OI Laravel Seeds

OI Laravel Seeds is a Laravel package that enables you to export and import database seeders to and from JSON files with automatic dependency management.

The Problem

Managing seed data in traditional Laravel seeders can be challenging:

• Seed data is written in PHP code, making it hard to version separately from logic
• Complex seeder dependencies require manual ordering
• There's no easy way to export current database state as seed data
• Updating seed data requires modifying PHP code and remembering the correct structure

The Solution

OI Laravel Seeds solves these problems by allowing you to:

• Export database records to JSON files using a simple command
• Import seed data from JSON with automatic upserting (update or create)
• Manage dependencies automatically with topological sorting
• Version seed data alongside your code without touching PHP seeder logic
• Filter sensitive data from exports using customizable attribute filtering

Key Features

ExportableSeeder Trait

Add the ExportableSeeder trait to any Laravel Seeder class. The trait handles all export/import logic automatically.

Topological Dependency Sorting

Define seeder dependencies, and the package automatically orders them correctly using depth-first topological sort. Circular dependencies are detected and reported.

Upsert Logic

Data is imported using Laravel's updateOrCreate() method. Specify which columns are unique identifiers, and all other columns are updated on match.

Exportable Attribute Filtering

Override getExportableAttributes() to remove sensitive fields like passwords, API keys, or tokens from exports.

Multiple Models Per Seeder

A single seeder can handle multiple models with separate JSON files for each.

Requirements

• PHP: 8.2 or higher
• Laravel: 11.0 or higher

What's Next?

• Installation — Get up and running in minutes
• Configuration — Configure storage location and defaults
• The ExportableSeeder Trait — Learn the core API
• Commands — Master the Artisan commands