How to Create a Reusable Laravel Admin Panel for Multiple Projects

If you have ever worked on multiple Laravel projects at the same time, you will understand how repetitive and tedious it is to build an admin panel from scratch each time. The solution to this problem is to create an admin panel that can be reused in multiple projects. This approach not only saves time but also ensures that any updates, new features or bug fixes are automatically reflected in all projects using the panel.

This article will guide you on how to make your Laravel admin panel reusable across multiple projects by packaging it as a Laravel package, or using Git submodules or microservice architecture.

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Method 1: Convert the admin panel to a Laravel package

Converting your admin panel into a Laravel package is one of the best ways to make it reusable across multiple Laravel projects. This allows you to easily share admin panels between projects and centralize updates.

Step 1: Extract the admin panel code

First, move all admin panel code (e.g. controllers, views, routes, migrations, etc.) into a separate directory. For example, you could organize it like this:

<code>your-project/
└── packages/
    └── admin-panel/
        ├── src/
        ├── routes/
        ├── views/
        └── composer.json</code>

Step 2: Set the package structure

Next, you need to follow Laravel’s recommended package structure for ease of use and maintenance. This structure will allow you to keep your codebase organized and modular.

Step 3: Define the composer.json of the package

The composer.json file will contain basic information such as package name, description and autoloading settings. Here's a basic example:

<code>{
  "name": "your-vendor/admin-panel",
  "description": "适用于Laravel项目的可重用管理面板",
  "type": "library",
  "autoload": {
    "psr-4": {
      "YourVendor\AdminPanel\": "src/"
    }
  }
}</code>

This allows Composer to recognize and automatically load your package.

Step 4: Integrate the package with Laravel

In the src directory, you need to register the service provider, route and view of the package. This ensures that the package is properly integrated into your Laravel application.

Step Five: Hosting Package

Host your package on a GitHub or GitLab repository, or use a package hosting service like Packagist or Satis. This makes it easy to access and install the package in your other Laravel projects.

Step 6: Install packages in other projects

To use the admin panel with any Laravel project, just run the following Composer command:

<code>composer require your-vendor/admin-panel</code>

Step 7: Update package

Whenever you make improvements or fix bugs in the admin panel, just update the package repository. To update admin panels in other projects, run:

<code>composer update your-vendor/admin-panel</code>

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Method 2: Use Git submodule or Git subtree

If you don't want to create a full Laravel package, but still want to reuse the admin panel across multiple projects, you can include the admin panel code directly into your project using a Git submodule or a Git subtree.

Using Git submodules

1. Add the admin panel as a submodule: Add the admin panel repository as a Git submodule:

<code>your-project/
└── packages/
    └── admin-panel/
        ├── src/
        ├── routes/
        ├── views/
        └── composer.json</code>

2. Reference the submodule in every project: After adding a submodule, you can reference it in your Laravel application as a service provider or through the autoloading mechanism.
3. Update submodules: When changes are made to the admin panel, update submodules in all projects:

<code>{
  "name": "your-vendor/admin-panel",
  "description": "适用于Laravel项目的可重用管理面板",
  "type": "library",
  "autoload": {
    "psr-4": {
      "YourVendor\AdminPanel\": "src/"
    }
  }
}</code>

Using Git subtrees

1. Add admin panel as subtree: If you don't want to use submodules, you can add admin panel using Git subtree:

<code>composer require your-vendor/admin-panel</code>

2. Push updates: To update the admin panel in your project, you can push changes using a Git subtree:

<code>composer update your-vendor/admin-panel</code>

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Method 3: Use shared microservice method

If your admin panel contains API functionality or is more complex, you may want to treat it as a standalone service. Here’s how to use the shared microservices approach:

1. Deploy the admin panel as a standalone application: Deploy the admin panel as its own Laravel application, exposing its functionality via a RESTful API or GraphQL.
2. Connect other projects via API: Your other projects can interact with the admin panel by calling the API. This way you ensure that any updates to your admin panel functionality are immediately available to all connected projects.

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Advantages of these methods

• Centralized Updates: No need to manually update each individual project; any changes to the admin panel are automatically reflected in all projects.
• Modular design: Keeps the admin panel code separate from your main project code, making it easier to manage and update.
• Extensibility: You can grow the admin panel independently, ensuring every project can benefit from the latest features without incurring significant overhead.

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Conclusion

Reusing your Laravel admin panel across multiple projects doesn’t have to be a tedious task. Whether you choose to create a Laravel package, use Git submodules or subtrees, or even deploy your admin panel as a shared microservice, each approach will save you time, reduce redundancy, and ensure your admin panel is always up to date. By adopting one of these strategies, you will be able to manage your admin panel efficiently and make updates with ease.

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