- What is wolf-leo/phplogviewer used for?
- wolf-leo/phplogviewer provides a lightweight web interface for reading application logs, so you can browse, search, and filter entries without using tail or grepping files over SSH. It is handy for Laravel projects because it can inspect files such as storage/logs/laravel.log and surface errors and debug messages quickly. It also works with custom PHP log files when you point it at the right directory.
- How do I install wolf-leo/phplogviewer in a Laravel project?
- Install it with Composer using composer require wolf-leo/phplogviewer, then follow the package setup steps to register or expose the viewer route. In a Laravel app you would typically point the viewer at storage/logs and make sure the web server user can read those files. Check the README for any publishable configuration or middleware requirements before opening the UI.
- Can I use PHP Log Viewer with custom log files outside Laravel?
- Yes. Although it is useful in Laravel, the package is described as a lightweight PHP log viewer, so it can read custom log files as long as the viewer is configured with an accessible path. You can use it in non-Laravel PHP applications or point it at application-specific log directories. Just ensure file permissions allow the PHP process to read the logs.
- Which Laravel versions does wolf-leo/phplogviewer support?
- The package is a lightweight log-reading UI rather than a deep framework integration, so it is generally not tied to a specific Laravel release as long as your Composer constraints are satisfied. Check the package composer.json and README for explicit PHP and Laravel version requirements. Always run a quick smoke test after upgrading Laravel or PHP.
- Is it safe to run a PHP log viewer in production?
- Treat a log viewer as a sensitive admin tool: logs can contain stack traces, credentials, personal data, and internal paths. Put the viewer behind authentication and authorization, restrict it by IP or middleware where possible, and consider disabling it entirely in production. Never expose the route publicly without protection.
- How do I search and filter logs in the web UI?
- The web UI is designed for browsing logs and narrowing them down with search and filter controls. You can search for exception messages, request IDs, or specific text, then filter the results to focus on errors or relevant entries. This is faster than opening large log files manually when you are debugging.
- Do I need to configure a log path or channel for wolf-leo/phplogviewer?
- You normally configure the viewer to point at a log directory or file, such as Laravel storage/logs folder. Make sure the path is readable by the PHP process and that daily or rotated log files are included if you need them. The exact configuration keys depend on the package version, so refer to the README for the available options.
- How can I test the log viewer locally before deploying?
- Create or copy a sample log file with a few error and debug entries, point the viewer at that directory, and open the UI through your local Laravel development server. Verify that browsing, searching, and filtering return the expected entries before deploying. Keep the test route protected or local-only.
- What are alternatives to wolf-leo/phplogviewer for Laravel logs?
- Common alternatives include Laravel Telescope, dedicated Laravel log viewer packages such as opcodesio/log-viewer, and hosted log services. wolf-leo/phplogviewer is aimed at teams that want a simple, lightweight web UI for files without adding a database-backed debugging tool. Choose based on whether you need authentication, retention, alerting, or multi-server aggregation.
- Is wolf-leo/phplogviewer actively maintained and how do I keep it updated?
- Check the package Packagist page and source repository for recent releases, open issues, and compatibility notes before adopting it. Keep it updated with Composer and review the changelog for breaking changes. If the project appears inactive, pin a known-good version or evaluate an actively maintained alternative.