20 KiB
description
| description |
|---|
| PHP + Alpine.js SPA-like Application Pattern (CodeIgniter 4 + DaisyUI) |
PHP + Alpine.js Application Pattern
This workflow describes how to build web applications using PHP (CodeIgniter 4) for backend with Alpine.js + DaisyUI + TailwindCSS for frontend, creating an SPA-like experience with server-rendered views.
Philosophy
"No-nonsense" - Keep it simple, avoid over-engineering. This pattern gives you:
- Fast development with PHP backend
- Reactive UI with Alpine.js (no heavy framework overhead)
- Beautiful UI with DaisyUI/TailwindCSS
- JWT-based authentication
Technology Stack
| Layer | Technology |
|---|---|
| Backend | CodeIgniter 4 (PHP 8.1+) |
| Frontend | Alpine.js + DaisyUI 5 + TailwindCSS |
| Database | MySQL/MariaDB |
| Auth | JWT (stored in HTTP-only cookies) |
| Icons | FontAwesome 7 |
Project Structure
project/
├── app/
│ ├── Config/
│ │ └── Routes.php # All routes (pages + API)
│ ├── Controllers/
│ │ ├── BaseController.php # Base controller
│ │ ├── PagesController.php # Page routes (returns views)
│ │ └── [Resource]Controller.php # API controllers
│ ├── Models/
│ │ └── [Resource]Model.php # Database models
│ ├── Filters/
│ │ └── JwtAuthFilter.php # JWT authentication filter
│ └── Views/
│ ├── layout/
│ │ └── main_layout.php # Base layout with sidebar
│ ├── [module]/
│ │ ├── [module]_index.php # Main page with x-data
│ │ ├── dialog_[name].php # Modal dialogs (included)
│ │ └── drawer_[name].php # Drawer components
│ └── login.php
├── public/
│ ├── index.php
│ └── assets/
│ ├── css/output.css # Compiled TailwindCSS
│ └── js/app.js # Alpine.js setup
└── .env # Environment config
1. Backend Patterns
1.1 Routes Structure (app/Config/Routes.php)
Routes are split into:
- Public routes - Login, logout, auth check
- Protected page routes - Views (with
jwt-authfilter) - API routes - RESTful JSON endpoints
<?php
use CodeIgniter\Router\RouteCollection;
/** @var RouteCollection $routes */
// Public routes
$routes->get('/login', 'PagesController::login');
$routes->post('/login', 'AuthController::login');
$routes->get('/logout', 'AuthController::logout');
// Protected page routes (returns views)
$routes->group('', ['filter' => 'jwt-auth'], function ($routes) {
$routes->get('/', 'PagesController::dashboard');
$routes->get('/patients', 'PagesController::patients');
$routes->get('/requests', 'PagesController::requests');
// Master data pages
$routes->get('/master/doctors', 'PagesController::masterDoctors');
});
// API routes (returns JSON)
$routes->group('api', function ($routes) {
// Resource: patients
$routes->get('patients', 'PatientsController::index');
$routes->get('patients/(:num)', 'PatientsController::show/$1');
$routes->post('patients', 'PatientsController::create');
$routes->patch('patients/(:num)', 'PatientsController::update/$1');
// Resource: [resourceName]
// Follow same pattern: index, show, create, update
});
1.2 Pages Controller (app/Controllers/PagesController.php)
This controller ONLY returns views. No business logic.
<?php
namespace App\Controllers;
class PagesController extends BaseController {
public function dashboard() {
return view('dashboard', [
'pageTitle' => 'Dashboard',
'activePage' => 'dashboard'
]);
}
public function patients() {
return view('patients/patients_index', [
'pageTitle' => 'Patients',
'activePage' => 'patients'
]);
}
public function requests() {
return view('requests/requests_index', [
'pageTitle' => 'Lab Requests',
'activePage' => 'requests'
]);
}
}
1.3 API Controller Pattern (app/Controllers/[Resource]Controller.php)
API controllers handle CRUD operations and return JSON.
