Updating a live application.
WHAT TO PREPARE
A tested change A backup of files and database A way to revert
WHAT ORDER TO FOLLOW
Back up Deploy code Install dependencies Run migrations Rebuild caches Restart queue workers Verify
WHY THAT ORDER
Dependencies before migrations, migrations before cache rebuild, verification last.
WHAT TO PREFER FOR DEPLOYING CODE
Pulling from version control.
WHY
Repeatable and traceable, and it avoids uploading the wrong files.
WHAT NOT TO UPLOAD
The environment file Dependencies, if installing on the server Development files
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Maintenance mode, during anything that takes time.
WHAT TO VERIFY AFTERWARDS
The site loads Key functions work The log is clean Scheduled tasks still run Mail still sends The storage link still exists
WHAT NOT TO DO
Edit code directly on the server Deploy untested changes Deploy at a busy time
