Laravel Repository Pattern

A flexible and powerful Laravel package that implements the Repository Pattern with built-in support for CRUD operations, filtering, sorting, pagination, eager loading, and soft deletes.

Features

• Clean Architecture: Separation of concerns with trait-based composition
• Automatic CRUD: Pre-built create, read, update, and delete operations
• Smart Filtering: Request-driven filtering with custom filter hooks
• Sorting & Pagination: Built-in support for sorting and pagination
• Eager Loading: Control relationship loading via request parameters
• Soft Delete Support: Full support for Laravel's soft deletes with trash management
• Lifecycle Hooks: Extensible hooks for custom logic (onCreated, onUpdated, onDeleted, etc.)
• Transaction Safety: Automatic database transaction wrapping for write operations
• Artisan Command: Generate repositories quickly with make:repository command

Requirements

• PHP 8.1 or higher
• Laravel 12.0 or higher

Installation

Install the package via Composer:

composer require cariuk/laravel-repository-pattern

The service provider will be automatically registered.

Quick Start

1. Generate a Repository

Use the Artisan command to generate a repository for your model:

php artisan make:repository UserRepository User

This will create app/Repositories/UserRepository.php:

<?php

namespace App\Repositories;

use App\Models\User;
use RepositoryPatternLaravel\Repository;

class UserRepository extends Repository
{
    protected $fillable = [];

    public function __construct()
    {
        $this->model = User::class;
    }
}

If your model uses SoftDeletes, the command will automatically extend RepositorySoftDelete instead.

2. Configure the Repository

<?php

namespace App\Repositories;

use App\Models\User;
use Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Builder;
use Illuminate\Http\Request;
use RepositoryPatternLaravel\Repository;

class UserRepository extends Repository
{
    // Fillable fields for create/update operations
    protected $fillable = ['name', 'email', 'password'];

    // Enable pagination (default: true)
    protected $paginationable = true;

    // Items per page (default: 10)
    protected $paginatePerPage = 15;

    // Allow sorting (default: true)
    protected $sortable = true;

    // Allowed fields for sorting
    protected $sortAllowedFields = ['id', 'name', 'email', 'created_at'];

    // Default sort field
    protected $defaultSortField = 'created_at';

    // Default sort direction (default: false)
    protected $defaultSortDescending = true;

    // Enable eager loading (default: false)
    protected $relationable = true;

    // Allowed relationships to load
    protected $relationAllowed = ['posts', 'profile', 'roles'];

    public function __construct()
    {
        $this->model = User::class;
    }

    /**
     * Apply custom filters to the query
     */
    protected function applyFilter(Request $request, Builder &$builder): void
    {
        // Search by name or email
        if ($request->filled('search')) {
            $builder->where(function($query) use ($request) {
                $query->where('name', 'like', '%' . $request->search . '%')
                      ->orWhere('email', 'like', '%' . $request->search . '%');
            });
        }

        // Filter by status
        if ($request->filled('status')) {
            $builder->where('status', $request->status);
        }

        // Filter by role
        if ($request->filled('role')) {
            $builder->whereHas('roles', function($query) use ($request) {
                $query->where('name', $request->role);
            });
        }

        // Date range filter
        if ($request->filled('from_date')) {
            $builder->where('created_at', '>=', $request->from_date);
        }

        if ($request->filled('to_date')) {
            $builder->where('created_at', '<=', $request->to_date);
        }
    }
}

3. Use in Controllers

<?php

namespace App\Http\Controllers;

use App\Http\Requests\UserStoreRequest;
use App\Http\Requests\UserUpdateRequest;
use App\Repositories\UserRepository;
use Illuminate\Http\Request;

class UserController extends Controller
{
    public function __construct(
        protected UserRepository $repository
    ) {}

    /**
     * Display a listing of users
     */
    public function index(Request $request)
    {
        $users = $this->repository->getList($request);
        return response()->json($users);
    }

    /**
     * Display a specific user
     */
    public function show(Request $request, int $id)
    {
        $user = $this->repository->getDetail($request, $id);
        return response()->json($user);
    }

    /**
     * Create a new user
     */
    public function store(UserStoreRequest $request)
    {
        $user = $this->repository->create($request);
        return response()->json($user, 201);
    }

    /**
     * Update an existing user
     */
    public function update(UserUpdateRequest $request, int $id)
    {
        $user = $this->repository->update($request, $id);
        return response()->json($user);
    }

    /**
     * Delete a user
     */
    public function destroy(Request $request, int $id)
    {
        $this->repository->delete($request, $id);
        return response()->json(['message' => 'User deleted successfully']);
    }
}

API Reference

Available Methods

Reading Operations

// Get paginated/collection list
$users = $repository->getList($request);

// Get single record by ID
$user = $repository->getDetail($request, $id);

// Get single record with custom query modifier
$user = $repository->getDetail($request, $id, function(Builder &$builder) {
    $builder->where('status', 'active');
});

