LaravelHow-ToBeginner · 4 min read

How to Use Seeder in Laravel: Simple Guide with Examples

In Laravel, use php artisan make:seeder to create a seeder class, then define data insertion logic inside its run() method. Run php artisan db:seed to execute seeders and populate your database with sample data.

📐

Syntax

To create a seeder, run php artisan make:seeder SeederName. This creates a class in database/seeders. Inside the seeder class, use the run() method to add data to your database using Laravel's query builder or Eloquent models. Finally, run php artisan db:seed to execute all seeders or specify one with --class=SeederName.

bash

php artisan make:seeder SeederName

// Seeder class example
namespace Database\Seeders;

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

class SeederName extends Seeder
{
    public function run()
    {
        DB::table('table_name')->insert([
            'column1' => 'value1',
            'column2' => 'value2',
        ]);
    }
}

// Run all seeders
php artisan db:seed

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

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Example

This example creates a seeder that inserts three users into the users table using Laravel's Eloquent model. It demonstrates how to generate the seeder, write the run() method, and run the seeder to add data.

php

<?php

namespace Database\Seeders;

use Illuminate\Database\Seeder;
use App\Models\User;

class UserSeeder extends Seeder
{
    public function run()
    {
        User::insert([
            ['name' => 'Alice', 'email' => 'alice@example.com', 'password' => bcrypt('password')],
            ['name' => 'Bob', 'email' => 'bob@example.com', 'password' => bcrypt('password')],
            ['name' => 'Charlie', 'email' => 'charlie@example.com', 'password' => bcrypt('password')],
        ]);
    }
}

// Run this seeder with:
// php artisan db:seed --class=UserSeeder

Output

3 new users added to the users table

⚠️

Common Pitfalls

Forgetting to register the seeder in DatabaseSeeder.php if you want it to run with php artisan db:seed alone.
Not hashing passwords when inserting user data, which causes login failures.
Running seeders without migrating the database first, leading to errors.
Using insert() without timestamps if your table requires them, causing errors.

php

<?php
// Wrong: Plain password stored
User::insert([
    ['name' => 'Dave', 'email' => 'dave@example.com', 'password' => 'secret'],
]);

// Right: Password hashed
User::insert([
    ['name' => 'Dave', 'email' => 'dave@example.com', 'password' => bcrypt('secret')],
]);

📊

Quick Reference

Command	Description
php artisan make:seeder SeederName	Create a new seeder class
php artisan db:seed	Run all registered seeders
php artisan db:seed --class=SeederName	Run a specific seeder
php artisan migrate:fresh --seed	Reset database and run all seeders
bcrypt('password')	Hash passwords before inserting

✅

Key Takeaways

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

Always hash passwords before inserting user data in seeders.

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

Run migrations before seeding to avoid database errors.