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Laravel is a framework for building web applications with PHP. It gives developers a structure and reusable tools for common tasks—such as working with databases, handling background jobs and testing—so they can focus on the application’s features. It is not a programming language or a ready-made website builder.
What Laravel does
PHP is the programming language; Laravel is a framework built for it. A framework supplies conventions and building blocks that help developers organize an application rather than starting with every piece from scratch. Laravel describes a web framework as “a structure and starting point for creating your application.” (Laravel 13.x documentation)
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In practice, Laravel provides tools for tasks that many web applications need. Its documentation highlights dependency injection, a database abstraction layer, queues, scheduled jobs, and unit and integration testing. These features help developers structure code, work with data, schedule or process work, and check that an application behaves as intended; they do not automatically create a complete product.
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Laravel can power a full web application, including its server-side logic and pages. It can also act as an API backend for a separate JavaScript single-page application or a mobile app. The right arrangement depends on how you want to build and deliver the frontend, not on a universal rule that one approach is best. (Laravel 13.x documentation)
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Choose a frontend approach
A frontend is the part of an application people interact with. Laravel supports different ways to build it, from PHP-centered tools to JavaScript frameworks. Consider how much JavaScript you want to use, whether your app needs a separate client, and whether starter scaffolding would help you get going.
| Approach | What it means | Good fit when… |
|---|---|---|
| Blade and Livewire | Use PHP-centered tools within the Laravel application to build the interface. The official starter-kit options include Livewire. (Laravel starter kits) | You want to keep much of the application work within Laravel’s PHP-oriented workflow. |
| React, Vue, or Svelte with Inertia | Build the interface with a JavaScript framework while using Laravel on the server. Current official starter-kit choices include React, Vue, and Svelte. (Laravel starter kits) | You prefer one of these JavaScript ecosystems for the frontend. |
| Laravel as an API backend | Laravel supplies backend functionality to a separate web or mobile client. (Laravel 13.x documentation) | You need a distinct client, such as a JavaScript single-page app or mobile app. |
Starter kits: useful, but optional
Laravel’s starter kits provide a starting structure that includes routes, controllers, views, and authentication scaffolding. Current official choices include React, Svelte, Vue, and Livewire. They can save setup work, but you can also begin with a fresh Laravel installation and build the pieces you need. (Laravel starter kits)
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What you need to start
The Laravel 13.x installation guide lists PHP, Composer, and the Laravel installer as prerequisites. Composer manages PHP packages and project dependencies. To compile frontend assets, the guide also calls for Node with npm, or Bun. Requirements can vary with the Laravel version and project, so check the installation guide for the version you intend to use. (Laravel 13.x installation guide)
Create and run a starter project
The documented workflow below creates a project named example-app, installs and builds frontend dependencies, and starts the local development environment. Treat it as the guide’s example; a project’s frontend setup can differ.
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Install PHP, Composer, and the Laravel installer as described in the Laravel installation guide.
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In a terminal, create the project:
laravel new example-app.Rank #4
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Move into the project directory:
cd example-app. -
Install and build frontend dependencies using the documented example:
npm install && npm run build.The Tool Desk
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Start the development environment:
composer run dev.
The installation guide describes Laravel Herd as an optional graphical local development environment for macOS and Windows. It also references PhpStorm as an IDE with Laravel-aware support; neither is required to use Laravel. (Laravel 13.x installation guide)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Laravel versions and PHP compatibility
Version compatibility and support dates change, so check Laravel’s release table when choosing a version. As listed in Laravel’s current release documentation, Laravel 13 supports PHP 8.3–8.5 and has a Q1 2026 release window, with bug fixes through Q3 2027 and security fixes through Q1 2028. Laravel 12 supports PHP 8.2–8.5, with security fixes through February 24, 2027. Laravel states that releases receive 18 months of bug fixes and two years of security fixes. These are the release-table entries and policy shown in the official documentation; check that page for updates. (Laravel release notes)
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