Models

Models validate themselves with watson/validating

Models carry their own validation: use Watson\Validating\ValidatingTrait plus a protected $rules array. $model->save() returns false when validation fails and $model->getErrors() holds the messages.

This is a second layer on top of the Form Request, not a replacement for it.

Declare a presenter on the model

A model that renders in the UI sets protected $presenter = \App\Presenters\<Entity>Presenter::class and use App\Presenters\Presentable, exposing $model->present().

Share model behavior through opt-in traits

Cross-cutting model behavior comes from traits in app/Models/Traits, opted into per model: CompanyableTrait (FMCS scoping), Loggable (action log), Searchable (API/datatable search), Requestable, Acceptable, HasUploads.

Add behavior as a trait rather than pushing it into a base class.

Casts go in the $casts property

Declare casts with protected $casts = [...], not a casts() method, even though Laravel 12 supports the method form.