Creation & Update Operations

// Create a new record
$user = $repository->create($request);

// Create with array data
$user = $repository->create([
    'name' => 'John Doe',
    'email' => '[email protected]',
]);

// Update existing record
$user = $repository->update($request, $id);

// Update with custom query modifier
$user = $repository->update($request, $id, function(Builder &$builder) {
    $builder->where('company_id', auth()->user()->company_id);
});

Deletion Operations

// Delete a record
$repository->delete($request, $id);

// Delete with custom query modifier
$repository->delete($request, $id, function(Builder &$builder) {
    $builder->where('created_by', auth()->id());
});

Soft Delete Operations (only for RepositorySoftDelete)

// Get trashed records
$trashedUsers = $repository->getTrashList($request);

// Force delete permanently
$repository->forceDelete($request, $id);

// Restore soft-deleted record
$user = $repository->restore($request, $id);

Request Parameters

Control repository behavior via URL query parameters:

# Pagination
GET /users?page=2&limit=20

# Sorting
GET /users?sort=name&descending=true

# Eager loading
GET /users?with=posts,profile

# Custom filters (defined in applyFilter method)
GET /users?search=john&status=active&role=admin

# Combine multiple parameters
GET /users?page=1&limit=15&sort=created_at&descending=true&with=posts&search=john

Advanced Usage

Lifecycle Hooks

Override these methods to add custom logic at different stages:

class UserRepository extends Repository
{
    /**
     * Called after a record is created
     */
    protected function onCreated(FormRequest|array $request, Model $object): void
    {
        // Send welcome email
        Mail::to($object->email)->send(new WelcomeEmail($object));

        // Log activity
        activity()
            ->performedOn($object)
            ->log('User created');
    }

    /**
     * Called after a record is updated
     */
    protected function onUpdated(FormRequest $request, Model $object): void
    {
        // Invalidate cache
        Cache::forget("user.{$object->id}");
    }

    /**
     * Called after create or update
     */
    protected function onSaved(FormRequest|array $request, Model $object): void
    {
        // Sync relationships
        if (is_object($request) && $request->has('roles')) {
            $object->roles()->sync($request->roles);
        }
    }

    /**
     * Called after a record is deleted
     */
    protected function onDeleted(Request $request, Model $object): void
    {
        // Clean up related files
        Storage::delete($object->avatar);
    }

    /**
     * Called after a record is force deleted (soft delete only)
     */
    protected function onForceDeleted(Request $request, Model $object): void
    {
        // Permanent cleanup
        $object->posts()->forceDelete();
    }

    /**
     * Called after a record is restored (soft delete only)
     */
    protected function onRestored(Request $request, Model $object): void
    {
        // Restore related data
        $object->posts()->restore();
    }
}

Custom Data Processing

class UserRepository extends Repository
{
    /**
     * Modify data before saving
     */
    public function getDataSave(array $data, $action): array
    {
        // Hash password if present
        if (isset($data['password'])) {
            $data['password'] = bcrypt($data['password']);
        }

        // Add metadata
        if ($action === 'create') {
            $data['created_by'] = auth()->id();
        }

        if ($action === 'update') {
            $data['updated_by'] = auth()->id();
        }

        return $data;
    }

    /**
     * Different fillable fields for different operations
     */
    protected function getFillable($method = null)
    {
        if ($method === 'create') {
            return ['name', 'email', 'password', 'role_id'];
        }

        if ($method === 'update') {
            // Don't allow changing email on update
            return ['name', 'role_id'];
        }

        return $this->fillable;
    }
}

Using Query Modifiers

Query modifiers allow you to add custom conditions to queries:

// In your controller or service
public function getUsersByCompany(Request $request, int $companyId, int $userId)
{
    return $this->repository->getDetail($request, $userId, function(Builder &$builder) use ($companyId) {
        $builder->where('company_id', $companyId)
                ->where('status', 'active');
    });
}

// Skip default filters
public function getAdminUser(Request $request, int $id)
{
    return $this->repository->getDetail(
        $request,
        $id,
        skipDefaultFilter: true // Skip applyFilter method
    );
}

Working with Relationships

class PostRepository extends Repository
{
    protected $relationable = true;
    protected $relationAllowed = ['author', 'comments', 'tags'];

    public function __construct()
    {
        $this->model = Post::class;
    }

    /**
     * Load nested relationships
     */
    protected function applyFilter(Request $request, Builder &$builder): void
    {
        // This will be combined with ?with=author,comments
        // to load relationships efficiently
    }
}

// Usage in controller
GET /posts?with=author,comments.user,tags

Disable Pagination

class UserRepository extends Repository
{
    protected $paginationable = true;
    protected $optionalPagination = true; // Allow disabling pagination

