If you’ve ever worked on multiple Laravel projects, you’ll know how repetitive it can be to build an admin panel from scratch each time. A solution to this problem is creating a reusable admin panel that can be used across multiple projects. This approach not only saves time but also ensures that any updates, new features, or bug fixes are automatically reflected in all the projects where the panel is used.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of making your Laravel admin panel reusable across multiple projects by packaging it as a Laravel package, or alternatively, using Git submodules or a microservice architecture.

Option 1: Convert the Admin Panel into a Laravel Package

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

Step 1: Extract the Admin Panel Code

Start by moving all your admin panel code (such as controllers, views, routes, migrations, etc.) into a separate directory. For example, you might organize it like this:

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

Step 2: Set Up the Package Structure

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

Step 3: Define the composer.json for the Package

The composer.json file will contain essential information like the package name, description, and autoload settings. Here's a basic example:

{
  "name": "your-vendor/admin-panel",
  "description": "Reusable admin panel for Laravel projects",
  "type": "library",
  "autoload": {
    "psr-4": {
      "YourVendor\\AdminPanel\\": "src/"
    }
  }
}

This allows Composer to recognize and autoload your package.

Step 4: Integrate the Package with Laravel

In the src directory, you’ll need to register the package’s service provider, routes, and views. This ensures that the package is properly integrated into your Laravel applications.

Step 5: Host the 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 the Package in Other Projects

To use the admin panel in any of your Laravel projects, simply run the following Composer command:

composer require your-vendor/admin-panel

Step 7: Update the Package

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

composer update your-vendor/admin-panel

Option 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 use Git submodules or Git subtree to include the admin panel code directly into your projects.

Using Git Submodule

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

   git submodule add https://github.com/your-repo/admin-panel.git admin-panel

1. Reference the Submodule in Each Project: Once the submodule is added, you can reference it in your Laravel application as a service provider or through autoload mechanisms.
2. Update the Submodule: When changes are made to the admin panel, update the submodule in all projects:

   git submodule update --remote

Using Git Subtree

1. Add the Admin Panel as a Subtree: If you prefer not to use submodules, you can use Git subtree to add the admin panel:

   git subtree add --prefix=admin-panel https://github.com/your-repo/admin-panel.git main --squash

1. Push Updates: To update the admin panel across your projects, you can push changes using Git subtree:

   git subtree push --prefix=admin-panel https://github.com/your-repo/admin-panel.git main

Option 3: Use a Shared Microservice Approach

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

1. Deploy the Admin Panel as a Standalone Application:
   Deploy the admin panel as its own Laravel application, exposing its functionality through RESTful APIs or GraphQL.

2. Connect Other Projects via API:
   Your other projects can interact with the admin panel by calling the APIs. This way, you ensure that any updates to the admin panel’s features are instantly available to all connected projects.

Benefits of These Approaches

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

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 subtree, or even deploy the admin panel as a shared microservice, each of these methods will save you time, reduce redundancy, and ensure your admin panel is always up to date. By adopting one of these strategies, you’ll be able to efficiently manage your admin panel and make updates with ease.