Laravel Actions

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);

shouldRun()

• Shortcut for mock()->shouldReceive('handle').
• Best for compact orchestration assertions.

PublishArticle::shouldRun()->once()->with(42)->andReturnTrue();

shouldNotRun()

• Shortcut for mock()->shouldNotReceive('handle').
• Best for guard-clause tests and branch coverage.

PublishArticle::shouldNotRun();

allowToRun()

• Shortcut for spy + allowing handle.
• Best when you want execution to proceed but still assert interaction.

$spy = PublishArticle::allowToRun()->andReturnTrue();
// ...
$spy->shouldHaveReceived('handle')->once();

isFake() and clearFake()

• isFake() checks whether the class is currently swapped.
• clearFake() resets the fake and prevents cross-test leakage.

expect(PublishArticle::isFake())->toBeFalse();
PublishArticle::mock();
expect(PublishArticle::isFake())->toBeTrue();
PublishArticle::clearFake();
expect(PublishArticle::isFake())->toBeFalse();

Recommended test matrix for Actions

• Business rule test: call handle(...) directly with real dependencies/factories.
• HTTP wiring test: hit route/controller, fake downstream actions with shouldRun or shouldNotRun.
• Job wiring test: dispatch action as job, assert expected downstream action calls.
• Event listener test: dispatch event, assert action interaction via fake/spy.
• Console test: run artisan command, assert action invocation and output.

Practical defaults

• Prefer shouldRun() and shouldNotRun() for readability in branch tests.
• Prefer spy()/allowToRun() when behavior is mostly real and you only need call verification.
• Prefer mock() when interaction contracts are strict and should fail fast.
• Use clearFake() in cleanup when a fake might leak into another test.
• Keep side effects isolated: fake only the action under test boundary, not everything.

Pest style examples

it('dispatches the downstream action', function () {
    SendInvoiceEmail::shouldRun()->once()->withArgs(fn (int $invoiceId) => $invoiceId > 0);

    FinalizeInvoice::run(123);
});

it('does not dispatch when invoice is already sent', function () {
    SendInvoiceEmail::shouldNotRun();

    FinalizeInvoice::run(123, alreadySent: true);
});

Run the minimum relevant suite first, e.g. php artisan test --compact --filter=PublishArticle or by specific test file.

Troubleshooting Checklist

• Ensure the class uses AsAction and namespace matches autoload.
• Check route registration when used as controller.
• Check queue config when using dispatch.
• Verify event-to-listener mapping in EventServiceProvider.
• Keep transport concerns in adapter methods (asController, asCommand, etc.), not in handle(...).

Common Pitfalls

• Putting HTTP response/redirect logic inside handle(...) instead of asController(...).
• Duplicating business rules across as* methods rather than delegating to handle(...).
• Assuming listener wiring works without explicit registration where required.
• Testing only entrypoints and skipping direct handle(...) behavior tests.
• Overusing Actions for one-off, single-context logic with no reuse pressure.

Topic References

Use these references for deep dives by entrypoint/topic. Keep SKILL.md focused on workflow and decision rules.

• Object entrypoint: references/object.md
• Controller entrypoint: references/controller.md
• Job entrypoint: references/job.md
• Listener entrypoint: references/listener.md
• Command entrypoint: references/command.md
• With attributes: references/with-attributes.md
• Testing and fakes: references/testing-fakes.md
• Troubleshooting: references/troubleshooting.md37:["$","$L40",null,{"content":"$41","frontMatter":{"name":"laravel-actions","description":"Build, refactor, and troubleshoot Laravel Actions using lorisleiva/laravel-actions. Use when implementing reusable action classes (object/controller/job/listener/command), converting service classes/controllers/jobs into actions, orchestrating workflows via faked actions, or debugging action entrypoints and wiring."}}]