Create REST API in Laravel Step-by-Step (Complete Guide)

Introduction

REST APIs are the backbone of modern applications such as mobile apps, SPAs, and third-party integrations. Laravel makes API development clean, secure, and scalable.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a REST API in Laravel from scratch, including:

• API routes
• Controllers
• Validation
• JSON responses
• CRUD operations
• Best practices

What is a REST API?

REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style that uses HTTP methods:

Step 1: Install Laravel

Create a new Laravel project:

composer create-project laravel/laravel laravel-api

Move into the project directory:

cd laravel-api

Start the server:

php artisan serve

Step 2: Configure Database

Edit your .env file:

DB_DATABASE=laravel_api
DB_USERNAME=root
DB_PASSWORD=

Run migrations:

php artisan migrate

Step 3: Create Model & Migration

We’ll create a Post API example.

php artisan make:model Post -m

Edit migration file:

Schema::create('posts', function (Blueprint $table) {
    $table->id();
    $table->string('title');
    $table->text('description');
    $table->timestamps();
});

Run migration:

php artisan migrate

Step 4: Create API Controller

php artisan make:controller API/PostController

Step 5: Define API Routes

Open routes/api.php:

use App\Http\Controllers\API\PostController;

Route::get('/posts', [PostController::class, 'index']);
Route::post('/posts', [PostController::class, 'store']);
Route::get('/posts/{id}', [PostController::class, 'show']);
Route::put('/posts/{id}', [PostController::class, 'update']);
Route::delete('/posts/{id}', [PostController::class, 'destroy']);

All routes under api.php are prefixed with /api

Step 6: Build Controller Logic

Open PostController.php:

use App\Models\Post;
use Illuminate\Http\Request;

class PostController extends Controller
{
    public function index()
    {
        return response()->json(Post::all(), 200);
    }

    public function store(Request $request)
    {
        $validated = $request->validate([
            'title' => 'required',
            'description' => 'required',
        ]);

        $post = Post::create($validated);

        return response()->json($post, 201);
    }

    public function show($id)
    {
        return response()->json(Post::findOrFail($id), 200);
    }

    public function update(Request $request, $id)
    {
        $post = Post::findOrFail($id);

        $post->update($request->all());

        return response()->json($post, 200);
    }

    public function destroy($id)
    {
        Post::destroy($id);

        return response()->json(['message' => 'Post deleted'], 200);
    }
}

Step 7: Allow Mass Assignment

Edit Post.php model:

protected $fillable = ['title', 'description'];

Step 8: Test API Using Postman

Create Post (POST)

POST /api/posts

{
  "title": "Laravel REST API",
  "description": "Step-by-step tutorial" 
}

Get Posts (GET)

GET /api/posts

Update Post (PUT)

PUT /api/posts/1

Delete Post (DELETE)

DELETE /api/posts/1
 

Clone Laravel Project from GitHub

Open terminal and run:

git clone https://github.com/Yash000p/REST-API-in-Laravel.git