- How do I install rfrommherz/api in a Laravel project?
- Install it with Composer by running composer require rfrommherz/api from the root of your Laravel application. Because the package is Laravel-native, any service provider it ships is normally registered through package discovery, so you rarely need to edit config/app.php by hand. If it includes a publishable config file, publish it with the vendor:publish command. Check the repository README for the current steps, since installation details can change between releases.
- What is rfrommherz/api used for?
- It is a lightweight scaffolding package for building and consuming JSON APIs inside Laravel. It adds a small, opinionated layer on top of Laravel's HTTP client and routing so you can define endpoints quickly, return responses in a predictable structure, and keep endpoint code organized. It is aimed at small projects and prototypes that need a clean API foundation without extra dependencies.
- Which Laravel versions does rfrommherz/api support?
- The package is built as a Laravel-native integration, so it targets the Laravel versions declared in its composer.json requirements. Check that file, or the compatibility notes in the README, before installing on a very old or brand-new Laravel release. Because it is a thin layer over core HTTP and routing features, it tends to follow the framework's own support window rather than depending on separate libraries.
- Does rfrommherz/api add extra dependencies to my application?
- No, the package is described as lightweight and is designed to sit on top of what Laravel already provides, so it should not pull in a large dependency tree. It relies on the framework's routing, HTTP client, and validation features. That makes it a low-risk addition for existing applications where you want to avoid extra packages and keep the vendor directory lean.
- How do I define API endpoints with rfrommherz/api?
- You define endpoints using the simple route definitions the package provides, which wrap Laravel's normal routing rather than replacing it. Your endpoint code therefore stays close to the framework you already know while boilerplate for responses and request handling is reduced. Standard Laravel middleware, route groups, prefixes, and route model binding still apply as usual.
- How do I return consistent JSON responses with rfrommherz/api?
- The package's main goal is a predictable response structure, so success and error payloads look the same across all your endpoints. Instead of building arrays by hand in every controller, you use the package's helpers to shape the output. Your tests and front-end clients can then rely on a single response contract.
- Can rfrommherz/api be used to consume external APIs, not just build them?
- Yes, the package covers both building and consuming JSON APIs and layers its helpers over Laravel's HTTP client. That lets you call third-party services with the same conventions you use for your own endpoints. It is still Laravel's client underneath, so familiar methods and HTTP fakes remain available in tests.
- How does validation work with rfrommherz/api?
- Request handling is validation-ready, so you can validate incoming data with Laravel's usual tools such as validate() calls or FormRequests. Because responses follow a consistent JSON structure, validation failures are designed to come back in the same shape as other API errors. That keeps client-side error handling simple and predictable.
- How do I test endpoints built with rfrommherz/api?
- The package is designed to be test-friendly, so endpoints can be covered with ordinary Laravel feature tests. Use the framework's HTTP testing helpers to call your routes and assert the JSON structure the package returns. Since the layer is thin, there is very little package-specific behaviour to mock or work around.
- Is rfrommherz/api a good choice for production applications?
- It is positioned for small projects and prototypes, which is where its minimal, opinionated approach pays off most. For larger production systems, weigh whether you need features it deliberately leaves out, such as authentication, API versioning, or pagination helpers. Because it is a small package, also review recent commit activity and open issues before committing to it long term.