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It’s a triumphant moment for any developer: pushing your code from a local machine to a live server for the world to see. I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve just had that exact experience. My first Laravel React CRUD app is now officially deployed and live!
This project was a deep dive into modern full-stack development, combining a powerful Laravel REST API on the backend with a dynamic React frontend. This article documents my complete journey, from choosing the tech stack to overcoming challenges and finally getting it online. Building my first Laravel React CRUD app was a significant learning milestone, and I’m here to share the process.
Ready to see the final product? You can explore the live application here: LIVE DEMO: app.cvhowlader.com
To see my other development work, please visit my portfolio page.
The Spark: Planning a Full-Stack Portfolio Project
The goal was to build a portfolio piece that demonstrates end-to-end skills. I wanted to move beyond simple tutorials and create a complete CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) system. This project was the perfect opportunity to showcase my abilities in building a full-stack Laravel API with a React frontend, a highly sought-after skill set.
The Tech Stack: The Foundation for My First Laravel React CRUD App
Choosing the right technologies is critical. Here’s the stack I used and why it was the perfect choice for this application.
- Backend Framework: Laravel Laravel is renowned for its elegant syntax and robust features. Using the Eloquent ORM for database interaction and creating RESTful API endpoints was incredibly efficient, which is essential when you’re building your first Laravel React CRUD app from scratch.
- Frontend Library: React For the user interface, React’s component-based architecture was ideal. I was able to manage application state effectively and create a responsive user experience that communicates seamlessly with the Laravel backend. This is a common challenge that I discussed in my previous article, “[Link to a previous article if you have one, e.g., ‘Managing State in Modern JavaScript Apps’].”
- Database: MySQL A classic, reliable choice for relational data. Laravel’s integration with MySQL is flawless, making migrations and data management a breeze.
- Deployment & Hosting The final step was deploying on DigitalNodi. This involved setting up a server, configuring Nginx, and using PM2 or Supervisor to keep the application running.
The Building Process: From Code to a Live Application
The core of the application allows users to create, read, update, delete products.
No project is without its hurdles. The biggest challenge I faced during the development of my first Laravel React CRUD app was implementing secure user authentication. I solved this by using Laravel Sanctum, which provides a straightforward way to handle API token authentication for SPAs (Single Page Applications). It was a huge “eureka!” moment when the login system’s API endpoint worked perfectly with the React frontend on the live server.
Explore the Live App!
I invite you to try out the application. Your feedback is welcome! It represents a significant step in my journey as a full-stack developer.
Check out the live deployment: https://app.cvhowlader.com
Here is a screenshot of the main interface:the goal was twofold. First, I wanted to solidify my understanding of how a modern full-stack application is built, with a clear separation between a backend API and a frontend client. Second, I wanted to build a tangible project for my portfolio that demonstrates practical, real-world skills in creating a full CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) system.
The Tech Stack: The Foundation for My First Laravel React CRUD App
Choosing the right technologies is critical for a full-stack portfolio project. Here’s the stack I used and why it was the perfect choice for this application, incorporating several Laravel best practices.
- Backend Framework: Laravel Laravel is renowned for its elegant syntax and robust features. Using the Eloquent ORM for database interaction and creating RESTful API endpoints was incredibly efficient. The framework’s scalability is essential when you’re building your first Laravel React CRUD app from scratch.
- Frontend Library: React For the user interface, React’s component-based architecture was ideal. I leveraged React Hooks for state management and creating a responsive user experience. The frontend, built using Vite, communicates seamlessly with the Laravel backend.
- Database: MySQL A classic, reliable choice for relational data. Laravel’s integration with MySQL is flawless, making database migrations and data management a breeze.
- Deployment & Hosting The final step was deploying on DigitalNodi. This involved setting up a server, configuring Nginx, writing a deployment script, and using PM2 or Supervisor to keep the application running.
The Building Process: Key Features & Hurdles
The core of the application is its CRUD functionality. Users can create, read, update, delete products..
Building this wasn’t without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was
- “…setting up to view the image uploaded.”
- “…managing complex state in React when multiple components needed to share data.”
My “eureka!” moment came when I finally saw the data from my Laravel backend appear on my React frontend on the live server. It was the moment everything clicked into place.
Explore the Live App!
I invite you to explore the application yourself. I’m proud of how it turned out, and it serves as a strong foundation for future, more complex projects.
Check out the live deployment: https://app.cvhowlader.com
Here is a screenshot of the main interface:
5 Key Takeaways from This Project
This project was more than just writing code. Here are the 5 most important lessons I learned:
- API Design is Crucial: A well-designed, RESTful API is the backbone of a strong application.
- Environment Variables (
.env) Matter: Understanding how to securely manage different keys and settings for development and production is non-negotiable. - CORS Can Be Tricky: Cross-Origin Resource Sharing is a common hurdle in decoupled apps, and knowing how to configure it properly is essential.
- Deployment is a Skill in Itself: The process of server configuration, dependency installation, and process management is a separate and vital skill.
- Persistence Pays Off: Debugging a blank screen on a live server can be frustrating, but pushing through those challenges is what leads to growth.
This entire process has been foundational for me. To learn more about my professional background and skills, feel free to visit my About Me page.
August 21, 2025