    // ...
}

// Request without pagination
GET /users?paginate=false

Configuration Options

| Property | Type | Default | Description | |----------|------|---------|-------------| | $fillable | array | [] | Allowed fields for mass assignment | | $paginationable | bool | true | Enable/disable pagination | | $optionalPagination | bool | false | Allow pagination to be disabled via request | | $paginatePerPage | int | 10 | Default number of items per page | | $sortable | bool | true | Enable/disable sorting | | $sortAllowedFields | array | ['id'] | Fields allowed for sorting | | $defaultSortField | string\|null | null | Default field to sort by | | $defaultSortDescending | bool | false | Default sort direction | | $relationable | bool | false | Enable/disable eager loading | | $relationAllowed | array | [] | Relationships allowed to be loaded |

Best Practices

1. Keep Repositories Focused

Each repository should handle one model:

// Good
class UserRepository extends Repository { }
class PostRepository extends Repository { }

// Avoid
class UserPostRepository extends Repository { }

2. Use Form Requests for Validation

// Good
public function store(UserStoreRequest $request)
{
    return $this->repository->create($request);
}

// Avoid validating in repository

3. Implement Service Layer for Complex Logic

class UserService
{
    public function __construct(
        protected UserRepository $userRepository,
        protected RoleRepository $roleRepository,
        protected NotificationService $notificationService
    ) {}

    public function createUserWithRole(array $data)
    {
        DB::beginTransaction();
        try {
            $user = $this->userRepository->create($data);
            $role = $this->roleRepository->getDetail(request(), $data['role_id']);
            $user->roles()->attach($role);

            $this->notificationService->sendWelcomeEmail($user);

            DB::commit();
            return $user;
        } catch (\Exception $e) {
            DB::rollBack();
            throw $e;
        }
    }
}

4. Use Type Hints

// Good
public function getUserPosts(int $userId): Collection
{
    return $this->repository->getDetail(request(), $userId)->posts;
}

// Avoid
public function getUserPosts($userId)
{
    return $this->repository->getDetail(request(), $userId)->posts;
}

5. Cache Frequently Accessed Data

class UserRepository extends Repository
{
    public function getDetail(Request $request, $id, \Closure $modifier = null, $skipDefaultFilter = false): Model
    {
        return Cache::remember("user.{$id}", 3600, function() use ($request, $id, $modifier, $skipDefaultFilter) {
            return parent::getDetail($request, $id, $modifier, $skipDefaultFilter);
        });
    }

    protected function onUpdated(FormRequest $request, Model $object): void
    {
        Cache::forget("user.{$object->id}");
    }
}

Testing

use Tests\TestCase;
use App\Repositories\UserRepository;
use App\Models\User;
use Illuminate\Foundation\Testing\RefreshDatabase;

class UserRepositoryTest extends TestCase
{
    use RefreshDatabase;

    protected UserRepository $repository;

    protected function setUp(): void
    {
        parent::setUp();
        $this->repository = new UserRepository();
    }

    public function test_can_create_user()
    {
        $data = [
            'name' => 'John Doe',
            'email' => '[email protected]',
            'password' => 'password123',
        ];

        $user = $this->repository->create($data);

        $this->assertInstanceOf(User::class, $user);
        $this->assertEquals('John Doe', $user->name);
        $this->assertDatabaseHas('users', ['email' => '[email protected]']);
    }

    public function test_can_get_paginated_list()
    {
        User::factory()->count(25)->create();

        $request = request();
        $result = $this->repository->getList($request);

        $this->assertInstanceOf(\Illuminate\Pagination\LengthAwarePaginator::class, $result);
        $this->assertEquals(10, $result->perPage());
        $this->assertEquals(25, $result->total());
    }

    public function test_can_filter_users()
    {
        User::factory()->create(['name' => 'John Doe', 'status' => 'active']);
        User::factory()->create(['name' => 'Jane Doe', 'status' => 'inactive']);

        $request = request()->merge(['status' => 'active']);
        $result = $this->repository->getList($request);

        $this->assertEquals(1, $result->total());
        $this->assertEquals('active', $result->first()->status);
    }
}

Troubleshooting

Transaction Deadlocks

If you experience transaction deadlocks with nested repositories:

// Instead of calling repositories inside hooks
protected function onCreated(FormRequest $request, Model $object): void
{
    // Avoid - may cause deadlock
    $this->roleRepository->create(['user_id' => $object->id]);
}

// Use events or jobs
protected function onCreated(FormRequest $request, Model $object): void
{
    // Better - dispatched after transaction commits
    CreateDefaultRole::dispatch($object);
}

Memory Issues with Large Datasets

For large datasets, disable pagination carefully:

// Use chunking instead
$this->repository->getBuilder()
    ->chunk(1000, function($users) {
        foreach ($users as $user) {
            // Process user
        }
    });

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

License

This package is open-sourced software licensed under the MIT license.

Credits

Developed and maintained by Cariuk

Support

If you discover any security vulnerabilities, please email us instead of using the issue tracker.

For general questions and issues, please use the GitHub issue tracker.