<?php
namespace App\Controllers;
use CodeIgniter\API\ResponseTrait;
use App\Controllers\BaseController;
use App\Models\PatientsModel;
class PatientsController extends BaseController {
use ResponseTrait;
protected $model;
protected $rules;
public function __construct() {
$this->model = new PatientsModel();
$this->rules = [
'firstName' => 'required|min_length[2]',
'lastName' => 'required|min_length[2]',
];
}
/**
* GET /api/patients
* List all with optional search
*/
public function index() {
$keyword = $this->request->getGet('keyword');
try {
$rows = $this->model->search($keyword);
return $this->respond([
'status' => 'success',
'message' => 'fetch success',
'data' => $rows
], 200);
} catch (\Exception $e) {
return $this->failServerError('Exception: ' . $e->getMessage());
}
}
/**
* GET /api/patients/:id
*/
public function show($id = null) {
try {
$row = $this->model->find($id);
if (empty($row)) {
return $this->respond(['status' => 'success', 'message' => 'not found'], 200);
}
return $this->respond(['status' => 'success', 'data' => $row], 200);
} catch (\Exception $e) {
return $this->failServerError('Error: ' . $e->getMessage());
}
}
/**
* POST /api/patients
*/
public function create() {
$input = $this->request->getJSON(true);
if (!$this->validateData($input, $this->rules)) {
return $this->failValidationErrors($this->validator->getErrors());
}
$input = camel_to_snake_array($input); // Convert keys to snake_case
try {
$id = $this->model->insert($input);
return $this->respondCreated([
'status' => 'success',
'message' => 'Created successfully',
'data' => ['id' => $id]
]);
} catch (\Exception $e) {
return $this->failServerError('Error: ' . $e->getMessage());
}
}
/**
* PATCH /api/patients/:id
*/
public function update($id = null) {
$input = $this->request->getJSON(true);
$input = camel_to_snake_array($input);
try {
$this->model->update($id, $input);
return $this->respond(['status' => 'success', 'message' => 'updated']);
} catch (\Exception $e) {
return $this->failServerError('Error: ' . $e->getMessage());
}
}
}
1.4 Standard API Response Format
Always return this structure:
{
"status": "success|error",
"message": "Human readable message",
"data": {} // or [] for lists
}
2. Frontend Patterns
2.1 Base Layout (app/Views/layout/main_layout.php)
The layout provides:
- Sidebar navigation with Alpine.js state
- Top navbar with user info
- Content section for page-specific content
- Script section for page-specific JavaScript
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en" data-theme="corporate">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>AppName</title>
<link href="<?=base_url();?>assets/css/output.css" rel="stylesheet" />
<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/7.0.1/js/all.min.js"></script>
</head>
<body class="h-screen flex bg-base-100">
<!-- Sidebar with Alpine.js -->
<aside
x-data="main({ activePage: '<?= esc($activePage ?? '') ?>' })"
class="w-56 bg-slate-900 text-white flex flex-col"
>
<!-- Navigation links -->
<nav class="px-3 py-2 space-y-1">
<a href="<?=base_url();?>"
class="flex items-center gap-3 px-3 py-2.5 rounded-lg"
:class="page === 'dashboard' ? 'bg-blue-600' : 'hover:bg-slate-700'"
>
<i class="fa-solid fa-th-large"></i>
<span>Dashboard</span>
</a>
<!-- More nav items... -->
</nav>
</aside>
<div class="flex-1 flex flex-col overflow-hidden">
<!-- Top Navbar -->
<nav class="bg-white border-b px-6 py-3">
<span class="font-semibold"><?= esc($pageTitle ?? 'Dashboard') ?></span>
</nav>
<!-- Page Content -->
<?= $this->renderSection('content') ?>
</div>
<script>
window.BASEURL = "<?=base_url();?>";
</script>
<?= $this->renderSection('script') ?>
</body>
</html>
2.2 Page View Pattern (app/Views/[module]/[module]_index.php)
Each page extends the layout and defines its Alpine.js component.
<?= $this->extend("layout/main_layout"); ?>
<?= $this->section("content") ?>
<main class="flex-1 p-6 overflow-auto bg-slate-50" x-data="patients()">
<!-- Page Header -->
<div class="flex justify-between items-center mb-6">
<div>
<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold text-slate-800">Patients</h1>
<p class="text-slate-500 text-sm mt-1">Manage patient records</p>
</div>
<button class="btn btn-sm bg-emerald-600 text-white" @click="showForm()">
<i class="fa-solid fa-plus"></i> New Patient
</button>
</div>
<!-- Search & Filter -->
<div class="bg-white rounded-xl border p-4 mb-6">
<input
type="text"
placeholder="Search..."
