- What is padosoft/laravel-test used for?
- padosoft/laravel-test is a lightweight testing companion for Laravel applications and packages. It provides base test case classes and utilities that reduce boilerplate when writing PHPUnit or Pest tests. The goal is to simplify setup and assertions so you can focus on shipping reliable code.
- How do I install padosoft/laravel-test?
- Install it with Composer as a development dependency using composer require --dev padosoft/laravel-test. Because it is a testing helper, it should stay in the require-dev section of your composer.json. After installation, any service provider it ships is typically registered automatically through Laravel package discovery.
- Does padosoft/laravel-test work with Pest as well as PHPUnit?
- The package is described as supporting PHPUnit and Pest testing workflows. Pest runs on top of PHPUnit, so base test case classes generally remain usable in Pest test files. Check the README for the recommended way to extend the provided base classes in each framework.
- Which Laravel versions does padosoft/laravel-test support?
- The supported Laravel and PHP versions are defined in the package's composer.json constraints. Review those constraints or the README before installing to confirm compatibility with your project. If you are on an older Laravel release, verify that the installed package version matches your framework version.
- How do I use the base test case in my Laravel application tests?
- Extend the provided base test case class in your test files instead of Laravel's default TestCase where appropriate. This gives you access to the shared helpers and setup logic bundled with the package. Keep your application-specific assertions in your own test classes and let the base class handle common scaffolding.
- Can I use padosoft/laravel-test to test a Laravel package?
- Yes, the package is explicitly intended for testing both Laravel applications and packages. Base test classes help package authors bootstrap a Laravel environment without repeating boilerplate in every package. This is useful when your package needs framework services such as configuration, containers, or database connections during tests.
- Do I need to configure anything after installing padosoft/laravel-test?
- In most cases no manual configuration is required beyond installing it as a dev dependency. If the package offers publishable configuration or environment options, the README will describe how to publish them. Start by extending the provided base test case and run your existing test suite to confirm everything works.
- Is padosoft/laravel-test meant for production or only development?
- It is a development-only testing dependency and should not be installed in production environments. Keep it in require-dev and ensure your deployment process runs composer install with --no-dev. This keeps your production autoloader lean and avoids shipping test scaffolding.
- How does padosoft/laravel-test compare to Laravel's built-in testing helpers?
- Laravel already ships with a solid testing foundation, and this package builds on that by providing reusable base classes and utilities. It is best viewed as a lightweight companion rather than a replacement for Laravel's testing features. If your tests already work well with Laravel's defaults, adopt the package only where its helpers reduce duplication.
- Is padosoft/laravel-test actively maintained?
- Maintenance activity is best checked on the GitHub repository, including recent commits, releases, and open issues. Review the latest tagged version and its compatibility with your Laravel release before adopting it. For long-lived projects, pin a version in composer.json and review changelogs when upgrading.