Feature for Scheduling Deployments

[rjsamra]

Description:

It would be highly beneficial to introduce a feature that allows users to schedule deployments using the Laravel Deploy package. This feature would enable automated deployments at specified times, reducing manual intervention and ensuring deployments happen during off-peak hours or in maintenance windows.

Proposed Feature:

1. Scheduling Interface:

   • Provide a CLI command to schedule deployments (e.g., php artisan deploy:schedule).
   • Allow users to specify the time, frequency, and deployment script to be executed.

2. Support for Common Schedules:

   • Implement support for common cron-like schedules (e.g., daily, weekly, specific days of the week, etc.).
   • Include an option for custom cron expressions for advanced users.

3. Integration with Task Scheduler:

   • Leverage Laravel's Task Scheduling capabilities to manage and execute the deployment schedule.
   • Ensure compatibility with existing Laravel cron setup (php artisan schedule:run).

4. Notification System:

   • Optionally send notifications upon successful or failed scheduled deployments via email, Slack, or other channels.
   • Allow users to configure their preferred notification methods in the deploy.php config file.

Use Cases:

• Automated Nightly Deployments: Schedule deployments to happen every night, minimizing disruption during peak hours.
• Weekend Deployments: Set up deployments for weekends when traffic is typically lower.
• Rolling Out Updates: Automatically deploy critical updates at specified intervals without manual input.

Benefits:

• Efficiency: Reduces the need for manual deployment, especially for routine updates.
• Reliability: Ensures deployments happen consistently and at the right time, minimizing the risk of human error.
• Scalability: Supports environments where multiple deployments are needed across different schedules or branches.

Additional Considerations:

• Ensure that scheduled deployments have proper error handling and rollback mechanisms.
• Allow users to override or cancel scheduled deployments if needed.

References:

• Consider similar scheduling features in other deployment tools for inspiration.
• Leverage Laravel's built-in scheduling and notification systems for a seamless integration.

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