Build Your First App Step-by-Step
If you're looking to build powerful, modern web applications in 2025, you're in the right place. Laravel is one of the most elegant and productive PHP frameworks available today. This guide is written for absolute beginners. We’ll go from a blank folder to a working to-do application. Let’s build something real.
Prerequisites
Before starting, ensure you have:
- PHP 8.2+
- Composer
- Node.js & npm
- SQLite / MySQL
- Terminal
Install Laravel
# Install Laravel installer
composer global require laravel/installer
# Create project
laravel new todo-app
cd todo-app
Create SQLite database:
touch database/database.sqlite
Update your .env file:
DB_CONNECTION=sqlite
Run server:
php artisan serve
Create Migration & Model
php artisan make:model Task -m
Update migration:
Schema::create('tasks', function (Blueprint $table) {
$table->id();
$table->string('title');
$table->boolean('is_completed')->default(false);
$table->timestamps();
});
Run migration:
php artisan migrate
Configure Routes & Controller
php artisan make:controller TaskController --resource
Add to routes/web.php:
Route::get('/', [TaskController::class, 'index'])->name('tasks.index');
Route::resource('tasks', TaskController::class)->except(['show','edit']);
Create the Blade View
mkdir resources/views/tasks
touch resources/views/tasks/index.blade.php
Build your Blade UI using Laravel Blade syntax and Tailwind.
Common Mistake
A very common beginner mistake is forgetting to match the HTTP method. For example, submitting a form with POST while your route expects PUT. Laravel will return either 404 or 405 errors.
Using PUT, PATCH, DELETE?
HTML forms only support GET and POST. Laravel allows method spoofing using:
@method('PUT')
@method('PATCH')
@method('DELETE')
Always include @csrf when submitting forms.
Why does Laravel show 404 when route exists?
Common reasons:
- Wrong HTTP method
- Route cached but not updated
- Incorrect route name
- URL mismatch
How do I fix Method Not Allowed in Laravel?
This happens when your route exists but does not accept the HTTP method being sent. Check your route definition and your form method.
php artisan route:list
What does php artisan route:list do?
It displays all registered routes including:
- HTTP Method
- URI
- Route Name
- Controller
This command is essential for debugging routing problems.
Why do routes break after deployment?
Usually due to cached configuration.
php artisan config:clear
php artisan route:clear
php artisan cache:clear
After clearing cache, test again.
Conclusion
You now understand how to build a simple Laravel application and how to debug common routing mistakes. Laravel 11 remains one of the most powerful frameworks in 2025. Keep building.