- How do I install env-sync-laravel in a Laravel app?
- Install it with Composer using composer require andrey-helldar/env-sync-laravel. Laravel package auto-discovery should register the service provider, so no manual provider edit is normally needed. Then run the package's Artisan sync command and review the changes before applying them to production files.
- Which Laravel versions does env-sync-laravel support?
- Release 2.5.0 adds declared support for Laravel 11. Before upgrading, confirm the illuminate/* constraint was widened to include ^11.0 rather than replaced, and confirm the PHP floor is compatible with Laravel 11's PHP 8.2+ requirement. Laravel 10 apps remain installable only if the constraint was widened; otherwise they stay on 2.4.x.
- Does env-sync-laravel overwrite existing .env values?
- No, the package is designed to add missing keys without overwriting existing values. It compares .env and .env.example, fills absent variables with sensible defaults, and leaves current configuration intact. Comments and file structure are also preserved.
- How do I sync .env and .env.example safely in production?
- Use the dry-run mode first so you can inspect exactly which keys would be added to either file. Take a backup before applying changes, especially on staging or production, and avoid running sync blindly against a live .env. The package provides safe dry-run and backup support for this workflow.
- Can env-sync-laravel preserve comments and key order in .env files?
- Yes, env-sync-laravel preserves comments and file structure when it adds missing variables. Key ordering is configurable, so you can keep .env files organized consistently across environments. Existing values are not overwritten during the sync.
- Does env-sync-laravel support dry-run and backups?
- Yes, the package includes safe dry-run and backup support. Dry-run lets you preview missing-key additions before writing, and backups give you a recovery point before changes are applied. This is useful for onboarding checks and deployment preparation.
- What PHP version is required for env-sync-laravel with Laravel 11?
- Laravel 11 requires PHP 8.2 or newer, so the package's Laravel 11 support assumes a PHP 8.2+ floor. Check the composer.json constraint for the PHP requirement and for illuminate/support before upgrading. If a PHP floor bump was bundled into the minor release, PHP 8.1 consumers should treat it as breaking.
- How do I configure default values for missing env keys?
- The package supports configurable defaults and key ordering for missing variables. Define the defaults in the package configuration, then run the sync command so absent keys are added with those values. Existing keys keep their current values.
- Is env-sync-laravel actively maintained for new Laravel releases?
- The 2.5.0 release is a positive maintenance signal because it declares Laravel 11 support in a semver-legal minor. However, the release note alone does not prove a green CI matrix across Laravel 10 and 11, so check the repository's test matrix and release cadence. For long-term use, confirm the maintainer keeps pace with Laravel's annual major releases.
- What are alternatives to env-sync-laravel for keeping .env.example updated?
- Alternatives include manually maintaining .env.example, writing custom Composer or Artisan scripts, or using another env-sync package. Evaluate any option for Laravel 11 constraint support, preservation of comments and existing values, and dry-run or backup safety. For teams already on Laravel 11, env-sync-laravel 2.5.0 is a direct fit if its constraints check out.