Locale Laravel Laravel Package

Getting Started

1. Require the package with Composer and confirm your app meets the release constraints:

   composer require uselocale/locale-laravel:^2.0
   

   2.0.1 adds Laravel 10.x compatibility, so verify laravel/framework and PHP versions before upgrading. If you are on Laravel 9 or 11, check the package’s composer.json constraints rather than assuming compatibility.

2. Publish any package config and language assets:

   php artisan vendor:publish --provider="UseLocale\Locale\LocaleServiceProvider"
   

   Check the README for the exact provider/tag names. Start by reviewing config/locale.php and the package README’s middleware/route examples.

3. Register the locale middleware if the package does not auto-register it. Typical placement is in the web middleware group, after session startup and before routes that depend on the current locale.

4. First use case: add a localized route group, resolve the current locale from the URL/session, and expose a simple language switcher. Keep Laravel’s normal __() / trans() calls as the translation API; the package should manage locale resolution and switching, not replace Laravel’s translator.

Implementation Patterns

• URL-based locale routing: Put localized routes behind the package middleware and use a route prefix or route parameter for the locale. Keep one canonical URL strategy to avoid duplicate content.
• Session/cookie language switching: Create a small controller that validates the requested locale against an allowlist, stores it in session or cookie, then redirects back to the same page. Never redirect to an unvalidated external URL.
• Middleware-driven locale resolution: Let the package middleware set app()->setLocale() early in the request lifecycle. Keep custom resolution logic in a dedicated resolver or middleware rather than scattering App::setLocale() calls across controllers.
• Blade integration: Use the package’s helpers/directives for current locale and switcher links if provided. Otherwise, wrap Laravel’s app()->getLocale() in a small Blade component so views do not depend directly on package internals.
• Translation workflow: Keep translation files in version control and run any package sync/import commands in CI or a deploy step. Treat generated files as build artifacts if the package supports syncing from an external translation source.
• Testing: Add feature tests for each supported locale, asserting redirects, session/cookie persistence, route generation, and rendered translations. Clear config and route caches in test setup if the package reads cached locale configuration.
• SEO integration: Generate hreflang links and canonicals from the same locale allowlist used by the middleware. This keeps routing, switcher, and SEO metadata consistent.
• Upgrade path: Treat 2.0.1 as a compatibility release, not a feature release. If coming from 1.x, review the 2.0.0 changelog/upgrade notes first; 2.0.1 only adds Laravel 10 support.

Gotchas and Tips

• Version constraints matter: 2.0.1 explicitly targets Laravel 10 compatibility. Confirm PHP and Laravel constraints before upgrading, especially if you are on Laravel 11+ or still on Laravel 9.
• Middleware order: Locale detection must run after session initialization but before anything that depends on translated content, route model binding with localized slugs, or locale-aware URL generation.
• Cache clearing: After changing locale config, route prefixes, or middleware registration, run php artisan config:clear and php artisan route:clear. Cached routes/config can make locale changes appear ignored.
• Validate locales: Always compare the requested locale against a configured allowlist. Do not pass raw route parameters into setLocale() or file paths.
• Choose one persistence strategy: Mixing URL locale, session locale, and cookie locale can produce surprising redirects. Define precedence clearly, e.g. URL parameter → session → browser preference → default.
• Debugging resolution: Log the detected locale source (route, session, cookie, Accept-Language, default) in non-production environments. Most locale bugs are precedence bugs, not translation bugs.
• Avoid vendor edits: Use published config, custom middleware, or a small resolver class as extension points. Keep package overrides in app code so Composer updates remain safe.
• Watch for deprecations: Laravel 10 compatibility may surface deprecated helpers or config patterns. Run the full test suite and check deprecation logs after upgrading.