Validation & Testing

#Validating Your Plugin

Before building, validate your plugin to catch common issues:

php artisan native:plugin:validate

This checks:

• Manifest syntax and required fields
• Bridge function declarations match native code
• Hook commands are registered and exist
• Declared assets are present

#Common Validation Errors

"Bridge function not found in native code"

Your manifest declares a function, but the Swift or Kotlin implementation is missing or named differently. Check that class names and function names match exactly.

"Invalid manifest JSON"

Your nativephp.json has a syntax error. Check for trailing commas, missing quotes, or unclosed brackets.

"Hook command not registered"

The manifest references an Artisan command that isn't registered in your service provider. Make sure native:plugin:make-hook has updated your service provider, or add it manually.

#Testing During Development

#Test PHP Code

Your PHP facades and event handling work like any Laravel code. Write standard PHPUnit tests:

public function test_plugin_facade_is_accessible()
{
    $this->assertInstanceOf(MyPlugin::class, app(MyPlugin::class));
}

#Test Native Code

Native code can only be tested by running the app. Use this workflow:

1. Install your plugin locally via path repository
2. Run php artisan native:run
3. Trigger your plugin's functionality in the app
4. Check the console output for errors

#Debugging Tips

Plugin not discovered?

• Verify composer.json has "type": "nativephp-plugin"
• Run composer dump-autoload
• Check php artisan native:plugin:list

Native function not found at runtime?

• Rebuild the app after changing native code
• Check the manifest's function names match exactly
• Verify the Kotlin package name is correct

Events not firing?

• Confirm you're dispatching on the main thread
• Check the event class name matches the manifest
• Verify the #[OnNative] attribute uses the correct class

#Official Plugins & Dev Kit

Skip the debugging — browse ready-made plugins or get the Dev Kit to build your own. Visit the NativePHP Plugin Marketplace →