How to Check Laravel Project Version Installed in CMD?

Do you develop Laravel projects regularly? If so, you might eventually forget what version you used while developing the application.

Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting with Laravel, knowing how to quickly and accurately determine your project’s version is essential.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to check your Laravel version using the command line interface (CLI). We’ll cover several applicable techniques across different operating systems and environments to ensure you can access this vital information regardless of your development setup.

By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with multiple reliable ways to find your Laravel version, enabling you to make informed decisions about updates and troubleshooting.

Let’s dive in!

What is Laravel?

Laravel is a powerful, open-source PHP web application framework designed to make web development more efficient and enjoyable. It offers a wide range of built-in tools and libraries that simplify common tasks such as routing, authentication, caching, and database management.

Suggested read: Laravel Octane – What It Is, Why It Matters & Getting Started 

Understanding Laravel’s Version Numbering

Laravel follows semantic versioning (SemVer), which uses a three-part version number: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH.

1. MAJOR version changes indicate incompatible API changes
2. MINOR version changes add functionality in a backward-compatible manner
3. PATCH version changes make backwards-compatible bug fixes

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Importance of Knowing Your Laravel Version

Understanding which version of Laravel you’re using is crucial for several reasons:

1. Security updates: Older versions may have security vulnerabilities.
2. Feature availability: Newer versions introduce new features and improvements.
3. Compatibility: Some packages or dependencies may require specific Laravel versions.
4. Upgrade planning: Knowing your current version helps in planning upgrades.

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How to Check the Laravel Version

Laravel provides several methods to check its version. Here are five different approaches you can use:

Method 1: How to Check Laravel Version Using Artisan Commands

1. Open Your Command Line Interface (CLI)

Open your preferred terminal or command prompt application. If your application is hosted on a server, you must connect to it via SSH.

2. Navigate to Your Laravel Project Directory

Use the cd command to navigate to your Laravel project’s root directory. For example:

cd /path/to/your/laravel/project

3. Run the Laravel Version Command

Execute the following Artisan command in your terminal:

php artisan --version

This command will display the current Laravel version installed in your project.

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Method 2: How to Check the Laravel Framework Application File

1. Locate the composer.json File

Find the composer.json file in your Laravel project’s root directory. RunCloud users can access the source code of their web applications directly from the RunCloud dashboard using a user-friendly interface. Click “File Manager” on the left menu and select the file you want to open.

2. Open the composer.json File

Open the composer.json file using a text editor of your choice.

3. Find the Laravel Version Information

Look for the “require” section in the composer.json file. You’ll find the Laravel framework version listed there like this:

"require": {
    "laravel/framework": "^8.0"
}

Alternatively, you can use command line utilities such as grep to filter and view the file’s contents. For example, you can run the following command to view the Laravel version:

grep laravel/framework composer.json

Suggested read: How To Configure LSCache for Laravel (Configuration Guide) 

Method 3: How to Check Laravel Version Using Composer

1. Open Your Command Line Interface (CLI)

Open your terminal or command prompt. Once again, if your web application is hosted on a server, you must log in via SSH.

2. Navigate to Your Laravel Project Directory

Use the cd command to navigate to your Laravel project’s root directory.

3. Run the Composer Show Command

Execute the following Composer command:

composer show laravel/framework

This command will display detailed information about the Laravel framework, including its version.

Method 4: How to Check Laravel Version in a Web Browser

1. Create a Route to Display Version

Open your routes/web.php file and add the following code snippet at the bottom of the file:

Route::get('/laravel-version', function () {
    return 'Laravel Version: ' . app()->version();
});

After adding the above code snippet, save and close the file. Remember, if you are using RunCloud, you can easily edit your website’s source code via the dashboard.

2. Access the Route in a Browser

Visit http://your-app-url/laravel-version in your web browser. You’ll see the Laravel version displayed.

3. Remove the Route After Use

For security reasons, remember to remove this route after checking the version.

Suggested read: The 10 Best PHP Frameworks (Complete Guide) 

Method 5: How to Check Laravel Version Using Laravel Tinker

1. Open Your Command Line Interface (CLI)

Open your terminal or command prompt. As we mentioned earlier, if your application is hosted on a server, you must connect to it via SSH.

2. Navigate to Your Laravel Project Directory

Use the cd command to navigate to your Laravel project’s root directory.

3. Start Laravel Tinker

Run the following command to start Laravel Tinker:

php artisan tinker

4. Check the Version

In the Tinker console, enter the following command:

app()->version();

This will display the current Laravel version.

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Wrapping Up

As we’ve explored throughout this guide, Laravel is a powerful and versatile framework that offers numerous methods to check and manage its version. While Laravel provides excellent tools for development, managing Laravel applications in production environments can sometimes be challenging.

This is where RunCloud comes in to simplify your Laravel deployment and management processes.

RunCloud is a powerful web server control panel that makes it incredibly easy to deploy, manage, and scale Laravel applications.

With RunCloud, you can:

1. Quickly deploy Laravel applications with just a few clicks.
2. Automatically configure your server for optimal Laravel performance.
3. Manage multiple Laravel versions across different projects.
4. Automate Laravel updates and maintenance tasks.
5. Monitor your Laravel applications’ health and performance.
6. Implement robust security measures to protect your Laravel sites.

Using RunCloud, you can focus more on developing your Laravel applications and less on server management and deployment intricacies.

Whether you’re a solo developer or part of a larger team, RunCloud streamlines your workflow and enhances your productivity.

Ready to Simplify Your Laravel Management?

Don’t let server management complexities slow down your Laravel development. Sign up for RunCloud today and experience the ease of managing your Laravel applications in a user-friendly, efficient environment.

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