Using Traits implement Activity Log in Laravel

Laravel Tip: Add Activity Logs to Any Model with a Simple Trait

Instead of repeating “who updated what” code in every model, push it into a Trait. Then enable logging by dropping that Trait onto a model — done!

1. Create the Migration

php artisan make:migration create_activity_logs_table
Schema::create('activity_logs', function (Blueprint $table) {
    $table->id();
    $table->string('model');
    $table->unsignedBigInteger('model_id');
    $table->string('action');
    $table->json('changes')->nullable();
    $table->unsignedBigInteger('user_id')->nullable();
    $table->timestamps();
});

2. Make the Trait

namespace App\Traits;
use App\Models\ActivityLog;
trait LogsActivity
{
    public static function bootLogsActivity(): void
    {
        static::created(function ($model) {
            $model->writeActivity('created', $model->getAttributes());
        });
        static::updated(function ($model) {
            $model->writeActivity('updated', $model->getChanges());
        });
        static::deleted(function ($model) {
            $model->writeActivity('deleted');
        });
    }
    protected function writeActivity(string $action, array $changes = []): void
    {
        ActivityLog::create([
            'model'    => static::class,
            'model_id' => $this->getKey(),
            'action'   => $action,
            'changes'  => json_encode($changes),
            'user_id'  => auth()->id(),
        ]);
    }
}

3. Apply to Any Model

use App\Traits\LogsActivity;
class Post extends Model
{
    use LogsActivity;
    protected $fillable = ['title', 'content'];
}

Every create, update, or delete on Post now leaves a record in activity_logs.

Drop the same Trait on User, Order, or any model — no extra wiring.

Why This Rocks

• Zero copy-paste across models
• Centralized, testable logging logic
• Perfect foundation for an “Audit Trail” UI