- How do I migrate an existing Laravel Blade app to Inertia.js without breaking existing routes?
- Replace `return view('page')` with `return Inertia::render('Page')` in your controllers. Use Blade components as Inertia page templates by wrapping them in `@inertia` directives. Start with non-critical routes and use feature flags to toggle Inertia routes incrementally. The Laravel adapter preserves middleware, validation, and auth logic, so most backend logic remains unchanged.
- Does Inertia.js Laravel support Server-Side Rendering (SSR) for better SEO?
- Yes, the package fully supports SSR via Laravel’s Blade + Inertia.js. Configure SSR by setting up the Laravel Vite plugin and ensuring your frontend assets are built for SSR. SSR improves SEO and initial load times, but requires Node.js/Vite setup. Test SSR in staging to avoid hydration mismatches or broken builds.
- Can I use Inertia.js with Laravel’s API routes (e.g., `Route::apiResource`)?
- Absolutely. Inertia.js works alongside Laravel’s API routes seamlessly. Use `Inertia::render()` for SPA-like responses or return traditional JSON responses for non-SPA endpoints. This hybrid approach lets you adopt Inertia incrementally while keeping existing API logic intact. Example: `Route::get('/dashboard', [DashboardController::class, 'index'])->name('dashboard');` with `return Inertia::render('Dashboard');` in the controller.
- What Laravel versions does `inertiajs/inertia-laravel` support?
- The package supports Laravel 9.x and 10.x (check the [GitHub releases](https://github.com/inertiajs/inertia-laravel/releases) for exact versions). For Laravel 8.x, use v0.3.x. Always pin the package version in `composer.json` to avoid breaking changes. The adapter aligns with Laravel’s release cycle, so updates typically include compatibility fixes.
- How do I handle form validation and redirects with Inertia.js in Laravel?
- Use Laravel’s built-in validation (e.g., Form Requests) and redirect with `Inertia::location()` or `Inertia::render()`. Flash data (e.g., errors) works automatically via Laravel’s `ShareErrorsFromSession` middleware. For client-side validation, use frontend frameworks (Vue/React) with Inertia’s `once` or `reload` props to sync state. Example: `return Inertia::render('Profile/Edit', ['errors' => $validator->errors()]);`
- What’s the best way to test Inertia.js pages in Laravel with Pest?
- Use Pest’s `assertInertia` and `assertInertiaFlash` helpers to test page renders, props, and flash messages. Example: `assertInertia(fn() => get('/dashboard'))->component('Dashboard')->location('/dashboard');`. Mock Inertia responses in unit tests with `Inertia::fake()`. For end-to-end testing, combine with Laravel’s HTTP tests or browser automation tools like Playwright.
- How do I optimize performance for Inertia.js pages with large payloads?
- Use `Inertia::share()` to cache global data (e.g., user auth) across requests. For dynamic data, leverage `once` or `reload` props to defer loading. Avoid over-fetching by structuring props carefully. Monitor payload sizes with Laravel Debugbar or Blackfire, and consider edge caching (e.g., Varnish) for SSR pages. Example: `Inertia::share(['auth' => fn() => Auth::user()]);`
- Can I use Inertia.js with multiple frontend frameworks (Vue, React, Svelte) in the same Laravel app?
- Yes, the Laravel adapter is framework-agnostic. Choose your frontend framework per route by configuring the `inertia` middleware or using `Inertia::setRootView()` for custom layouts. Example: `Inertia::setRootView('resources/js/app.vue')` for Vue or `resources/js/app.jsx` for React. Document the framework per route in your team’s architecture guide to avoid confusion.
- What are the alternatives to Inertia.js for Laravel SPAs, and when should I choose them?
- Alternatives include Laravel Livewire (for simpler SPAs with Blade), Next.js (for full-stack React apps), or traditional SPAs with Laravel as a backend API. Choose Inertia.js if you want to leverage Laravel’s routing, middleware, and validation while using Vue/React/Svelte. Livewire is better for Blade-heavy apps, while Next.js offers more frontend flexibility but requires a separate Node.js setup.
- How do I handle middleware conflicts between Inertia.js and Laravel’s default middleware stack?
- Place Inertia’s `HandleInertiaRequests` middleware **before** Laravel’s `ShareErrorsFromSession` to prevent flash data loss. Use `Inertia::disableSsr()` for non-SSR routes if conflicts arise. Document middleware order in your team’s Laravel setup guide. Example: In `app/Http/Kernel.php`, ensure `HandleInertiaRequests` appears before `ShareErrorsFromSession` in the `$middlewareGroups['web']` array.