class="input input-bordered w-full max-w-md"
x-model="keyword"
@keyup.enter="fetchList()"
/>
<button class="btn btn-neutral" @click="fetchList()">Search</button>
</div>
<!-- Data List -->
<div class="bg-white rounded-xl border">
<template x-if="list && list.length > 0">
<template x-for="item in list" :key="item.patId">
<div class="p-4 border-b hover:bg-slate-50" @click="fetchItem(item.patId)">
<span x-text="item.firstName + ' ' + item.lastName"></span>
</div>
</template>
</template>
<template x-if="!list || list.length === 0">
<div class="p-8 text-center text-slate-400">
<p>No records found</p>
</div>
</template>
</div>
<!-- Include dialog components -->
<?php echo $this->include('[module]/dialog_form'); ?>
</main>
<?= $this->endSection(); ?>
<?= $this->section("script") ?>
<script type="module">
import Alpine from '<?= base_url('/assets/js/app.js'); ?>';
document.addEventListener('alpine:init', () => {
Alpine.data("patients", () => ({
// State
loading: false,
showModal: false,
errors: {},
// Data
list: null,
item: null,
keyword: "",
// Form
form: {
firstName: "",
lastName: "",
birthDate: "",
sex: "M"
},
// Lifecycle
async init() {
await this.fetchList();
},
// Fetch list
async fetchList() {
this.loading = true;
try {
const params = new URLSearchParams();
if (this.keyword) params.append('keyword', this.keyword);
const res = await fetch(`${BASEURL}api/patients?${params}`);
if (!res.ok) throw new Error("HTTP error");
const data = await res.json();
this.list = data.data;
} catch (err) {
console.error(err);
this.list = [];
} finally {
this.loading = false;
}
},
// Fetch single item
async fetchItem(id) {
this.loading = true;
try {
const res = await fetch(`${BASEURL}api/patients/${id}`);
const data = await res.json();
this.item = data.data;
} catch (err) {
console.error(err);
} finally {
this.loading = false;
}
},
// Form validation
validate() {
const e = {};
if (!this.form.firstName) e.firstName = "First name is required.";
if (!this.form.lastName) e.lastName = "Last name is required.";
this.errors = e;
return Object.keys(e).length === 0;
},
// Show form modal
showForm(id = null) {
this.showModal = true;
if (id) {
this.loadFormData(id);
} else {
this.form = { firstName: "", lastName: "", birthDate: "", sex: "M" };
}
},
// Load data for editing
async loadFormData(id) {
try {
const res = await fetch(`${BASEURL}api/patients/${id}`);
const data = await res.json();
this.form = data.data;
} catch (err) {
console.error(err);
}
},
closeModal() {
this.showModal = false;
this.errors = {};
},
// Save (create or update)
async save() {
if (!this.validate()) return;
try {
let res;
if (this.form.patId) {
res = await fetch(`${BASEURL}api/patients/${this.form.patId}`, {
method: 'PATCH',
headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
body: JSON.stringify(this.form)
});
} else {
res = await fetch(`${BASEURL}api/patients`, {
method: 'POST',
headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
body: JSON.stringify(this.form)
});
}
if (!res.ok) throw new Error("HTTP error");
const data = await res.json();
if (data.status === 'success') {
alert("Saved successfully!");
await this.fetchList();
} else {
alert(data.message || "Something went wrong.");
}
} catch (err) {
console.error(err);
alert("Failed to save.");
} finally {
this.closeModal();
}
}
}));
});
Alpine.start();
</script>
<?= $this->endSection(); ?>
2.3 Dialog Component Pattern (app/Views/[module]/dialog_form.php)
Dialogs are included in the main page and share x-data context.
<!-- Form Modal -->
<dialog id="form_modal" class="modal" :class="showModal && 'modal-open'">
<div class="modal-box w-11/12 max-w-2xl bg-white">
<h3 class="font-bold text-lg flex items-center gap-2">
<i class="fa-solid fa-user text-emerald-500"></i>
<span x-text="form.patId ? 'Edit Patient' : 'New Patient'"></span>
</h3>
<div class="py-4">
<!-- First Name -->
<div class="form-control mb-4">
<label class="label">
<span class="label-text font-medium">First Name <span class="text-red-500">*</span></span>
</label>
<input type="text" class="input input-bordered" x-model="form.firstName" />
<span class="text-error text-xs mt-1" x-text="errors.firstName || ''"></span>
</div>
<!-- Last Name -->
<div class="form-control mb-4">
<label class="label">
<span class="label-text font-medium">Last Name <span class="text-red-500">*</span></span>
</label>
<input type="text" class="input input-bordered" x-model="form.lastName" />
<span class="text-error text-xs mt-1" x-text="errors.lastName || ''"></span>
</div>
<!-- Grid for multiple fields -->
<div class="grid grid-cols-2 gap-4">
<div class="form-control">
<label class="label">
<span class="label-text font-medium">Birth Date</span>
