Laravel Actions

Laravel Actions or lorisleiva/laravel-actions

Overview

Use this skill to implement or update actions based on lorisleiva/laravel-actions with consistent structure and predictable testing patterns.

Quick Workflow

1. Confirm the package is installed with composer show lorisleiva/laravel-actions.
2. Create or edit an action class that uses Lorisleiva\Actions\Concerns\AsAction.
3. Implement handle(...) with the core business logic first.
4. Add adapter methods only when needed for the requested entrypoint:
   • asController (+ route/invokable controller usage)
   • asJob (+ dispatch)
   • asListener (+ event listener wiring)
   • asCommand (+ command signature/description)
5. Add or update tests for the chosen entrypoint.
6. When tests need isolation, use action fakes (MyAction::fake()) and assertions (MyAction::assertDispatched()).

Base Action Pattern

Use this minimal skeleton and expand only what is needed.

<?php

namespace App\Actions;

use Lorisleiva\Actions\Concerns\AsAction;

class PublishArticle
{
    use AsAction;

    public function handle(int $articleId): bool
    {
        return true;
    }
}

Project Conventions

• Place action classes in App\Actions unless an existing domain sub-namespace is already used.
• Use descriptive VerbNoun naming (e.g. PublishArticle, SyncVehicleTaxStatus).
• Keep domain/business logic in handle(...); keep transport and framework concerns in adapter methods (asController, asJob, asListener, asCommand).
• Prefer explicit parameter and return types in all action methods.
• Prefer PHPDoc for complex data contracts (e.g. array shapes), not inline comments.

When to Use an Action

• Use an Action when the same use-case needs multiple entrypoints (HTTP, queue, event, CLI) or benefits from first-class orchestration/faking.
• Keep a plain service class when logic is local, single-entrypoint, and unlikely to be reused as an Action.

Entrypoint Patterns

Run as Object

• (prefer method) Use static helper from the trait: PublishArticle::run($id).
• Use make and call handle: PublishArticle::make()->handle($id).
• Call with dependency injection: app(PublishArticle::class)->handle($id).

Run as Controller

• Use route to class (invokable style), e.g. Route::post('/articles/{id}/publish', PublishArticle::class).
• Add asController(...) for HTTP-specific adaptation and return a response.
• Add request validation (rules() or custom validator hooks) when input comes from HTTP.

Run as Job

• Dispatch with PublishArticle::dispatch($id).
• Use asJob(...) only for queue-specific behavior; keep domain logic in handle(...).
• In this project, job Actions often define additional queue lifecycle methods and job properties for retries, uniqueness, and timing control.

Project Pattern: Job Action with Extra Methods

<?php

namespace App\Actions\Demo;

use App\Models\Demo;
use DateTime;
use Lorisleiva\Actions\Concerns\AsAction;
use Lorisleiva\Actions\Decorators\JobDecorator;

class GetDemoData
{
    use AsAction;

    public int $jobTries = 3;

    public int $jobMaxExceptions = 3;

    public function getJobRetryUntil(): DateTime
    {
        return now()->addMinutes(30);
    }

    public function getJobBackoff(): array
    {
        return [60, 120];
    }

    public function getJobUniqueId(Demo $demo): string
    {
        return $demo->id;
    }

    public function handle(Demo $demo): void
    {
        // Core business logic.
    }

    public function asJob(JobDecorator $job, Demo $demo): void
    {
        // Queue-specific orchestration and retry behavior.
        $this->handle($demo);
    }
}

Use these members only when needed:

• $jobTries: max attempts for the queued execution.
• $jobMaxExceptions: max unhandled exceptions before failing.
• getJobRetryUntil(): absolute retry deadline.
• getJobBackoff(): retry delay strategy per attempt.
• getJobUniqueId(...): deduplication key for unique jobs.
• asJob(JobDecorator $job, ...): access attempt metadata and queue-only branching.

Run as Listener

• Register the action class as listener in EventServiceProvider.
• Use asListener(EventName $event) and delegate to handle(...).

Run as Command

• Define $commandSignature and $commandDescription properties.
• Implement asCommand(Command $command) and keep console IO in this method only.
• Import Command with use Illuminate\Console\Command;.

Testing Guidance

Use a two-layer strategy:

1. handle(...) tests for business correctness.
2. entrypoint tests (asController, asJob, asListener, asCommand) for wiring/orchestration.

Deep Dive: AsFake methods (2.x)

Reference: https://www.laravelactions.com/2.x/as-fake.html

Use these methods intentionally based on what you want to prove.

mock()

• Replaces the action with a full mock.
• Best when you need strict expectations and argument assertions.

PublishArticle::mock()
    ->shouldReceive('handle')
    ->once()
    ->with(42)
    ->andReturnTrue();

partialMock()

• Replaces the action with a partial mock.
• Best when you want to keep most real behavior but stub one expensive/internal method.

PublishArticle::partialMock()
    ->shouldReceive('fetchRemoteData')
    ->once()
    ->andReturn(['ok' => true]);

spy()

• Replaces the action with a spy.
• Best for post-execution verification ("was called with X") without predefining all expectations.

$spy = PublishArticle::spy()->allows('handle')->andReturnTrue();

// execute code that triggers the action...

$spy->shouldHaveReceived('handle')->with(42);