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Prequel Laravel Package
protoqol/prequel
Prequel is a Laravel database manager that gives you a clean web UI to browse and edit records, run SQL queries, inspect schemas, and manage your data without leaving your app. A lightweight alternative to heavier admin tools.
Prequel is a lightweight, open-source database management tool for Laravel applications. It provides a clean, secure web interface for exploring your database and running queries without leaving your app—ideal for local development, debugging, and quick data inspection.
- Database browser for tables, columns, indexes, and records
- SQL query editor for running queries and viewing results
- Schema inspection to understand table structure at a glance
- Search and filtering for quickly locating data
- Easy installation and configuration through Laravel
Frequently asked questions about Prequel
- Is Protoqol Prequel still maintained?
- No. The repository is archived and the last release was March 13, 2024. Upstream states it is not actively maintained due to time constraints, so expect no CVE response, PHP 8.x deprecation fixes, or Laravel 11 and 12 compatibility work. Any breakage becomes your team's responsibility.
- Which Laravel and PHP versions does Prequel support?
- Because Prequel is archived, its composer.json constraints lag current Laravel and PHP releases. Its service provider and asset-publishing APIs are common breakpoints on framework upgrades, so compatibility with newer Laravel versions is unproven. Verify resolution against your actual version matrix before adopting it.
- How do I install Prequel in a Laravel application?
- Install it with Composer, publish its config and compiled assets, and set the PREQUEL_ENABLED environment flag. The service provider is auto-discovered and registers its own route group that renders a SPA database browser. A developer can have it running against a local database in under 30 minutes.
- Is Prequel safe to use in production?
- No. Prequel executes arbitrary SQL and reads or writes any configured connection, so exposing it on a staging or production host is a direct data-exfiltration path. Treat it as a developer-environment tool only and gate it by environment, IP allowlist, and auth middleware. Defense in depth is required, not a single environment flag.
- How do I disable Prequel in production?
- Keep it out of production by installing it with require-dev and gating it behind the PREQUEL_ENABLED environment variable plus local-only middleware. Add an IP allowlist and authentication middleware as additional layers. A single environment flag is not sufficient protection for a browser-based SQL console.
- What databases does Prequel support?
- Prequel works across MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and SQL Server. It reuses your existing Laravel database connections, so there are no separate credentials or connection configuration to manage. That convenience inside the app is its main differentiator versus external tools.
- Does Prequel work with Laravel 11 or Laravel 12?
- It is not confirmed. The package was last released on March 13, 2024, and is archived, so service-provider and asset-publishing APIs may break on newer Laravel versions. Test dependency resolution against your version matrix and be prepared to fork and patch if you choose to keep it.
- What are the alternatives to Prequel for Laravel database management?
- The honest comparison set is Adminer, which is maintained, single-file, and containerisable, along with phpMyAdmin, client tools like TablePlus and DBeaver, and Laravel's own php artisan db and Tinker. Prequel's only edge is convenience inside the app, which is a thin margin. If you already have a sanctioned database tool, Prequel is largely redundant.
- Should I install Prequel as a dev dependency?
- Yes, if you trial it, install it with require-dev in a single pilot application and never add it to shared or internal packages. Pin the exact version and commit the lockfile because there are no upstream releases. Removal is a Composer uninstall plus asset cleanup, so exit is cheap by design.
- Can Prequel run raw SQL queries?
- Yes. Prequel's web UI includes a raw SQL runner alongside table browsing and record management. That capability is exactly why it must be environment-gated, IP-restricted, and protected by auth middleware. It reads and writes any configured database connection.
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