Issues with php artisan key:generate

[zavre-c]

Pretext: It is discouraged to cache config in development.
cache is stored in bootstrap/cache/ although it is git ignored

You might run into trouble if you have cached the config.
Ref: #20719
Comment

Scenario: Might want to make docker image locally and have accidentally cache the config

Steps:

1. have .env with correct key in place (eg. new laravel proj)
2. php artisan config:cache
3. remove the key from APP_KEY (eg. replacing .env with something .env.backup)
4. php artisan key:generate
5. will say Application key set successfully but it isn't actually set in the .env file it is in the cached file

Issue: Key Replacement pattern looks for the earlier set app.key to replace which is currently not in the .env

    protected function keyReplacementPattern()
    {
        // here the $this->laravel['config']['app.key'] has the older cached key which it is tryna replace in .env
        $escaped = preg_quote('='.$this->laravel['config']['app.key'], '/');

        return "/^APP_KEY{$escaped}/m";
    }

framework/src/Illuminate/Foundation/Console/KeyGenerateCommand.php

Line 107 in 37ba32d

$escaped = preg_quote('='.$this->laravel['config']['app.key'], '/');

Source

Possible Solutions:

1. do not cache in development
2. run php artisan optimize:clear then generate the key
3. Replace the key in the .env respective of what value it holds

If in docker's perspective add bootstrap/cache to your .dockerignore

Thank You