Laravel Models

Models represent database tables and domain entities.

Related guides:

• Query Builders - Custom query builders (not scopes)
• Actions - Actions contain business logic
• DTOs - Casting model JSON columns to DTOs

Philosophy

Models should:

• Use custom query builders (not local scopes) - see Query Builders
• Define relationships
• Define casts
• Contain simple accessors/mutators
• NOT contain business logic (that belongs in Actions)
• Prefer PHP attributes over properties/methods where available (Laravel 12+ for #[UseEloquentBuilder], Laravel 13+ for #[Table], #[ObservedBy], #[UsePolicy], #[UseFactory], etc.)