Spatie has released Scotty, a modern SSH task runner designed to replace Laravel Envoy for developers who prefer manual deployments. The tool supports both Laravel's Blade format and a new plain bash format, offering real-time execution feedback and the ability to pause deployments mid-process. Built with AI assistance using Envoy's codebase as a foundation, Scotty represents a spiritual fork of the popular Laravel tool.

Scotty addresses a common pain point for developers who deploy to their own servers rather than relying on managed services. While tools like Laravel Forge offer built-in deployment functionality, many developers prefer the transparency of running scripts directly from their terminal. The tool displays each task's name, step counter, elapsed time, and currently executing command, providing a clean interface that shows exactly what's happening during deployment.

Key features include pretend mode for dry runs, summary mode for cleaner output, and a doctor command that validates SSH connectivity and required tools before deployment. The bash format uses simple annotation comments rather than Blade syntax, making it accessible to developers who prefer standard shell scripting. Tasks can be paused with the 'p' key and resumed with Enter, offering granular control during complex deployments. The tool is available on GitHub with full documentation at Spatie's docs site.