</label>
<input type="date" class="input input-bordered" x-model="form.birthDate" />
</div>
<div class="form-control">
<label class="label">
<span class="label-text font-medium">Sex</span>
</label>
<select class="select select-bordered" x-model="form.sex">
<option value="M">Male</option>
<option value="F">Female</option>
</select>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="modal-action">
<button class="btn btn-ghost" @click="closeModal()">Cancel</button>
<button class="btn bg-emerald-600 text-white" @click="save()">
<i class="fa-solid fa-save mr-1"></i> Save
</button>
</div>
</div>
<div class="modal-backdrop bg-slate-900/50" @click="closeModal()"></div>
</dialog>
3. Naming Conventions
3.1 Files & Directories
| Type | Convention | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Views | snake_case |
patients_index.php |
| Dialogs | dialog_[name].php |
dialog_form.php |
| Drawers | drawer_[name].php |
drawer_filter.php |
| Controllers | PascalCase |
PatientsController.php |
| Models | PascalCase |
PatientsModel.php |
3.2 Variables & Keys
| Context | Convention | Example |
|---|---|---|
| PHP/Database | snake_case |
pat_id, first_name |
| JavaScript | camelCase |
patId, firstName |
| Alpine.js x-data | camelCase |
showModal, fetchList |
3.3 Primary Keys
Use format: {table_singular}_id
| Table | Primary Key |
|---|---|
patients |
pat_id |
requests |
request_id |
master_tests |
test_id |
4. Database Conventions
4.1 Standard Columns
Every table should have:
`created_at` DATETIME,
`updated_at` DATETIME,
`deleted_at` DATETIME -- Soft deletes
4.2 Status Codes (Single Character)
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
P |
Pending |
I |
In Progress |
C |
Completed |
V |
Validated |
X |
Cancelled |
5. UI/UX Guidelines
5.1 Color Palette
| Purpose | Color | TailwindCSS |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Action | Emerald | bg-emerald-600 |
| Secondary | Slate | bg-slate-800 |
| Danger | Red | bg-red-500 |
| Info | Blue | bg-blue-500 |
| Warning | Amber | bg-amber-500 |
5.2 Component Patterns
- Cards:
bg-white rounded-xl border border-slate-100 shadow-sm - Buttons: Use DaisyUI
btnwith custom colors - Inputs: Use DaisyUI
input input-bordered - Modals: Use DaisyUI
modalwith custom backdrop
5.3 Icons
Use FontAwesome 7 with consistent sizing:
- Navigation:
text-sm - Buttons: Default size
- Headers:
text-lgtotext-2xl
6. Common Helpers
6.1 camel_to_snake_array (PHP Helper)
Convert JavaScript camelCase keys to PHP snake_case:
function camel_to_snake_array(array $data): array {
$result = [];
foreach ($data as $key => $value) {
$snakeKey = strtolower(preg_replace('/[A-Z]/', '_$0', lcfirst($key)));
$result[$snakeKey] = is_array($value) ? camel_to_snake_array($value) : $value;
}
return $result;
}
6.2 base_url() Usage
Always use base_url() for asset and API paths:
// In PHP
<link href="<?=base_url();?>assets/css/output.css" rel="stylesheet" />
// In JavaScript (via global variable)
<script>window.BASEURL = "<?=base_url();?>";</script>
7. Quick Reference: Creating a New Module
Step 1: Create Route
// app/Config/Routes.php
$routes->get('/products', 'PagesController::products');
$routes->get('api/products', 'ProductsController::index');
$routes->get('api/products/(:num)', 'ProductsController::show/$1');
$routes->post('api/products', 'ProductsController::create');
$routes->patch('api/products/(:num)', 'ProductsController::update/$1');
Step 2: Create Model
// app/Models/ProductsModel.php
namespace App\Models;
class ProductsModel extends BaseModel {
protected $table = 'products';
protected $primaryKey = 'product_id';
protected $allowedFields = ['name', 'sku', 'price'];
}
Step 3: Create Controller
Copy pattern from PatientsController.php or RequestsController.php.
Step 4: Create View
Create app/Views/products/products_index.php following the page view pattern.
Step 5: Create Dialog
Create app/Views/products/dialog_form.php for add/edit modal.
Step 6: Add to Navigation
Update app/Views/layout/main_layout.php sidebar.
8. Things to Avoid
- Don't use jQuery - Use Alpine.js or vanilla JS
- Don't over-engineer - Keep it simple
- Don't skip soft deletes - Always use
deleted_at - Don't hardcode URLs - Use
base_url()andBASEURL - Don't mix concerns - Controllers handle HTTP, Models handle data
- Don't create separate JS files for each page - Keep JS inline in views for simplicity
9. Checklist Before Deploying
- All routes added to
Routes.php - API responses follow standard format
- Form validation in both frontend and backend
- Error handling with user-friendly messages
- Loading states for async operations
- Responsive design tested
- README.md updated