LaravelHow-ToBeginner · 3 min read

How to Seed Database in Laravel: Simple Guide with Examples

In Laravel, you seed the database by creating seed classes with php artisan make:seed and defining data insertion logic inside them. Then run php artisan db:seed to execute these seeders and populate your database with test or initial data.

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Syntax

Laravel uses seed classes to insert data into the database. You create a seeder class with php artisan make:seed SeederName. Inside the run() method, you write code to add data. Finally, you run php artisan db:seed to execute all seeders or specify one with --class=SeederName.

php artisan make:seed SeederName: Creates a new seeder class.
run() method: Contains the data insertion logic.
php artisan db:seed: Runs all seeders registered in DatabaseSeeder.
--class=SeederName: Runs a specific seeder.

bash/php

php artisan make:seed UsersTableSeeder

// In database/seeders/UsersTableSeeder.php
public function run()
{
    DB::table('users')->insert([
        'name' => 'John Doe',
        'email' => 'john@example.com',
        'password' => bcrypt('password'),
    ]);
}

// Run all seeders
php artisan db:seed

// Run specific seeder
php artisan db:seed --class=UsersTableSeeder

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Example

This example shows how to create a seeder to add a user to the users table and run it.

php

<?php

namespace Database\Seeders;

use Illuminate\Database\Seeder;
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Hash;

class UsersTableSeeder extends Seeder
{
    public function run()
    {
        DB::table('users')->insert([
            'name' => 'Alice Smith',
            'email' => 'alice@example.com',
            'password' => Hash::make('secret123'),
        ]);
    }
}

// Then run:
// php artisan db:seed --class=UsersTableSeeder

Output

Database seeded: 1 user added to users table

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Common Pitfalls

Not registering your seeder in DatabaseSeeder.php if you want it to run with php artisan db:seed.
Forgetting to hash passwords before inserting.
Running seeders without migrating the database first.
Using DB::table()->insert() without clearing existing data if duplicates are a concern.

php

<?php
// Wrong: Password stored as plain text
DB::table('users')->insert([
    'name' => 'Bob',
    'email' => 'bob@example.com',
    'password' => 'password123', // Not hashed
]);

// Right: Password hashed
DB::table('users')->insert([
    'name' => 'Bob',
    'email' => 'bob@example.com',
    'password' => Hash::make('password123'),
]);

📊

Quick Reference

Command	Description
php artisan make:seed SeederName	Create a new seeder class
php artisan db:seed	Run all seeders registered in DatabaseSeeder
php artisan db:seed --class=SeederName	Run a specific seeder
DB::table('table')->insert([...])	Insert data inside seeder's run() method
Hash::make('password')	Hash passwords before inserting

✅

Key Takeaways

Create seeders with php artisan make:seed and define data in the run() method.

Run seeders using php artisan db:seed or specify a seeder with --class option.

Always hash passwords before inserting user data.

Run migrations before seeding to ensure tables exist.