- How do I install nova-filepond in a Laravel Nova application?
- Install it with Composer using composer require digital-creative/nova-filepond, then add the field to a Nova resource. Nova auto-registers the package assets, so there is no npm or Mix build step. You can optionally publish the config file to override the default disk, temp path, route names, and route middleware.
- Does nova-filepond support multiple images or videos in one field?
- Yes. Use the field normally for a single file path, or chain ->multiple() when the model column stores an array of paths. FilePond provides drag-and-drop uploads, image previews, progress indicators, and single or multiple modes inside Nova.
- Which Laravel and Nova versions does nova-filepond support?
- The v1.0.6 release notes do not restate a Nova, Laravel, PHP, or FilePond compatibility matrix, so verify the Composer constraints before committing. Test asset auto-registration on your target Nova version and record the supported versions in your repository. Version mismatches tend to fail late as confusing frontend upload errors.
- What does nova-filepond store in the database: paths or URLs, and which disk?
- The field writes relative paths into the model column, or an array of paths when using ->multiple(); it does not store URLs. Resolve public URLs in your application with a model accessor or cast, or with a Nova display field. Set the disk explicitly with ->disk('public') when using local storage and storage:link, or configure S3 with temporaryUrl reads; otherwise it inherits filesystems.default and files can land in storage/app where browsers cannot reach them.
- Why are existing file previews broken on the Nova edit screen?
- Broken previews usually come from the load endpoint that hydrates existing files on the edit screen, not from the upload itself. A 401 or 403 from a guard mismatch or an expired signed URL is the common cause. Review the load route middleware in the published config and confirm the disk and path isolation match your authorization model.
- Is client-side validation such as maxFileSize safe for production?
- No. Client-side limits such as maxFileSize are advisory, are expressed in bytes rather than kilobytes, and the REST endpoint can be called directly. Duplicate every limit in server-side Laravel validation rules; treat that as mandatory for production.
- How do I test nova-filepond uploads and load endpoints?
- Use Laravel feature tests with Storage::fake, act as an authorized Nova user, submit an upload, and assert that the model column contains the expected relative path. Exercise the load route with the same guard and middleware your Nova app uses so authorization regressions surface in CI. Also test both default and custom path flows and audit any downstream consumer that parses the stored name attribute.
- How does nova-filepond handle file deletion and soft deletes?
- The ->prunable() behavior fires on an actual model delete. If your schema relies heavily on soft deletes, add an observer or a forceDeleted hook so orphaned uploads are cleaned up when records are permanently removed.
- Can I customize nova-filepond routes or hook into upload events?
- The published config is the sanctioned override surface: default disk, temp path, load and store route names, and route middleware. There are no events to hook, so anything beyond config requires subclassing the field and overriding load() or store(), which becomes an in-house subclass to maintain. Note that v1.0.6 changes the filename returned by the Load Controller when a path is set, so review existing displayUsing() basename shims.
- Is nova-filepond actively maintained, and what alternatives exist?
- It is a small, single-maintainer package with about 55 stars, zero dependents, and a last release dated 2024-01-31, so treat maintenance as a strategic risk rather than an immediate one. Pin the Composer version, assign a named owner, and agree fork capacity in advance. Alternatives include Nova's stock file and image fields or a custom upload field if your requirements exceed what this package ships.