# Queue & Job Best Practices

## Set `retry_after` Greater Than `timeout`

If `retry_after` is shorter than the job's `timeout`, the queue worker re-dispatches the job while it's still running, causing duplicate execution.

Incorrect (`retry_after` ≤ `timeout`):
```php
class ProcessReport implements ShouldQueue
{
    public $timeout = 120;
}

// config/queue.php — retry_after: 90 ← job retried while still running!
```

Correct (`retry_after` > `timeout`):
```php
class ProcessReport implements ShouldQueue
{
    public $timeout = 120;
}

// config/queue.php — retry_after: 180 ← safely longer than any job timeout
```

## Use Exponential Backoff

Use progressively longer delays between retries to avoid hammering failing services.

Incorrect (fixed retry interval):
```php
class SyncWithStripe implements ShouldQueue
{
    public $tries = 3;
    // Default: retries immediately, overwhelming the API
}
```

Correct (exponential backoff):
```php
class SyncWithStripe implements ShouldQueue
{
    public $tries = 3;
    public $backoff = [1, 5, 10];
}
```

## Implement `ShouldBeUnique`

Prevent duplicate job processing.

```php
class GenerateInvoice implements ShouldQueue, ShouldBeUnique
{
    public function uniqueId(): string
    {
        return $this->order->id;
    }

    public $uniqueFor = 3600;
}
```

## Always Implement `failed()`

Handle errors explicitly — don't rely on silent failure.

```php
public function failed(?Throwable $exception): void
{
    $this->podcast->update(['status' => 'failed']);
    Log::error('Processing failed', ['id' => $this->podcast->id, 'error' => $exception->getMessage()]);
}
```

## Rate Limit External API Calls in Jobs

Use `RateLimited` middleware to throttle jobs calling third-party APIs.

```php
public function middleware(): array
{
    return [new RateLimited('external-api')];
}
```

## Batch Related Jobs

Use `Bus::batch()` when jobs should succeed or fail together.

```php
Bus::batch([
    new ImportCsvChunk($chunk1),
    new ImportCsvChunk($chunk2),
])
->then(fn (Batch $batch) => Notification::send($user, new ImportComplete))
->catch(fn (Batch $batch, Throwable $e) => Log::error('Batch failed'))
->dispatch();
```

## `retryUntil()` Needs `$tries = 0`

When using time-based retry limits, set `$tries = 0` to avoid premature failure.

```php
public $tries = 0;

public function retryUntil(): \DateTimeInterface
{
    return now()->addHours(4);
}
```

## Use `ShouldBeUniqueUntilProcessing` for Early Lock Release

`ShouldBeUnique` holds the lock until the job completes. `ShouldBeUniqueUntilProcessing` releases it when processing starts, allowing new instances to queue.

```php
class UpdateSearchIndex implements ShouldQueue, ShouldBeUniqueUntilProcessing
{
    // Lock releases when processing begins, not when it finishes
}
```

## Use Horizon for Complex Queue Scenarios

Use Laravel Horizon when you need monitoring, auto-scaling, failure tracking, or multiple queues with different priorities.

```php
// config/horizon.php
'environments' => [
    'production' => [
        'supervisor-1' => [
            'connection' => 'redis',
            'queue' => ['high', 'default', 'low'],
            'balance' => 'auto',
            'minProcesses' => 1,
            'maxProcesses' => 10,
            'tries' => 3,
        ],
    ],
],
```