Middleware in Laravel is a mechanism for filtering HTTP requests that are used to check or modify requests before a request arrives at a route, or to adjust before a response returns to the browser. It is divided into two types: global middleware and routing middleware. The former is applied to all requests, and the latter is applied to specific routes only. You can create custom middleware through php artisan make:middleware and write logical processing requests in the handle() method, such as verifying user permissions. After creation, you need to register in Kernel.php and apply to the specific route through ->middleware(). Middleware can receive parameters or be used in groups for more flexible control. When using it, you should pay attention to keeping the middleware lightweight to ensure performance optimization.
Laravel middleware works like a filter for HTTP requests entering your application. It gives you a way to inspect or modify the request before it gets to your routes, or to change the response before it's sent back to the browser. Think of it as a series of layers a request must pass through — each one can decide whether to let it continue, stop it entirely (like blocking unauthorized access), or even tweak things Along the way.

What is Middleware in Laravel?
Middleware in Laravel is essentially a mechanism that sits between an incoming request and your application logic. It's used to handle common tasks such as authentication, logging, CORS handling, and more.
Each middleware layer can either:

- Allow the request to proceed to the next layer
- Return a response immediately (eg, redirect or error)
- Modify the request or response
For example, Laravel includes a built-in middleware that checks if a user is authenticated. If not, it redirects them to the login page.
You'll typically find middleware in the app/Http/Middleware
directory.

How to Create and Use Custom Middleware
If you need custom behavior for certain routes — say, checking if a user has admin privileges — you can create your own middleware.
To generate middleware:
php artisan make:middleware CheckAdmin
This creates a new file in the Middleware folder. Inside the handle()
method, you can add your logic:
public function handle($request, Closure $next) { if (! $request->user()->isAdmin()) { return redirect('home'); } return $next($request); }
After writing the logic, register the middleware:
- In
app/Http/Kernel.php
, add it to either$middleware
(global) or$routeMiddleware
(for route-specific use)
Then apply it to a route:
Route::get('/admin', function () { // Only accessible by admins })->middleware('check.admin');
Types of Middleware in Laravel
There are two main types of middleware in Laravel:
1. Global Middleware
Runs on every request. Useful for things like logging or setting up global session data.
2. Route Middleware
Applied only to specific routes. Perfect for role-based access control or feature toggles.
Also worth mentioning:
- You can assign multiple middlewares to a single route
- Middlewares run in the order they're assigned
- You can short-circuit the process at any point by returning a response early
Middleware Parameters and Groups
Sometimes you need to pass parameters to your middleware — like checking for a specific permission.
In your route:
->middleware('role:editor');
In the middleware:
public function handle($request, Closure $next, $role) { if (! $request->user()->hasRole($role)) { return redirect('home'); } return $next($request); }
You can also group middleware for cleaner route definitions. For example, applying both auth
and role:admin
together under a name like admin.auth
.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
- Middleware should be lightweight — avoid doing heavy processing unless necessary
- Always remember to return
$next($request)
unless you want to block the request - Order matters when stacking multiple middlewares
- Use middleware sparingly on high-traffic routes to keep performance optimal
Basically that's it. Middleware is a very practical part of Laravel request processing flow, and understanding how it works gives you more flexibility in controlling request and response flow.
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