- What is andrey-helldar/cache used for in Laravel?
- It is a lightweight helper for working with Laravel's cache, simplifying storing, retrieving, remembering, and forgetting values. It adds a clean API with TTL support and cache tags while staying on top of Laravel's existing cache abstraction and configured stores. It is intended for ordinary Laravel applications rather than non-Laravel services or custom cache backends.
- How do I install andrey-helldar/cache in a Laravel app?
- Install it with Composer using composer require andrey-helldar/cache. The package uses Laravel package auto-discovery, so basic usage should not require publishing configuration. After installation, clear or rebuild cached configuration in each environment with the appropriate Artisan command.
- Does andrey-helldar/cache support cache tags?
- Yes, the package offers cache tags, but tagged behavior ultimately depends on the underlying Laravel cache store. Stores such as Redis and Memcached support tags, while some drivers do not. Confirm tag support for your production driver before depending on tagged operations.
- Which Laravel versions does andrey-helldar/cache 4.2.0 support?
- Release 4.2.0 is a compatibility-expansion release whose functional change is Laravel 13 support, so it is the version to target for Laravel 13. The release notes do not list the exact illuminate/* constraints or PHP version floor, so check the tagged composer.json before committing. Do not assume one install serves Laravel 11, 12, and 13 concurrently without verifying constraints.
- Is andrey-helldar/cache safe for production use?
- Release 4.2.0 is low technical risk because it adds Laravel 13 support and has no documented new APIs, config-key changes, or migration steps. The main concern is structural: a single-primary-maintainer package with a widened framework support matrix. Before deploying, verify the service provider identifier and published config keys, then rebuild cached configuration.
- How do I test my application after upgrading andrey-helldar/cache?
- Run your existing test suite against the same cache store configuration used in staging, and add regression coverage for tagged and TTL-based operations. For unit tests, use Laravel's array cache store or cache fakes to avoid external dependencies. Because 4.2.0 is mostly compatibility work, test execution should dominate the upgrade effort.
- Did the Smart Cache rebrand change the package name or namespace?
- The 4.2.0 notes mention README Smart Cache rebranding and banner or preview art, not documented API or namespace changes. Treat naming as unverified until you inspect the tagged release for package name, namespace, service provider identifier, and published config keys. If any identifier changed, clear and rebuild config cache before rollout.
- Which cache stores work with andrey-helldar/cache?
- It fits standard Laravel cache drivers such as file, database, Redis, and Memcached. Portability is unproven for non-Laravel shared caches, cross-language consumers, or bespoke stores. Confirm compatibility with your actual backing store by test rather than relying only on declared framework support.
- What are the alternatives to andrey-helldar/cache?
- The main alternative is Laravel's native Cache facade and cache contracts, which already provide put, get, remember, forget, TTL, and tag behavior depending on the store. This package is a convenience wrapper, so choose it when its API reduces repetition in your application or package. Teams minimizing dependencies may prefer the framework API directly.
- How is andrey-helldar/cache maintained and what is its release cadence?
- Functional work is attributable to @andrey-helldar, so the project has a single primary maintainer and a bus factor of one. The provided release notes do not state a formal support window or deprecation policy for older Laravel majors. Track releases and pin versions according to your risk tolerance, and ask the maintainer about CI coverage for Laravel 13 before a production commitment.