- Install AdminLTE 3.2 core dependencies (jQuery, Bootstrap 4, Popper.js) via npm.
- Integrate FontAwesome Free icons for dashboard and administrative UI.
- Create resources/js/admin.js to bundle jQuery and AdminLTE JS components.
- Create resources/css/admin.css to import AdminLTE and FontAwesome styles.
- Update vite.config.js to include admin-specific entry points for assets.
- Build production-ready assets using Vite for the new dashboard interface.
- Create layouts/admin.blade.php as a reusable base template with sidebar and navbar.
- Create Admin\DashboardController to aggregate statistics (Users, Products, Categories).
- Design the dashboard home view with info boxes displaying real-time data counts.
- Build a custom Login page using AdminLTE styling for administrative access.
- Create AuthController to manage session-based login, authentication, and logout.
- Configure automatic redirect from root URL (/) to the login page.
- Secure all admin dashboard routes using Laravel's auth middleware.
- Create Api\AuthController to support JWT-based authentication for API v4.
- Update routes/api.php with new controller namespaces and JWT guard protection.
- Create Admin\CategoryController with complete CRUD operations and image upload handling.
- Design the Category index view with a table, status badges, and action buttons.
- Create the Category create form with validation for name, description, and images.
- Create the Category edit form with existing data loading and image preview.
- Integrate Category Management into the sidebar navigation with active state.
- Implement a secure logout mechanism in the sidebar with a CSRF-protected form.