Weave Code
Menu Laravel Package
akaunting/menu
A Laravel package for building, managing, and rendering application menus. Define menu items and nested navigation structures in code, then output ready-to-use menus with flexible configuration for admin interfaces.
Menu and sidebar management package for Laravel
Frequently asked questions about Menu
- What is akaunting/menu used for in Laravel applications?
- akaunting/menu is a menu and sidebar management package for Laravel, aimed at server-rendered admin and back-office navigation. It lets you define menu items and nested structures in code and render them through Blade layouts with flexible configuration. It fits conventional Laravel monoliths better than headless or API-first architectures.
- How do I install akaunting/menu via Composer?
- Install it with composer require akaunting/menu, then rely on Laravel package auto-discovery to register the service provider. Publish the configuration and any optional migrations with the package's vendor:publish tags, then review them before running migrations. Pin an explicit version and validate the Composer constraints against your Laravel and PHP versions first.
- Which Laravel and PHP versions does akaunting/menu support?
- The package's last release was October 2023, so you should treat supported Laravel and PHP versions as unconfirmed until you check its composer.json constraints. Run a compatibility spike against your exact illuminate/* and PHP versions before committing. If you are on a newer Laravel release, plan a fork-and-test decision rather than assuming it works.
- Can akaunting/menu build nested menus and admin sidebars?
- Yes, defining menu items and nested navigation structures in code is the package's core purpose, and it is designed for admin sidebars and internal navigation. You can output ready-to-use menus with configurable rendering. Confirm the exact nesting API in the source or README, since documentation is limited.
- Does akaunting/menu provide menu CRUD and a management UI, or only code-defined menus?
- The evaluation notes uncertainty here: a proof of concept should confirm whether menus are config-driven, database-backed, or both. The package includes optional migrations, which suggests some database backing, but it is not clear that a full CRUD UI is included. Inspect the published migrations and source before assuming a management interface exists.
- How do I render an akaunting menu in a Blade template?
- Menus are intended to be rendered in Blade layouts, which is the package's primary integration path. Install the package, publish its config, define a menu, and output it in one admin layout as a proof of concept. Avoid calling package facades or models directly throughout your views; wrap rendering behind an internal builder or repository.
- Is akaunting/menu suitable for SPA, Inertia, or API-driven frontends?
- It is not a good fit as a generic navigation service for SPA, Inertia, or API-first frontends without an adapter layer. The package targets server-rendered Blade layouts in conventional admin shells. If you need JSON navigation for a headless frontend, plan a serialization adapter rather than assuming Blade output is reusable.
- How does akaunting/menu handle authorization, translations, caching, and multi-tenancy?
- Authorization, translation, caching, and multi-tenancy hooks are open questions that a proof of concept should verify rather than assume. Database-backed menus can add queries per request, so cache resolved or rendered menus where possible. Test visibility with your real auth and role stack, including at least one non-admin role.
- Is akaunting/menu actively maintained enough for production use?
- Expect low-activity open-source maintenance: the repository has around 37 stars and its last release was October 2023. MIT licensing is favorable, but there is no support SLA, limited test coverage, and uncertain compatibility with newer Laravel versions. Assign an internal owner, pin the version, and budget for a fork or replacement.
- Can I replace akaunting/menu later, and what alternatives should I consider?
- You can reduce replacement risk by wrapping the package behind an internal MenuRepository or MenuBuilder contract so callers do not depend on package models or facades. Alternatives include building a simple in-house menu or using another Laravel menu package, but evaluate maintenance and Laravel version support the same way. Keep a documented fallback to a lightweight in-house menu.
Weaver
How can I help you explore Laravel packages today?