# Laravel Modularization: Packages and Approach

> Snapshot date: 2026-02-24
> Scope: Splitting a Laravel application into modules inside one codebase (modular monolith), not microservices.

## Practical approach (incremental, low risk)

1. Pick one vertical slice first (for example: `Billing`, `Catalog`, `Orders`).
2. Move code by feature, not by layer:
   - Routes, controllers, requests, policies, views, jobs, listeners, tests.
3. Keep a small `Shared` or `Common` area and treat it as a strict dependency boundary.
4. Expose module behavior through clear interfaces (application services, actions, events), not direct class reach-through.
5. Move one module at a time and run tests after each move.
6. Only after 2 to 3 successful modules, standardize scaffolding and conventions.

## Package shortlist

| Package | Current signal | Compatibility signal | Best fit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [`nwidart/laravel-modules`](https://packagist.org/packages/nwidart/laravel-modules) | v12.0.4 (2025-06-29), ~14.1M downloads, 6.1k favorites | README maps Laravel 12 -> package 12.x; PHP >=8.2 | Default choice for most teams | Most adopted option; strong ecosystem; uses `wikimedia/composer-merge-plugin` for module autoload merge. |
| [`internachi/modular`](https://packagist.org/packages/internachi/modular) | 3.0.1 (2026-02-06), ~606k downloads, 1.1k favorites | `illuminate/support ^11|^12`, PHP >=8.3 | Laravel-convention-first modular monolith | Uses Composer path repositories + package discovery; lightweight and clean if you do not need runtime enable/disable modules. |
| [`zonneplan/laravel-module-loader`](https://packagist.org/packages/zonneplan/laravel-module-loader) | v6.0.2 (2025-12-15), ~116k downloads | `illuminate/* ^11||^12`, PHP ^8.2 | Minimal module loader | Lightweight loader pattern, fewer ecosystem integrations than `nwidart`. |
| [`coolsam/modules`](https://packagist.org/packages/coolsam/modules) | v5.1.0 (2026-01-26), ~87k downloads | Depends on `nwidart ^11|^12`, `filament/filament ^4|^5`, PHP ^8.3 | Filament-heavy modular apps | Wrapper to make module-first Filament workflows easier. |
| [`spatie/laravel-package-tools`](https://packagist.org/packages/spatie/laravel-package-tools) | 1.93.0 (2026-02-21), ~119M downloads | `illuminate/contracts ^10|^11|^12|^13`, PHP ^8.1 | Internal package strategy | Not a module system itself; great when each module becomes an internal Composer package. |

## Probably avoid for Laravel 12+

- [`caffeinated/modules`](https://packagist.org/packages/caffeinated/modules): latest stable v6.3.1 (2021-03-26), requires `illuminate/support ^6|^7|^8`.
- [`pingpong/modules`](https://packagist.org/packages/pingpong/modules): legacy ancestor, last meaningful activity is old and Laravel constraints are outdated.

## Recommendation by scenario

- If you want the safest default: use `nwidart/laravel-modules`.
- If you prefer strict Laravel package conventions and you are on PHP 8.3+: use `internachi/modular`.
- If Filament is central: use `nwidart/laravel-modules` + `coolsam/modules`.
- If long-term extraction into reusable packages is expected: combine your module approach with `spatie/laravel-package-tools`.

## Quick proof-of-concept plan

1. Create branch: `chore/modularization-poc`.
2. Install one candidate package.
3. Create one real module (`Billing` or equivalent).
4. Move one endpoint + one background job + one policy + one test suite into that module.
5. Verify:
   - `php artisan route:list`
   - migrations load correctly
   - test suite still passes
   - no circular dependencies to/from other domains
6. Estimate complexity before scaling to all domains.

## Reference links

- `nwidart/laravel-modules`: https://github.com/nWidart/laravel-modules
- `nwidart` docs: https://laravelmodules.com/docs/12
- `internachi/modular`: https://github.com/InterNACHI/modular
- `zonneplan/laravel-module-loader`: https://github.com/zonneplan/laravel-module-loader
- `coolsam/modules`: https://github.com/savannabits/filament-modules
- `spatie/laravel-package-tools`: https://github.com/spatie/laravel-package-tools
- Packagist search (Laravel modules): https://packagist.org/search/?q=laravel%20modules