When configuring dependencies in composer.json files, follow these guidelines to ensure maintainable and reliable configurations: 1. **Only include direct dependencies**: Add dependencies only when they are directly used by your package. If a dependency is accessed through another package, don't include it directly. ```json // AVOID - including unused direct dependencies { "require": { "illuminate/contracts": "^12.0", "psr/simple-cache": "^1.0|^2.0|^3.0" // Already included via illuminate/contracts } } // BETTER - only include what you directly use { "require": { "illuminate/contracts": "^12.0" } } ``` 2. **Use appropriate dependency categories**: Place non-essential extensions and packages in the "suggest" section rather than "require" when they're only needed for optional features. ```json // BETTER - use suggest for optional dependencies { "require": { "php": "^8.2" }, "suggest": { "ext-zlib": "For compression features", "spatie/fork": "For alternative concurrency driver" } } ``` 3. **Evaluate maintainer activity**: Before adding third-party dependencies, consider the package's maintenance status. For critical functionality, prefer actively maintained packages or consider implementing the functionality internally if maintenance is questionable. 4. **Use proper version constraints**: Format version constraints consistently and appropriately (use pipe | without spaces) and ensure they're compatible with all other dependencies. ```json // AVOID "laravel/serializable-closure": "^2.0@dev", "laravel/prompts": "^0.1.20 || ^0.2 || ^0.3" // BETTER "laravel/serializable-closure": "^1.3|^2.0", "laravel/prompts": "^0.1.20|^0.2|^0.3" ``` Following these practices helps maintain reliable, clearly defined configuration files that minimize surprises during updates and installations.