleted

C It is created and points to storage/app/public

D It points to a wrong folder

💡 Hint

Check the 'Result' column in execution_table row for step 2

At which step does accessing files via /storage URL become successful?

A Step 3

B Step 1

C Step 5

D Never

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Effect' column in execution_table rows for steps 2 and 3

If the storage/app/public folder does not exist before running the command, what happens?

A The command fails immediately

B The link points to a non-existing folder

C The folder is created and then the link is made

D The link is created but files are inaccessible

💡 Hint

The storage:link command creates the link but does not create the target folder. See step 1.

Concept Snapshot

Laravel stores public files in storage/app/public.
Run 'php artisan storage:link' to create a symbolic link.
This link is public/storage pointing to storage/app/public.
Files inside storage/app/public become accessible via /storage URL.
Without the link, public access fails.
Keep storage/app/public for public files only.

Full Transcript

In Laravel, files meant for public access are stored in the storage/app/public folder. However, this folder is not directly accessible from the web. To make these files accessible, Laravel uses a symbolic link. Running the command 'php artisan storage:link' creates a symbolic link named public/storage that points to storage/app/public. This means when a user accesses a URL starting with /storage, the server serves files from storage/app/public. The process involves ensuring the storage/app/public folder exists (creating it manually if necessary), running the command to create the link, verifying the link exists, and then accessing files through the public URL. If the symbolic link is missing or deleted, public access to these files will fail. This setup keeps public files organized and accessible securely.