Monitor HTTP Interactions with Laravel's New Http::record() Method

Laravel introduces a powerful new tool for HTTP debugging with the Http::record() method, allowing you to inspect real HTTP requests while maintaining actual external service communication.

use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Http;

// Start recording HTTP interactions
Http::record();

// Make actual HTTP requests
Http::get('https://example.com/api/users');
Http::post('https://example.com/api/orders', ['product_id' => 123]);

// Access the recorded requests and responses
Http::recorded(function ($request, $response) {
    // Analyze request/response details
});

Unlike Http::fake() which prevents actual external communication, this method gives you visibility into real requests while letting them execute normally.

public function testProductApiIntegration()
{
    // Start recording HTTP interactions
    Http::record();
    
    // Perform the actual operation that makes API calls
    $result = $this->app->make(ProductService::class)->syncWithExternalApi();
    
    // Verify the operation was successful
    $this->assertTrue($result);
    
    // Now verify the HTTP interactions
    $apiCallCount = 0;
    $allStatusCodesSuccessful = true;
    
    Http::recorded(function ($request, $response) use (&$apiCallCount, &$allStatusCodesSuccessful) {
        $apiCallCount++;
        
        // Check response status
        if ($response->status() >= 400) {
            $allStatusCodesSuccessful = false;
        }
        
        // Log the interaction for debugging
        Log::debug('API Call', [
            'url' => $request->url(),
            'method' => $request->method(),
            'status' => $response->status()
        ]);
    });
    
    $this->assertGreaterThan(0, $apiCallCount, 'No API calls were made');
    $this->assertTrue($allStatusCodesSuccessful, 'Some API calls failed');
}

This approach is invaluable for integration testing, debugging external API communications, auditing API usage, and monitoring third-party service performance - all without interrupting the normal flow of your application. By allowing inspection without modification, Http::record() fills an important gap between fully mocked tests and unmonitored live API interactions.