How do you build a Laravel API?

Our process is six steps. One, discovery and architecture (endpoint inventory, auth model, data shape). Two, OpenAPI specification and database schema sign off. Three, build in feature branches with Pest tests on every endpoint and Larastan static analysis. Four, integration and load testing on staging. Five, deploy through Forge, Vapor, or GitHub Actions with versioning and rate limiting. Six, post launch monitoring with Pulse, Telescope, and SLA support.