Last checked and updated on 13 Jun 2026
What Is New in Laravel 5.8
Laravel 5.8 brings a set of foundational updates, from a new Eloquent relationship to a shift in underlying dependencies. This release focuses on refining the developer experience with more robust tools.
| Category | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| New Features | Eloquent HasOneThrough relationship, Auto-Discovery for Traits, Carbon 2.0, PHPDoc generation |
| Improvements | Cache TTL in seconds, Artisan::call arguments, Artisan serve improvements, Multiple Broadcast Drivers |
| Deprecations & Changes | Array and String Helpers deprecated, PHPUnit 8.0, Dotenv 3.0, Predis 1.1, Email Verification |
What new Eloquent relationships were introduced?
The standout addition is the Eloquent HasOneThrough relationship. This allows you to link a model through a single intermediate model, which is useful for scenarios where a direct relationship isn't possible.
In practice, you might use this to access a supplier's history through a user account. The syntax is clean and follows the established Laravel relationship patterns, making it intuitive to implement.
class Supplier extends Model
{
public function userHistory()
{
return $this->hasOneThrough(History::class, User::class);
}
}How has package auto-discovery been improved?
Auto-discovery now extends to traits, not just service providers and facades. This means packages can automatically register their traits without requiring any manual setup in your application.
This matters because it removes another small bit of friction when installing packages. You get the functionality you need without having to remember to add another line to a config file.
What are the key dependency updates?
Laravel 5.8 bumps several core dependencies. It now requires PHPUnit 8.0 for testing, uses vlucas/phpdotenv ^3.0, and upgrades to Predis 1.1 for Redis operations.
The most noticeable change for developers is the Carbon 2.0 integration. This update brings a more consistent and improved date handling API, which is crucial for any application dealing with timezones and date manipulation.
How is caching handled differently?
The cache()->remember() method and related functions now accept the Time-To-Live (TTL) in seconds instead of minutes. This provides much finer control over how long items are stored in the cache.
This is a breaking change. If your code passes integers to these methods, you'll need to update the values from minutes to seconds. Using a DateTimeInterface instance remains unchanged.
What helpers were deprecated?
The global array_ and str_ helper functions have been deprecated. You should transition to using the methods available on the Arr and Str facades instead.
For example, replace str_slug() with Str::slug(). This change pushes the framework towards a more object-oriented style and avoids global namespace pollution.
FAQ
Is the cache TTL change in Laravel 5.8 a breaking change?
Yes. If your application code passes an integer to cache methods like remember, it is now interpreted as seconds, not minutes. You must review and update all integer-based TTL values.
How do I generate PHPDocs for my Eloquent models in 5.8?
Use the new php artisan ide-helper:generate command. This will create a file that provides accurate autocompletion and type hints for your model properties and relationships in supported IDEs.
What should I use instead of the deprecated global string and array helpers?
Use the corresponding methods on the Illuminate\Support\Str and Illuminate\Support\Arr classes. For example, use Str::slug() instead of str_slug().
Does Laravel 5.8 require a new version of PHP?
It requires PHP >= 7.1.3. The upgrade to dependencies like PHPUnit 8.0 also means your development and testing environment needs to be compatible with these new versions.
How do I use the new HasOneThrough relationship?
Define it in your Eloquent model like any other relationship. The method should return the result of the $this->hasOneThrough() method, specifying the final model and the intermediate model as arguments.